The answer (and this goes for raisins, too, which are just dried grapes) is easy: No, dogs should never eat grapes. Grapes and raisins are known to be highly toxic to dogs, though research has yet to pinpoint exactly which substance in the fruit causes this reaction.
Acute kidney injury can be very expensive to treat and requires intensive veterinary care. Even one raisin or grape can be enough to harm your dog.
Clinical effects include development of vomiting and/or diarrhea within 6–12 hours of ingestion, lethargy, anorexia, polydipsia, dehydration, and elevation of serum creatinine and BUN concentrations; progression to oliguric or anuric renal failure may occur within 24–48 hours.
If your dog eats any amount of grapes or raisins, take him to the veterinarian or animal hospital immediately. However, if it has only been a few minutes since your dog ate the raisins, and you cannot get to a hospital right away, you should induce vomiting.
Grapes and Raisins
Toxic dose: The dose that can cause serious problems is 0.7 ounces per kilogram of grapes and 0.1 ounce per kilogram of raisins. This means that 3 grapes (or 3 raisins) could be fatal for a 2.5 pound puppy, and 12 grapes (or 12 to 15 raisins) could potentially kill a 10-pound animal.
It is unlikely that one raisin would be enough to kill a dog, but in several dogs that are particularly sensitive, it is possible that even a small amount can be very serious. Since we don't know why some dogs get symptoms and some do not, it's best to contact your veterinarian after any raisin ingestion.
If you suspect your dog has ingested grapes or raisins, you need to seek veterinary help as soon as possible even if they are not showing symptoms. Grape, sultana or raisin ingestion can be fatal. Seek veterinary treatment as soon as possible.
Chocolate-covered raisins can be of real concern if a dog consumes them because grapes and raisins are also very toxic to dogs, and they can trigger acute kidney failure. If your dog has eaten any chocolate, you should consult a vet, but this is particularly important if the dog ate chocolate-covered raisins.
The most common early symptom of grape or raisin toxicity is vomiting, which is generally seen within 24 hours following ingestion. Lack of appetite, lethargy, and possibly diarrhea can be also seen within the next 12-24 hours.
Grapes, raisins, currants and sultanas can all have serious consequences if eaten by dogs, whether cooked or not.
Grapes, raisins, sultanas and currants are all potentially poisonous to dogs. If eaten they can cause gut problems and in serious cases, kidney failure. The toxic dose varies from dog to dog, but in some cases, can be very small (i.e. some dogs don't have to eat much of the fruit to become poorly).
Affected dogs show signs 30 minutes to 4 hours after ingesting the poison. Initially affected dogs become anxious and have an elevated body temperature. Panting is usually seen. Progressively they become worse and staggery.
Chocolate can be deadly for certain dogs, but the size and breed of the dog and the amount of chocolate consumed determine how sick a pooch can get. Grapes and raisins are a different story – very small amounts can lead to kidney failure in some dogs.
So how many grapes constitute an emergency? Using the Dachshund as a guide we can say that one grape or sultana for every 2kg of bodyweight is probably the worst case scenario. However, given the uncertainty, it's recommended to go to the vet to have even a single grape vomited up.
Even if your dog only ate one grape or raisin, it could have a fatal outcome. You want to get the toxic fruit out of your pup's system as soon as possible. Your veterinarian may get you to try and induce vomiting at home. However, do not in any situation do this without communicating with your veterinarian first.
The lowest reported toxic dose for raisins is 0.04oz per pound (2.8g per kg), and for grapes, the lowest reported toxic dose is 0.32 oz per pound (19.6g per kg) body weight. Using this toxic dose would mean that a 10 pound (4.5kg) dog could be poisoned by as little as 17 grapes or 11 raisins.
Yes, dogs can eat strawberries. Strawberries are full of fiber and vitamin C. Along with that, they also contain an enzyme that can help whiten your dog's teeth as he or she eats them. Like all fruits, strawberries contain natural sugar, so offer them in moderation.
Ingesting even a small amount of raisins can lead to severe symptoms, such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, decreased appetite, and increased thirst, and kidney failure. If you suspect that your dog has ingested grapes or raisins, it's important to contact your veterinarian immediately.
What happens if a dog eats chocolate? Chocolate contains properties that are toxic to dogs. Depending on the dog's size and how much chocolate it ingests, a dog can experience poisoning with symptoms that range from vomiting and diarrhea to seizures and sudden death.
Chocolate is poisonous to dogs mostly because of its theobromine content, which dogs are unable to metabolize effectively. If your dog eats chocolate, you should monitor them closely and seek veterinary attention if they show any symptoms, or if they are very young, pregnant or have other health concerns.
A raisin is a dried white grape, predominantly of the Muscatel variety. A sultana is a small raisin, they are seedless and sweet, and come mainly from Turkey. A current is a dried red grape, originally from Greece.
The estimated toxic dose of grapes is 0.5 ounces per pound (for example, 1 pound of grapes can be toxic for a 30 lb dog). Raisins are toxic at 0.18 to 0.48 oz/lb (for example, 8 oz of raisins can be toxic for a 30 lb dog).
Keep any grapes, raisins, sultanas, or any products containing these well out of reach of your pet. If you are at all concerned your dog could have eaten any of these, contact your veterinary practice immediately. The sooner your pet is seen and treated, the better the outcome.