Can Dogs Eat Grapes? TOXIC - Complete Emergency Guide

NO! Grapes and raisins are HIGHLY TOXIC to dogs and can cause fatal kidney failure. Learn emergency first aid, symptoms timeline, treatment options, and safe fruit alternatives.

Written by: Dr. James Peterson, DVM, DACVIM (Emergency & Critical Care Specialist)

Medically Reviewed by: Dr. Sarah Mitchell, DVM, ACVN (Veterinary Nutritionist)

Published: November 27, 2025 · Last Updated: November 27, 2025 · 12 min read

✅ Fact-Checked by PawPulse Veterinary Editorial Team

🚨 CRITICAL EMERGENCY ALERT

NO! GRAPES AND RAISINS ARE HIGHLY TOXIC TO DOGS.

Even small amounts can cause acute kidney failure and death. If your dog has eaten ANY grapes or raisins, contact your veterinarian or pet poison control IMMEDIATELY—do NOT wait for symptoms.

EMERGENCY CONTACTS:

📞 ASPCA Poison Control: (888) 426-4435
📞 Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661
📞 Your Emergency Vet (save the number now!)

Emergency Veterinarian's Warning

"In my 20+ years as an emergency veterinarian, grape toxicity remains one of the most unpredictable and deadly conditions I treat. I've seen a Great Dane survive eating a whole bunch of grapes, and a Labrador die from just 5 raisins. There's no way to predict which dogs will be affected—that's why every single exposure must be treated as a potential emergency. When a dog comes in having eaten grapes, we treat it with the same urgency as if they'd been hit by a car."

— Dr. James Peterson, DVM, DACVIM, Emergency & Critical Care Specialist

Quick Answer: NO! Grapes Are Deadly to Dogs

Grapes and raisins are among the most dangerous foods for dogs. Unlike many other foods where "moderation" is key, there is NO safe amount of grapes for dogs. Even a single grape can potentially cause acute kidney failure in some dogs.

This toxicity applies to:

All grape varieties - red, green, seedless, seeded
Raisins - dried grapes are even MORE concentrated and dangerous
Currants - also toxic
Grape juice - contains the same toxic compounds
Wine - toxic (plus alcohol poisoning risk)
Foods containing grapes/raisins - trail mix, cookies, bread, etc.

⚠️ Critical Warning

The ASPCA and AKC both classify grapes as highly toxic to dogs. This is a veterinary emergency—do not wait to see if symptoms develop.

Why Are Grapes Toxic to Dogs?

This is one of veterinary medicine's mysteries. Despite extensive research, the exact toxic substance in grapes has not been definitively identified.

Recent research (2021) suggests the toxin may be tartaric acid, which is found in high concentrations in grapes. However, this hasn't been conclusively proven.

What we DO know:

The toxin affects the kidneys, causing acute kidney injury (AKI)
Toxicity is unpredictable—some dogs are more sensitive than others
There's no correlation between dog size and sensitivity
A small dog might eat grapes with no effect, while a large dog dies from fewer grapes
The same dog might tolerate grapes once but be severely affected the next time

🔬 Why the Mystery Matters

Because we don't know the exact toxin or why some dogs are affected more than others, we must treat ALL grape exposures as potentially fatal. There's no way to predict which dogs will have severe reactions.

Symptoms of Grape Poisoning in Dogs

Symptoms typically appear within 6-24 hours of ingestion. Watch for:

Early Symptoms (Within 6-12 Hours)

Symptom	Description
Vomiting	Often contains grape/raisin pieces
Diarrhea	May also contain grape material
Loss of appetite	Refusing food and treats
Lethargy	Unusual tiredness, weakness
Abdominal pain	Tender belly, reluctance to move

Late/Severe Symptoms (24-72 Hours) - KIDNEY FAILURE

Symptom	What It Means
Decreased urination	Kidneys shutting down
No urination (anuria)	Complete kidney failure - CRITICAL
Excessive thirst	Body trying to flush toxins
Dehydration	Dry gums, sunken eyes
Bad breath (uremic)	Ammonia smell from toxin buildup
Seizures, coma	End-stage kidney failure

What To Do If Your Dog Ate Grapes

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED

Don't wait for symptoms - By the time symptoms appear, kidney damage may already be occurring
Call your vet immediately - Or an emergency vet if after hours
Or call ASPCA Poison Control: (888) 426-4435 (fee applies)
Or Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661
Note the time - When did your dog eat the grapes?
Estimate the amount - How many grapes/raisins?
Don't induce vomiting unless instructed by a vet

Should You Induce Vomiting?

Only if instructed by a veterinarian. If ingestion was recent (within 2 hours) and your dog is conscious and not having seizures, a vet may recommend inducing vomiting with hydrogen peroxide. However:

Never induce vomiting without professional guidance
Incorrect dosing can cause harm
Some situations make vomiting dangerous

How Much Is Dangerous?

There is no established "safe" dose. Toxicity has been reported from:

As few as 4-5 grapes in small dogs
As few as 0.3 oz/kg of raisins (about 3 raisins per pound of body weight)

However, some dogs have eaten large amounts with no effect, while others have died from just a few. This unpredictability is exactly why ALL exposures should be treated as emergencies.

Important Note:

Raisins are MORE dangerous than grapes because they're concentrated. The same amount of raisins contains more toxin than fresh grapes.

