If your dog ate any grapes or raisins, call your veterinarian or an animal poison control center now, even if your dog seems perfectly normal. Use the grapes and raisins calculator to estimate the dose for your dog's weight before you call.
Enter weight and amount to get an urgency level and next steps.
What to do right now
- Move your dog away from the source and pick up anything left over.
- Find the packaging, label, or plant so you know exactly what was eaten and how much.
- Note your dog's weight and the time it happened.
- Call your veterinarian or an animal poison control center. Do this even if your pet seems normal.
- Do not make your pet vomit unless a professional tells you to.
- Follow the advice you are given, and bring the packaging to the clinic.
Why grapes and raisins are dangerous
For many years the toxic substance in grapes was unknown. Researchers have proposed tartaric acid, which is found in high amounts in grapes and is concentrated in raisins, as the likely cause. This may explain why some batches and varieties seem more dangerous than others.
Raisins are dried grapes, so they pack more of the fruit into a smaller size. Ounce for ounce, raisins are considered more dangerous than fresh grapes. Baked goods such as raisin bread, trail mix, and fruit cake count too.
Symptoms to watch for
- Vomiting, often within a few hours
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy or weakness
- Belly pain
- Increased thirst, then reduced or no urine as the kidneys fail
Timeline: when signs appear
Vomiting is often the first sign and can start within a few hours of eating grapes or raisins. Kidney damage can develop quietly over the next 24 to 72 hours. Dogs may seem to improve after the first vomiting, which can be misleading. Reduced urine output is a sign of serious kidney injury and needs emergency care.
Go straight to an emergency vet if
- Your dog is already vomiting repeatedly, weak, unsteady, or unresponsive
- It has been more than 2 hours since ingestion, so inducing vomiting at home is no longer reliable
- Your dog has known kidney disease or is a puppy, senior, or small toy breed
- You cannot reach a poison control line quickly and any amount was ingested
- A poison control consultation or your vet has told you to bring the dog in
What the vet will do
When a dog is seen soon after eating grapes, the vet will usually induce vomiting and may give activated charcoal. Because the risk is hard to predict, many vets also recommend IV fluids for about 48 hours to protect the kidneys.
Bloodwork to check kidney values is usually done at the start and again over the following days. Dogs treated early generally have a much better outlook than dogs brought in after kidney signs appear.
How to prevent it
- Keep grapes and raisins off counters and coffee tables, and never use them as treats.
- Check ingredient lists on trail mix, cereal, granola bars, and baked goods.
- Teach children not to share snacks with the dog.
- Secure kitchen trash so dropped grapes cannot be found later.
For a room-by-room list you can print, see the pet poison-proofing checklist.
Cat ate grapes or raisins? See My cat ate grapes or raisins and the cat grape and raisin calculator.
Halloween tip: candy bowls and trick-or-treat bags are a top cause of pet poisoning calls. See My dog ate Halloween candy: what to do.
Enter weight and amount to get an urgency level and next steps.
Frequently asked questions
How many grapes are toxic to a dog?
There is no known safe number. Kidney injury has been reported after small amounts in some dogs, while others eat more without harm. Treat any amount as a reason to call a professional.
Are raisins worse than grapes?
Yes, ounce for ounce. Raisins are dried grapes, so the potentially toxic compounds are more concentrated.
My dog ate one grape. Is that an emergency?
It is not possible to say one grape is safe. Call your vet or a poison control center so they can advise you based on your dog's size and health.
How long after eating grapes will a dog show symptoms?
Vomiting can start within a few hours, but kidney damage may not be obvious for 24 to 72 hours. That is why early treatment matters.