Raisin and Grape Toxicity in Dogs

This page focuses on raisin and grape toxicity in dogs. Raisins and grapes can cause kidney failure in dogs. This page looks at the symptoms of grape poisoning in dogs, and how to give first aid treatment to your dog if he has ingested grapes or raisins.

Grapes, raisins and sultanas are poisonous to dogs. However, some dog parents are unaware of this fact until it is too late.

A mere handful of grapes, raisins or sultanas can cause a lot of damage to some dogs. In large quantities, raisins or grapes can cause acute kidney failure and even death to dogs.

Any brand of raisins and sultanas and all kinds of grapes (seeded, seedless, those from a grocery store, or those from your backyard vine) can cause poisoning. The amount of grapes or raisins that can cause a dog to become sick varies considerably - from a single serving to a whole pound of raisins. (There is a case in which an 8-kg dog developed acute kidney failure following an ingestion of only 4 grapes!)

Raisin and Grape Toxicity in Dogs - Why Are They Poisonous?

The exact reason as to why raisins or grapes cause acute kidney failure in dogs is still not clear.

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center have conducted tests on suspected grapes and raisins for pesticides, heavy metals, and fungal contaminants. However, the results so far have all been negative.

Without a clear understanding as to how raisins and grapes cause toxicity in dogs, and since even small amount can cause serious or even fatal health consequences, all cases of ingestion should be considered potentially dangerous.

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Raisin and Grape Toxicity in Dogs - Symptoms

Early symptoms of grape toxicity in dogs (within about six hours of eating grapes or raisins) include:

Vomiting and diarrhea (Partially digested grapes or raisins may be seen in the vomit, fecal material or both)
Loss of appetite
Lethargy
Abdominal pain

If no treatment is received in about 24 hours, the dog will continue to show the above symptoms. In addition, he will:

Become weak and depressed
Be excessively thirsty

If treatment is not sought immediately, acute kidney failure can develop within the first 72 hours. When the kidneys fail, the body is unable to filter the blood and excrete waste in the urine. The dog will produce very little urine. Once the dog stops urinating, death occurs.

Sometimes, even with treatment, too much damage has already been done and the dog has to be euthanized.

The prognosis of an advanced acute kidney failure is always poor regardless of the cause. Therefore, to prevent grape toxicity in dogs, keep all grapes, raisins and sultanas out of the reach of your dog.

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Raisin and Grape Toxicity in Dogs - First Aid Treatment

If you notice that your dog has just eaten some grapes, sultanas, or raisins, induce vomiting and administer activated charcoal immediately to prevent absorption of potential toxins. After that, take your dog to the vet for tests and further treatment will be given to your dog if necessary.

To induce vomiting, make a 50/50 mix of hydrogen peroxide and water. The dose is 1 teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight. Use a needle-less syringe to get the mixture down your dog's throat. Alternatively, add a bit of honey to make the mixture sweet and most dogs will drink it down willingly. Then walk your dog around for a few minutes to get some movement, and usually vomiting occurs within 15 minutes. If it does not work within 15 minutes, repeat the procedure for a second dose. However, if after 15 minutes and your dog still does not vomit, do not repeat the procedure. Call your veterinarian instead.

If you succeeded in inducing vomiting, give your dog granular activated charcoal after he has vomited to absorb any remaining toxins inside the body. To a cup of water, add five heaping teaspoons of activated charcoal. (Dosage: 1 teaspoon for dogs under 25 pounds and 2 teaspoons for dogs over 25 pounds.)

The digestion of grapes and raisins appears to be slow as there have been cases in which whole grapes and raisins have been recovered from the stomach overnight. Therefore, even a few hours following the ingestion grapes or raisins, it may prove well worthwhile to induce vomiting.

If however your dog is already weak and showing signs of advanced stage of poisoning, rush him to the vet immediately.

If you are in the USA, you may also want to call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center hotline (888-426-4435) for help.

Did you know...
Chocolate is also toxic to dogs?
Visit our page on Chocolate Toxicity in Dogs for more information.