Dog has eaten grapes, raisins, or sultanas
Treat any grape, raisin, sultana, or currant ingestion as a vet emergency — toxic dose is unpredictable and acute kidney failure can follow within 72 hours.
Recognise the signs
- Witnessed eating, or evidence (chewed packaging, missing fruit)
- First 6–24 hours: vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, off food
- 24–72 hours: increased thirst and urination, then reduced or absent urine production
- 72+ hours: severe kidney failure — vomiting, weakness, collapse, mouth ulcers
First aid steps
- Phone the vet or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 immediately, even if the dog seems fine.
- Note the type (grape, raisin, sultana, currant) and approximate amount eaten.
- Note the time of ingestion.
- Bring the packaging or a sample for the vet.
- Do not delay to see if symptoms develop — the toxic dose is unpredictable, and prevention works far better than treatment of established kidney injury.
Do NOT
- Do not induce vomiting at home unless specifically told to by a vet.
- Do not assume small amounts are safe — toxic dose varies dramatically between dogs and is not weight-predictable.
- Do not wait for symptoms — by the time they appear, kidney injury is established.
- Do not feed milk, bread, or 'absorbing food' to neutralise.
- Do not assume the dried versions (raisins, sultanas, currants) are safer — they are concentrated and potentially more toxic by weight.
While transporting to the vet
- Bring the packaging or a fresh sample.
- Phone ahead — emesis (induced vomiting) and IV fluid therapy will be prepared.
- Note the dog's weight if known.
When to phone the vet immediately
- Any known or suspected ingestion, regardless of amount or current symptoms
- Vomiting, lethargy, off food in the 24 hours after access
- Reduced urine output in the 48–72 hours after access
- Collapse
Common causes
- Loose grapes dropped from fruit bowls or lunchboxes
- Mince pies, Christmas cake, hot cross buns, fruit cake (raisins/sultanas/currants)
- Trail mix and granola bars
- Children sharing snacks with the dog
- Garden vines
- Wedding cake, panettone, scones with fruit
What the vet will need to know
- Type and quantity of grapes/raisins/sultanas/currants
- Approximate time of ingestion
- Dog's weight
- Any vomiting since
- Current medications and any prior kidney issues
Aftercare
- Decontamination if within 2 hours: induced vomiting and activated charcoal.
- IV fluids for 48–72 hours to support kidneys.
- Repeat blood tests at 24, 48, and 72 hours to track kidney values.
- Most dogs recover fully with prompt treatment; some develop chronic kidney disease.
- Identify and remove the source at home.
Prevention
- No grapes, raisins, sultanas, or currants accessible to dogs anywhere in the house.
- Brief children, visitors, and dog-walkers on the rule.
- Be especially vigilant at Christmas, Easter (hot cross buns, simnel cake), weddings, and picnics.
- Lock bin lids; lunch boxes out of reach.
- If you grow grapes, fence off vines from dog access.
Frequently asked questions
How many grapes are toxic?
There is no reliable safe dose. Some dogs eat large quantities with no effect; others have developed kidney failure after a single grape. Because the susceptible-dog mechanism is not fully understood, vets treat all known ingestion as urgent regardless of amount.
Are raisins more dangerous than fresh grapes?
By weight, yes — raisins, sultanas, and currants are concentrated, so a small handful in a mince pie can deliver a toxic load equivalent to many fresh grapes. The Christmas season is a common time for emergencies.
My dog ate one grape and seems fine — do I really need the vet?
Yes, please phone. The vet may recommend induced vomiting if recent, IV fluids and bloodwork to monitor, or in some cases home monitoring with clear instructions. The decision should be the vet's, made with knowledge of your specific dog, not a guess at home.