Is Grapes & Raisins Toxic to Cats and Dogs?
Grapes and raisins are severely toxic to dogs and can cause kidney failure. Cats are also at risk. Call a vet immediately — do not wait for symptoms.
Potentially life-threatening — treat any exposure as an emergency.
Can cause real harm — call a vet for guidance.
In an emergency, do not wait.
Medical disclaimer: This tool is for general information only and isnot a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. Toxicity depends on the amount, your pet’s size, and health history. If your pet may have ingested something harmful, contact your veterinarian or a poison control hotline ((888) 426-4435 / (855) 764-7661) immediately — do not wait for symptoms to appear.
What is Grapes & Raisins?
Grapes and raisins are severely toxic to dogs and can cause kidney failure. Cats are also at risk. Call a vet immediately — do not wait for symptoms.
Also known as: grape, raisin, sultana, currant, zante currant.
Symptoms to Watch For
🐕 In Dogs
- Vomiting (often within hours of eating)
- Lethargy and loss of appetite
- Decreased or absent urination as kidneys fail
- Increased thirst, then kidney failure
🐈 In Cats
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Lethargy and reduced appetite
- Possible kidney effects (cats are less studied but at risk)
What to Do If Ingested
- Remove any remaining grapes or raisins from reach.
- Call a veterinarian or poison hotline immediately, even if no symptoms yet.
- Note how many were eaten and when.
Steps apply to both cats and dogs. When in doubt, call a vet or poison hotline before acting.
When to Call the Vet Immediately
Call your veterinarian or a poison control hotline right away if you notice any of these:
- Any grapes or raisins were eaten
- Vomiting or lethargy appears
- Drinking less, urinating less, or not urinating
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How many grapes or raisins are dangerous?
There is no confirmed safe amount. Toxicity varies widely between individual dogs, and kidney failure has occurred from a small number of grapes or raisins. Treat any ingestion as potentially serious and call a vet right away.
What makes grapes and raisins toxic?
The exact toxic principle is still being studied. Grape ingestion is linked to acute kidney failure in dogs, so even though the mechanism is not fully pinned down, the risk is well documented and the response is the same: call a vet immediately.
Are raisins more dangerous than grapes?
Raisins are dried grapes, so a given weight of raisins contains the toxic material of many more grapes. Gram for gram they are more concentrated, but both are dangerous and should be treated the same way.
What are the warning signs of grape poisoning?
Vomiting, often within a few hours, is the earliest sign. Watch for lethargy, loss of appetite, increased thirst, and then a drop in urination as the kidneys are affected. Kidney damage can develop within a day or two.
Sources
This entry is reviewed against the following authoritative veterinary sources.
- ASPCA — People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets
- Merck Veterinary Manual — Toxicology
- Pet Poison Helpline — Poisons
Last reviewed: 2026-07-11