Can Dogs Eat Grapes? What About Raisins? Let's Talk to A Vet
Small Animal Relief Veterinarian
Short answer? No, grapes are not safe for dogs to eat.
While some fruits and vegetables are safe for dogs to consume in moderation, this snack is extremely dangerous. Grapes and raisins should never be fed to dogs because they cause serious reactions that can quickly turn fatal.
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Table of Contents:
Symptoms of Grape Toxicity in Dogs
If you suspect your pup has accidentally ingested grapes or raisins, here are the common symptoms to look out for:
- Loss of appetite
- Inactivity, lethargy, and general body weakness
- Diarrhea and/or vomiting, mostly a few hours after ingestion
- Unusually tender abdomen
- Abdominal pain
- Pale gums, dry nose, and panting, which are symptoms of dehydration
- Increased thirst accompanied by high urine production
- Little to no urine production
NOTE: If you suspect your dog has accidentally eaten raisins or grapes, reach out to a local vet immediately.
How Long After Eating Grapes Will My Dog Start Developing Health Issues?
Some dogs start showing signs of illness approximately two to six hours after ingesting grapes, while others might not develop any signs until later. In the worst cases, some dogs develop severe kidney failure one to three days after eating grapes.
This stage is fatal. The dog is always thirsty, only pees a little or not at all, and appears lifeless.
Should your four-legged friend ingest even a single grape, contact your vet immediately. They will help you induce vomiting to help remove the grapes from the dog's system.
My Dog Ate a Grape But Seems Okay
If you suspect that your pup ingested a grape, the first step is to contact your vet as soon as possible, even when your dog seems okay. Some dogs may take longer to develop or show signs of illness after ingesting a grape.
We recommend that you speak to your vet to clear any doubts and avoid any unpleasant surprises.
Can One Grape Kill a Dog?
Unfortunately, yes. Even a single grape is enough to cause adverse reactions that can translate to acute kidney failure in dogs. We have yet to uncover why grapes are so toxic to dogs, but research finds they cause serious damage. The age, breed, or sex of the dog does not influence the risk of being affected.
All types of grapes pose potential health risks to your dog. These include red grapes, green grapes, and dried and seedless grapes. Therefore, you must keep grapes and any food potentially containing this fruit as far away from your four-legged friend as possible.
How to Prevent Grape Poisoning in Dogs
- Never give fresh or dried grapes to your dogs as a treat.
- First, keep grapes, raisins, and any food that might contain grapes far from the dog's reach.
- When enjoying your bowl of grapes and dried fruit, ensure none of them fall on the floor.
- Educate your household on the dangers that grapes pose to dogs.
- Ensure that your children eat their grapes away from the dog. Once they are done, check to ensure that no grapes have been left behind.
Common Foods That May Contain Grapes
You might be surprised to learn that dried grapes — including sultanas, raisins, and currants — are present in many food ingredients, especially holiday foods.
Be careful, as these are even more dangerous to dogs than fresh grapes. If your dog tries to eat a piece of turkey from your meal, he or she could experience toxicosis if one of these common desserts is on your plate:
- Christmas cake
- Hot cross buns
- Mince pies
- Simnel cake
- Christmas pudding
- Fruit panettone
- Fruit cake
- Fruit scones
PRO TIP: Pet insurance can reimburse you for unexpected veterinary costs related to poisoning. Please consider enrolling in coverage before it's too late.
Key Takeaways
- Grapes and raisins are not safe for dogs to eat.
- Even a single grape can have severe implications on your dog's health.
- Common symptoms of grape poisoning in dogs include loss of appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, or both, inactivity, lethargy, abdominal pain, dehydration, little to no urine production, and, in severe cases, death.
- Pet insurance can help you handle emergencies such as grape poisoning, among other unexpected veterinary bills.
- If you suspect your pet has accidentally eaten a grape, act quickly and contact your vet for a thorough check-up.
If you would like to see which other foods are good for your dog, read this list of human foods dogs can eat as well as ones they cannot.
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Small Animal Relief Veterinarian
Lila Batiari, DVM is a relief veterinarian located in San Diego, California. She has a special interest in nutrition, pain management, and surgery! Dr. Batiari enjoys working with Pawlicy Advisor to help others avoid everyday situations that some of her clientele experience. She realizes that expensive vet bills for treatment costs could be much easier for patients with pet insurance.
