Go to a vet now
Treat it as an emergency, even if your dog ate only one or two and seems fine. Grapes and raisins can cause sudden kidney failure in dogs, and there is no known safe amount. Call your vet or poison control now; early treatment prevents most kidney damage.
What to do right now
- Estimate how many grapes or raisins were eaten and when.
- Call your vet or poison control right away.
- If it was within the last few hours, your vet will likely induce vomiting and give activated charcoal.
- Follow your vet's advice on IV fluids and blood tests for 48-72 hours.
Why grapes or raisins can be dangerous for dogs
Tartaric acid, found in high amounts in grapes and raisins, is thought to be the toxic compound. Dogs vary greatly in sensitivity, and the amount of tartaric acid varies between grapes, so some dogs are badly affected by a few grapes while others eat many with no effect. You cannot predict which dog will react.
Symptoms to watch for
- Vomiting and diarrhea (often within 24 hours)
- Loss of appetite and lethargy
- Abdominal pain
- Increased thirst, then reduced or no urination (24-72 hours)
- Bad breath and mouth ulcers (kidney failure)
What not to do
- Do not wait for signs to appear.
- Do not assume a small amount is safe.
What the vet will do
Treatment usually includes inducing vomiting, activated charcoal, IV fluids for about 48 hours, and blood tests to monitor kidney values. Dogs treated early usually recover; dogs that stop producing urine have a poor outlook.
Related guides
Dog ate grapes or raisins: FAQ
My dog ate one grape. Will he be okay?
Most dogs that eat one grape do not develop kidney failure, but some do, and it is impossible to know in advance. Call your vet; many will recommend inducing vomiting to be safe.
How long after eating grapes will a dog get sick?
Vomiting often starts within 24 hours. Kidney failure usually develops within 24-72 hours.
Are raisins worse than grapes?
Raisins are more concentrated by weight, so a handful of raisins contains more of the toxin than the same number of grapes.
Other "my dog ate…" guides
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- TylenolCall your vet
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- Cat PoopWatch closely
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- WeedCall your vet
Sources
- ASPCApro: Toxic Component in Grapes and Raisins Identified
- Wegenast et al. (2022), J Vet Emerg Crit Care: tartaric acid and acute kidney injury in dogs
- ASPCA: People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets
This guide is general information, not a diagnosis. Every pet is different: when in doubt, call your vet or an animal poison control line.