The short answer
No. Never. Grapes, raisins, currants, and sultanas are all toxic to dogs and can cause acute kidney failure. There is no safe amount. If your dog ate grapes or raisins, call your vet or an emergency clinic immediately.
Why grapes are dangerous
Grapes and raisins cause acute kidney injury in dogs. The suspected toxic compound is tartaric acid, though research is ongoing and individual dogs vary widely in sensitivity. Some dogs eat a few grapes and develop kidney failure within 72 hours. Others eat more and show fewer symptoms. There’s no way to predict which category your dog falls into, which is why the only safe amount is zero.
In one veterinary study, roughly half of dogs presenting after grape or raisin ingestion developed kidney failure. Those are not odds worth testing.
Raisins are more concentrated than grapes and potentially more dangerous by weight. Grape juice, wine, and foods containing grapes or raisins (trail mix, baked goods, cereal) all carry the same risk.
Symptoms to watch for
Vomiting is usually the first sign, occurring within 24 hours in about 80% of dogs. After that, watch for loss of appetite, lethargy, abdominal pain, decreased urination, excessive thirst, and dehydration. If your dog stops urinating, that’s a sign of kidney shutdown and is a critical emergency.
What to do if your dog ate grapes
Call your veterinarian or the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) immediately. Time matters. If caught early (within 1 to 2 hours of ingestion), your vet may induce vomiting to remove the grapes before they’re fully absorbed. After that, treatment involves IV fluids, kidney function monitoring, and supportive care.
If this happens outside regular clinic hours, go to the nearest emergency veterinary hospital. Do not wait until morning.
Do not try to induce vomiting at home without veterinary guidance. Hydrogen peroxide can cause additional problems if used incorrectly.
What about other fruits?
Plenty of fruits are safe for dogs: strawberries, blueberries, watermelon (without seeds and rind), bananas, and apples (without seeds). Grapes and raisins are the major exception. For the full list of dangerous foods, see our post on human foods that are toxic to dogs.
Key takeaways
- Grapes, raisins, currants, and sultanas are toxic to dogs. There is no safe amount.
- In veterinary case studies, roughly half of dogs presenting after ingestion developed kidney failure.
- Vomiting within 24 hours is the most common first sign.
- Call your vet or the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) immediately if your dog eats any amount.
- Many other fruits are perfectly safe. Grapes are the exception, not the rule.
References
- Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. “Grape and Raisin Toxicity.” vet.cornell.edu
- VCA Animal Hospitals. “Grape, Raisin, and Currant Poisoning in Dogs.” vcahospitals.com
- Merck Veterinary Manual. “Grape, Raisin, and Tamarind Toxicosis in Dogs.” merckvetmanual.com
- PMC. “Toxicosis With Grapes or Raisins Causing Acute Kidney Injury.” pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov