Your dog ate grapes, raisins, or currants. Is it dangerous? Enter your dog's weight and what was eaten for a risk assessment based on veterinary case data from the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center and published case series.
If your dog is vomiting, lethargic, or not urinating — go to an emergency vet immediately.
ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435 · Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661 (fees may apply)
There is NO confirmed safe dose of grapes or raisins for dogs.
Unlike chocolate, grape toxicity is idiosyncratic — some dogs eat grapes without effect, while others develop fatal kidney failure from a single grape. The toxic compound (tartaric acid, identified 2023) affects dogs unpredictably. Always call your vet.
Estimate the number of items eaten. When unsure, over-estimate — it's always safer.
In 2023, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center identified tartaric acid as the likely toxic agent in grapes and raisins. Tartaric acid causes acute tubular necrosis in the kidneys of susceptible dogs. The concentration of tartaric acid varies dramatically between grape varieties, growing conditions, and ripeness — which is why some dogs seem unaffected while others develop fatal kidney failure from small amounts.
| Product | Relative concentration | Risk level |
|---|---|---|
| Grape juice | 0.3x | Lower (but not safe) |
| Fresh grapes | 1.0x (baseline) | Dangerous |
| Baked goods w/ raisins | ~1.5x | Dangerous |
| Trail mix | ~2.0x | Very dangerous |
| Raisins / Sultanas | 4.5x | Highly dangerous |
| Currants (Zante) | 5.0x | Extremely dangerous |
Concentrations are relative estimates based on water content and processing. Sources: ASPCA APCC; Merck Veterinary Manual; Schweighauser & Henke 2020.
Unlike chocolate (where toxicity is directly proportional to dose and body weight), grape toxicity is idiosyncratic. This means individual susceptibility varies enormously and cannot be predicted in advance. Some dogs have eaten large quantities of grapes without any clinical signs. Others have developed fatal acute kidney failure from as few as 4–5 grapes. Until a reliable biomarker for susceptibility is identified, the only safe approach is to treat all ingestion as potentially dangerous.
Early GI signs
Vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite
Kidney stress
Decreased urination, dehydration, abdominal pain
Acute kidney injury
Oliguria/anuria, elevated BUN/creatinine, potentially fatal
Timeline based on published case series. Early treatment (within 2 hours) dramatically improves outcomes. Source: ASPCA APCC; Schweighauser & Henke 2020; Merck Veterinary Manual.
Yes — always call your vet. Unlike chocolate, grape and raisin toxicity has no confirmed safe dose. Some dogs eat grapes with no effect, while others develop fatal acute kidney failure from a single grape. The toxicity is idiosyncratic (unpredictable by individual), so there is no way to know whether your dog is susceptible without risking their life. The ASPCA recommends veterinary consultation for any grape or raisin ingestion, regardless of amount.
The toxic compound was identified in 2023 as tartaric acid (and its salt, potassium bitartrate), based on research by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Tartaric acid causes acute kidney tubular necrosis in susceptible dogs. The concentration varies significantly between grape varieties, growing regions, and ripeness — which partly explains why toxicity appears unpredictable. Dogs metabolise tartaric acid differently than humans, and individual sensitivity varies enormously.
Yes — raisins are approximately 4–5 times more concentrated than fresh grapes by weight because the drying process removes water but concentrates the tartaric acid. This means a much smaller amount of raisins can deliver a toxic dose. Currants (Zante currants) are similarly concentrated. Sultanas and golden raisins carry the same risk as standard dark raisins.
Early signs (within 6–12 hours): vomiting (often the first symptom), diarrhea, lethargy, and loss of appetite. Within 12–24 hours: decreased urination, abdominal pain, dehydration, and excessive thirst. Within 24–72 hours: acute kidney injury may develop, characterised by oliguria (very little urine) or anuria (no urine at all), elevated BUN and creatinine on blood work, and potentially fatal kidney failure. Early treatment dramatically improves outcomes.
No. Tartaric acid is heat-stable, meaning cooking, baking, or boiling does not neutralise it. Raisin bread, oatmeal raisin cookies, fruitcake, and hot cross buns all remain dangerous. Trail mix is particularly hazardous because it often contains raisins, chocolate, and sometimes xylitol-sweetened components — a triple threat.
If ingestion was within 2 hours, the vet will likely induce vomiting followed by activated charcoal to limit absorption. Regardless of timing, aggressive IV fluid therapy (typically 48–72 hours) is the mainstay of treatment — this supports kidney function and promotes excretion. The vet will monitor kidney values (BUN, creatinine, phosphorus) and urine output closely. Prognosis is generally good with early, aggressive treatment. Once anuria (no urine production) develops, prognosis becomes guarded to poor.
The evidence is less clear for cats, but the ASPCA recommends treating grape and raisin ingestion in cats with the same caution as in dogs. There are anecdotal reports of cats developing kidney issues after grape ingestion, though far fewer documented cases exist compared to dogs. If your cat eats grapes or raisins, contact your vet.