Veterinary Treatment

Treatment depends on how quickly you seek help:

If Caught Early (Within 2 Hours)

Induced vomiting to remove grapes from stomach
Activated charcoal to absorb remaining toxins
IV fluids to protect kidneys and flush toxins
Blood work monitoring to check kidney function

If Kidney Damage Has Started

Aggressive IV fluid therapy (48-72 hours hospitalization)
Medications to support kidney function
Anti-nausea medications
Monitoring blood values (BUN, creatinine)
Dialysis in severe cases (if available)

Prognosis

Excellent - If treated within 2 hours before symptoms
Good - If treated early with mild symptoms
Guarded to Poor - If kidney values are elevated
Very Poor - If dog stops producing urine (anuria)

Real Case Studies: Grape Toxicity in Dogs

Case Study #1: The Raisin Cookie Tragedy

Patient: Cooper, 4-year-old Beagle, 28 lbs

What happened: Cooper ate 3 oatmeal raisin cookies from a holiday plate while the family was distracted. Estimated 12-15 raisins.

Timeline:

• 6 hours: Started vomiting, refused dinner
• 12 hours: Owner thought it was "just an upset stomach," gave him water
• 24 hours: Extremely lethargic, not urinating
• 30 hours: Finally brought to emergency vet

Diagnosis: Acute kidney injury (AKI). Blood work showed severely elevated BUN (180 mg/dL, normal 7-27) and creatinine (9.2 mg/dL, normal 0.5-1.8).

Treatment: 5 days intensive IV fluid therapy, peritoneal dialysis, multiple medications.

Outcome: Cooper survived but developed chronic kidney disease requiring special diet and monitoring for life. Vet bill: $8,400.

Dr. Peterson's note: "If the owner had called us immediately instead of waiting 24 hours, we could have induced vomiting and likely prevented kidney damage entirely. Those 24 hours of delay cost Cooper healthy kidneys."

Case Study #2: Quick Action Saves the Day

Patient: Luna, 2-year-old Golden Retriever, 65 lbs

What happened: Luna grabbed 6 grapes that fell on the floor during food prep. Owner saw it happen and called immediately.

Timeline:

• 5 minutes: Owner called ASPCA Poison Control
• 20 minutes: At emergency vet
• 30 minutes: Vomiting induced—all 6 grapes recovered
• 1 hour: Activated charcoal administered, IV fluids started

Treatment: 24-hour hospitalization for IV fluids and monitoring. Blood work at 24 and 48 hours.

Outcome: Luna had no kidney damage. Full recovery. Vet bill: $1,200.

Dr. Peterson's note: "This is exactly how grape ingestion should be handled. The owner didn't try to wait and see—she acted immediately. That 25-minute window before the grapes could be absorbed made all the difference."

Safe Fruit Alternatives

Want to give your dog fruity treats? Try these SAFE options instead:

✅ Safe Fruits

Blueberries - Superfood!
Strawberries
Watermelon (no seeds)
Apples (no seeds)
Bananas
Cantaloupe
Mango (no pit)
Pears (no seeds)

❌ Toxic Fruits

Grapes & Raisins - Kidney failure
Currants - Same toxicity
Cherries - Pits contain cyanide
Avocado - Persin toxicity
Tomatoes (green) - Solanine toxicity
Fruit pits/seeds - Cyanide compounds

Frequently Asked Questions

My dog ate one grape—should I worry?

YES. Call your vet immediately. Even one grape can be toxic to some dogs. Don't wait to see if symptoms develop—early treatment is critical.

My dog ate grapes before and was fine. Is it okay?

NO. Past tolerance doesn't guarantee future safety. Dogs can suddenly develop severe reactions after previous exposures. Never give grapes intentionally.

Are seedless grapes safer?

No. All grape varieties are equally dangerous—red, green, seedless, seeded, organic, or conventional. The toxin is in the grape flesh, not the seeds.

What about grape-flavored products?

Artificial grape flavoring (like in some candies) doesn't contain actual grapes and isn't toxic. However, check for xylitol and other harmful ingredients.

Can dogs eat grape leaves or vines?

While less studied, grape leaves may also be toxic. It's best to keep dogs away from all parts of grape plants.

How much does emergency treatment cost?

Treatment can range from $500-$5,000+ depending on severity and duration of hospitalization. Pet insurance or emergency funds are valuable for situations like this.

The Bottom Line

🚫 NEVER feed grapes or raisins to dogs - No safe amount exists
🚫 All varieties are toxic - Red, green, seedless, seeded
🚫 Raisins are even more dangerous - Concentrated toxicity
⚠️ Symptoms may take hours to appear - Don't wait for them
📞 Call your vet immediately if any exposure occurs
✅ Choose safe alternatives - Blueberries, strawberries, watermelon

Grape toxicity is unpredictable and potentially fatal. When in doubt, always err on the side of caution and contact your veterinarian. Use our Symptom Checker to track any concerning signs.

Emergency Contacts

ASPCA Poison Control: (888) 426-4435
Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661
Your Emergency Vet: Keep the number saved!

Sources & References

• ASPCA Animal Poison Control - Grape Toxicity
• American Kennel Club - Grapes and Dogs
• PetMD - Grape and Raisin Toxicity
• VCA Hospitals - Grape Poisoning in Dogs
• Wegenast CA, et al. (2021). "Acute kidney injury in dogs following ingestion of cream of tartar and tamarinds." Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 259(11), 1335-1340.
• Eubig PA, Brady MS, Gwaltney-Brant SM, et al. (2005). "Acute renal failure in dogs after the ingestion of grapes or raisins." Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 19(5), 663-674.

Emergency Contacts - Save These Numbers!

📞 ASPCA Poison Control: (888) 426-4435
📞 Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661
📞 Your Emergency Vet: _________________ (write it in!)

Medical Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Grape and raisin toxicity is a MEDICAL EMERGENCY. If your dog has ingested grapes or raisins, contact your veterinarian or poison control immediately—do not wait for symptoms to develop.

Affiliate Disclosure: PawPulse may earn commissions from qualifying purchases. This does not affect our editorial recommendations. We only recommend products our veterinary team trusts. Full disclosure.