Can Dogs Eat Grapes or Raisins? No, Here Is What to Do

The ASPCA lists grapes and raisins among the people foods dogs should not eat, and says the suspected toxin is tartaric acid, which dogs cannot process well, with potential kidney damage as the result. Researchers have not pinned down exactly how much it takes, and some dogs seem to tolerate a little while others become very ill. Since there is no way to know in advance, vets treat any ingestion as a possible emergency.

Pet Poison Helpline also lists grapes, raisins and currants in the food section of its poison index, which is a useful reminder that dried versions count too. Raisins are concentrated, so a small handful can matter more than it looks.

Many owners are caught out by baked goods and mixes rather than by a bowl of grapes. Check labels and ingredients before you share anything.

• Raisin bread, hot cross buns and fruit loaves.
• Trail mix, granola and cereal with dried fruit.
• Oatmeal cookies with raisins and fruit cake or Christmas pudding.
• Fruit salads, cheese platters and lunchbox snacks that fall on the floor.
• Grape juice and some flavoured drinks.

Do not wait to see whether your dog seems fine. Signs can take time to show, and treatment works best when it starts early.

1. Take away any remaining grapes or raisins and keep the packaging.
2. Note roughly how many your dog ate, your dog's weight, and when it happened.
3. Call your vet, the ASPCA, or Pet Poison Helpline and follow their instructions. Do not make your dog vomit unless a professional tells you to.
4. Go to the vet or an emergency clinic if they advise it, and bring the packaging.

Note: If your dog may have eaten something harmful, call your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 straight away. A consultation fee may apply, and it is far cheaper than waiting.

If your dog likes a sweet, crunchy treat, offer a small piece of apple with the core and seeds removed, or a few blueberries. Introduce any new food slowly, and keep portions small. Extras like this should stay a small part of the day's food. A common vet guideline is that treats and extras make up no more than about 10 percent of daily calories.

After grapes or raisins, owners are usually told to watch for vomiting, which is often the first sign, along with lethargy, a loss of appetite, abdominal pain, diarrhea and changes in thirst or urination. Because the concern is kidney damage, the signs of a serious problem can take a day or more to appear, which is exactly why vets prefer to act before symptoms show.

Do not take a normal-looking dog as proof that nothing happened. If there was any ingestion, a call to a vet or a poison helpline is the right move, and they can tell you whether to go in immediately.

Vets generally treat grape and raisin ingestion as an emergency. Depending on timing, they may decide to make the dog vomit under supervision, give activated charcoal, and start intravenous fluids and blood tests to monitor the kidneys over the following days. Exact protocols are the vet's decision, and they depend on how much was eaten and how long ago.

Please do not try home remedies such as salt water or hydrogen peroxide unless a professional tells you to, since these can cause their own harm.

Most grape exposures happen by accident, not because someone chose to share them. A few habits cut the risk a lot.

• Keep fruit bowls, lunchboxes and snack bags out of reach.
• Close pantry doors and bins, since dogs raid both.
• Tell guests and children that grapes, raisins and sultanas are not for the dog.
• Check labels on cereals, granola bars, trail mix and baked goods.
• Teach a reliable leave it cue, which also helps on walks.

One of the frustrating things about grapes and raisins is that dogs react very differently. Some dogs eat a handful and seem fine, while others become seriously ill after a small amount. Vets have not found a reliable dose that separates the two, and the toxin has never been confirmed, which is why guidance is to treat every ingestion seriously rather than trying to work out a safe amount.

Size, age, existing kidney problems and how much water the dog drinks may all play a part, but nobody can predict that from the outside. This is also why stories of a dog that ate grapes and was fine are not a reason to take the chance with yours.

Puppies and small dogs can be affected by smaller quantities in proportion to their size. Older dogs and those with existing kidney, heart or liver disease have less reserve, so a kidney insult can be more serious. If your dog has any health condition, mention it when you call, along with any medication.

Pregnant or nursing dogs and dogs on fluids or special diets should also be discussed with your vet. If you are unsure whether a food contains grapes, treat it as if it does until you have checked the label.

A common myth is that peeled or seedless grapes are safe. There is no evidence for this, and vets advise avoiding all forms. Another myth is that dogs that ate grapes before and were fine are immune. Reactions can differ from one occasion to the next, and a dog that was fine once can still become ill later.

People also assume that wine or grape juice is harmless because there is no fruit. Alcohol is dangerous for dogs in its own right, according to the ASPCA, and grape products should be kept away. If a product lists grape, raisin, sultana or currant, assume it is not suitable for dogs.

It is also worth knowing that dried fruit mixes are a common source, since raisins are usually hidden among nuts and seeds. When you tidy up after parties, check the floor for dropped trail mix and snack bowls.