Grape poisoning is unpredictable. Some dogs eat grapes without problems while others develop kidney injury from small amounts, and toxicity doesn't appear to depend simply on dose. Tartaric acid is the suspected cause, but this hasn't been proven. Vomiting, often within hours, is usually the first sign, followed by kidney damage over the next one to three days. Raisins are concentrated, so they're at least as dangerous as fresh grapes, and baked goods such as raisin bread, fruit cake and trail mix count too.
No: toxic
No. Grapes, raisins, sultanas and currants can cause sudden kidney failure in dogs, and there's no known safe amount: some dogs have become seriously ill after eating only a few. If your dog ate any, call your vet or a poison line now.
This guide is general information, not a diagnosis. If your pet seems unwell, or you're worried, call your vet.
Why grapes are dangerous for dogs
If your dog ate some
- Call your vet, an emergency clinic or a pet poison line straight away, even if your pet seems fine. Many poisonings are easier to treat before signs appear.
- In the US: ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661. Both may charge a consultation fee.
- Note what was eaten, roughly how much and when, and keep the packaging.
- Don't make your pet vomit unless a vet tells you to; it isn't always safe.
- Treat it as an emergency, however few grapes or raisins your dog ate.
- Your vet may make your dog vomit and give activated charcoal, then intravenous fluids and kidney blood tests over the next 48 hours or so.
Signs to watch for
- Vomiting or diarrhoea, sometimes with pieces of grape or raisin
- Lethargy and weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Belly pain
- Drinking and peeing more, then peeing little or nothing (a sign of kidney failure)
Collapse, seizures, difficulty breathing or pale gums are emergencies: go to the nearest vet straight away.
Other foods for dogs
Also no: toxic
Free tools for this
Sources
- Pet Poison Helpline: Raisins
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Grape, raisin and currant poisoning in dogs
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets
We check guides against veterinary sources and update them when guidance changes. How we write and review.
Questions.
Can one grape kill a dog?
It's unlikely but not impossible. There's no established safe dose, and some dogs react to very small amounts, so vets treat any ingestion as an emergency.
Are grape-flavoured treats dangerous?
Artificial grape flavouring doesn't contain grape flesh and isn't thought to be toxic. Real grape juice, raisins and grape-containing foods are.
