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Pawrennial

Can dogs eat grapes?

No.

Grapes, raisins, sultanas, and currants can cause sudden kidney failure in dogs. There is no known safe amount: some dogs get sick after just a few, and there's no way to tell in advance which ones will.

Did your dog just eat grapes?

Contact your vet or an emergency vet now, even if your dog seems fine. Treatment works best within a few hours.

Call your vet, an emergency vet, or a 24/7 pet poison line:

US numbers. A consultation fee may apply. Don't try to make your dog vomit unless a vet tells you to.

Open the toxicity checkerAlso checks chocolate by type and amount.

Why are grapes bad for dogs?

Grapes, raisins, sultanas, and Zante currants can damage a dog's kidneys, sometimes causing them to stop working within a few days. Veterinary researchers think the cause is tartaric acid, which dogs are poor at clearing from their bodies, so it builds up in the kidneys.

The amount of tartaric acid varies a lot between grapes, which is why one dog can eat a handful without trouble while another becomes seriously ill after a few. You can't tell which grapes, or which dogs, are risky, so the safe rule is simple: no grapes or raisins, ever.

Signs of grape poisoning in dogs

Most poisoned dogs start vomiting or have diarrhea within 6 to 12 hours. Kidney damage can follow within 1 to 3 days. Watch for:

  • Vomiting or diarrhea, sometimes with pieces of grape or raisin
  • Not eating, low energy, or weakness
  • Belly pain
  • Drinking and peeing much more, then much less or not at all (a serious sign)

Don't wait for these signs. By the time the kidneys stop making urine, treatment is much harder.

What the vet will do

If your dog has just eaten grapes, your vet will usually make them vomit to empty the stomach, and may give activated charcoal. Dogs at risk are often put on intravenous fluids for at least 48 hours to protect the kidneys, with blood tests to check kidney function. Caught early, most dogs recover well.

Bring the packaging, or a note of roughly how many grapes or raisins your dog ate and when. It helps your vet decide how much treatment is needed.

Foods that hide raisins

Many poisonings come from baked goods and snacks, not loose fruit. Keep these out of reach:

  • Raisin bread, bagels, and hot cross buns
  • Cookies, muffins, and granola bars
  • Trail mix and breakfast cereals
  • Fruitcake, mince pies, and Christmas pudding
  • Chocolate-covered raisins (two toxins in one)
  • Fruit salads and lunch-box snacks

Safe fruit treats instead

Plenty of fruits make good occasional treats in small pieces: blueberries, apple slices (no core or seeds), banana, strawberries, and seedless watermelon. Keep treats to about 10 percent of your dog's daily calories.

Helpful tools and guides

Frequently asked questions

How many grapes can kill a dog?

There is no known safe amount. Some dogs eat several grapes with no problems, while others develop kidney failure after just a few. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that more than one grape or raisin per 10 lb of body weight may be enough to cause harm, but because the amount of the toxic substance varies from fruit to fruit, any amount needs a call to your vet.

My dog ate one grape. What should I do?

Call your vet or a 24/7 pet poison line now, even if your dog seems fine. For most dogs a single grape is a small risk, but there is no way to know in advance which dogs are sensitive, and treatment works best when it starts within a few hours. Don't try to make your dog vomit unless a vet tells you to.

Are raisins worse than grapes?

Raisins are dried grapes, so the toxic substance is more concentrated: weight for weight, raisins, sultanas, and Zante currants are more dangerous, and a small handful is a lot of fruit. Treat any amount as an emergency.

Are seedless, organic, or peeled grapes safe for dogs?

No. Poisoning has been seen with seedless and seeded grapes, red and green grapes, and homegrown and store-bought fruit. Peeling them doesn't make them safe.

Can dogs have grape juice, jelly, or wine?

No. Anything made from grapes could contain the toxic substance, and wine also contains alcohol, which is dangerous for dogs. If your dog drinks or eats a grape product, call your vet or a poison line for advice.

Can cats eat grapes?

It's best not to. There are reports of kidney failure in cats and ferrets after eating grapes or raisins, although it is much less documented than in dogs. If your cat eats some, call your vet.

Sources

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