Can dogs eat grapes?

Quick takeaways about dogs and grapes

• Never feed your dog grapes.
• Grapes, raisins and sultanas could trigger kidney failure.
• Call your vet immediately if your dog has eaten grapes.

Most of us know chocolate is toxic to dogs, but grapes can be just as dangerous.

While delicious and nutritious to us, grapes are poisonous to dogs. Not all dogs react the same way, but even one grape could prove fatal.

If you’re worried your dog has eaten grapes, we outline what toxic reaction symptoms to look out for and what to do if your dog falls ill.

 

Can dogs eat grapes?

No. All kinds of grapes – red, green, seedless, dried or fresh – are harmful to your dog.

What makes grapes poisonous remains a mystery. However, this recent study suggests it’s the high levels of tartaric acid and potassium bitartrate – which dogs are sensitive to – that make them toxic.

 

What about raisins?

Raisins are also toxic, and so are sultanas, currants and any kind of food with grapes like fruit toast, jam or juice.

 

How toxic are grapes and raisins to dogs?

Grapes and raisins are potentially fatal to dogs. Some pooches can digest the fruit unaffected or without real harm, while a grape or two can be detrimental to others.

Grape poisoning damages the kidney and in extreme cases, causes sudden renal failure.

All dogs are potentially sensitive to grapes, regardless of breed, sex or age – there’s no way of finding out how vulnerable your dog is until they eat some.

As there’s no established toxic dose of grapes, there’s no safe dosage either, so don’t feed your dog grapes and act swiftly if you think your dog has accidentally eaten some.

 

What are the symptoms of grape poisoning?

If your dog has eaten grapes, or you suspect they have, the following signs could indicate a toxic reaction:

• A loss of appetite
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Panting, pale gums and other signs of dehydration (which could signal their kidneys are impacted)
• Lethargy
• A change in their drinking or peeing habits
• Tremors or seizures, which could be symptomatic of the onset of kidney failure

 

What to do if your dog eats a grape or raisin

Grape poisoning can come on quickly. Kidney failure can happen within a couple of days and once the kidneys have been affected, the damage could be irreversible.

Call your vet immediately if your dog has eaten grapes, or if you suspect they have.

Your vet will likely ask you to bring your dog in for an examination. After which they might give your dog medication to induce vomiting, give your dog charcoal to soak up the toxins or put them on a drip to rehydrate.

 

Bottom line

Don’t feed your dog grapes, sultanas, or raisins. While some dogs have a more severe reaction to the fruit than others, grapes could potentially trigger kidney failure.

Call the vet immediately if your dog has eaten grapes.

 

Dogs and grapes - FAQs

Can dogs eat red, green, black or seedless grapes?

All varieties of grapes are potentially lethal to dogs including dried, fresh and cooked. Foods made with grapes are also potentially harmful.

 

Why can dogs not eat grapes?

We’re not exactly certain why grapes are toxic to dogs, but it could be down to their high levels of tartaric acid and potassium bitartrate which can bring on renal failure.

 

Can dogs die if they eat grapes?

Sensitivity to grapes varies between individual dogs, but in extreme cases, yes, dogs can die from eating grapes.

 

Try our personalised meal plans with high-quality raw ingredients, including plenty of proteins and vitamins to help keep your dog live healthier and happier.