The query of toxicity relating to Maclura pomifera fruit, generally referred to as hedge apples or Osage oranges, and their impact on canines is continuously raised. Whereas the fruit will not be definitively categorized as toxic within the conventional sense, it incorporates compounds that may trigger gastrointestinal upset in canine if ingested.
The first concern stems from the fruit’s dimension and texture. Canine might try and chew or swallow items of the hedge apple, resulting in potential choking hazards or intestinal blockages. Moreover, the sap throughout the fruit will be irritating to a canine’s digestive system, probably leading to vomiting or diarrhea. Traditionally, there have been anecdotal reviews of antagonistic reactions, although scientific proof supporting widespread systemic toxicity is missing.
