- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Though small, grapes can significantly impact your dog’s health. All types of grapes, including red, green, seedless, cooked, and dried, are toxic to dogs. Poisoning symptoms from grapes can range from mild vomiting to severe kidney failure.
If your dog does eat some grapes, don’t panic. “If we catch toxicity early — where they just have an upset tummy — then the prognosis is always really good,” says Dave Leicester, a leading emergency vet in charge of Video Vets Now, a telehealth service from Vets Now. If left untreated, ingested grapes can potentially be deadly to your dog.
Read on to learn more about the potential hazards of grapes, what to do if your dog has eaten some, and what fruits are actually safe for dogs to eat.
If Your Dog Ate a Grape, Tell Your Vet Immediately
Dr. Carly Fox, a senior veterinarian at Schwarzman Animal Medical Center in NYC, says if dogs have even one grape, seek emergency medical care.
“The negative effects of grape ingestion vary greatly, she adds. “There is no way to know if your pet will become sick.” Peeled, seedless, or whole grapes can be toxic to dogs.
Prompt treatment can have positive outcomes, but you need to tell your vet so they can help you know what signs to monitor for and when to bring your pup in for the best treatment. Your vet will want to know how many grapes your dog ate and how long ago they ate them.
Signs and Symptoms of Grape Toxicity
There are numerous signs of grape toxicity. Early symptoms after ingestion, Leicester shares, include the following.
However, as toxicity affects the kidneys, additional symptoms are the following.
- Increased drinking or urination
- A loss of appetite
- Shaking and wobbliness
- Lethargy
- Depression and general malaise
In humans, food poisoning symptoms typically occur after about six hours — and the same applies to grape toxicity in dogs.
“Signs of grape toxicity typically occur within 6-12 hours of ingestion,” Fox says. Additionally, she explains that notable effects on the kidneys are seen within 24-48 hours.
How do I know if my dog is in serious trouble?
When a dog stops urinating altogether, Leicester says, this indicates severe kidney failure. At this point, the prognosis is a lot worse.
Treating Grape Toxicity in Dogs
15-20 minutes after your dog eats a grape
Fox says the critical time for veterinary care is right after your dog eats a grape. However, she adds, even if your dog ate grapes a few hours previously, you should still get them checked out.
Your dog will undergo ‘decontamination’ to help remove the grapes from their digestive system. Fox explains that decontamination involves inducing emesis (vomiting) and possibly giving activated charcoal. The activated charcoal helps absorb toxins so they don’t seep into the bloodstream. She adds that measuring your dog’s baseline kidney values during this time is essential.
The following 48 hours after eating a grape
If your dog only eats a few grapes and vomits similar amounts, “then [decontamination is] often all that needs to happen in the early stages,” Leicester says. However, if there are any signs the kidneys have been affected, then hospitalization is recommended.
“Gold standard care involves hospitalization for fluid therapy, treatment of any gastrointestinal signs, and monitoring,” Fox explains. Furthermore, Leicester says this stage is called ‘elimination,’ and treatments help flush the kidneys out and eliminate toxins from your dog’s system. The baseline kidney values are also remeasured at the 24- and 48-hour marks.
After hospitalization
No further action is needed if your dog is released with the all-clear. However, Fox notes that if your dog’s kidney values were mild to moderately abnormal when assessed, then follow-up monitoring and medications will likely be recommended.
Why Are Grapes Toxic for Dogs?
“Previously, the toxic effects of grape ingestion were thought to be idiosyncratic, and the cause of toxicity was unknown,” Fox explains.
However, she notes recent research has helped pinpoint a more specific cause, including a recent paper from the ASPCA Poison Control Center. The study showed that tartaric acid might be why grapes are so harmful to your dog.
While more research needs to be done, Leicester reveals that anecdotal incidents have also indicated tartaric acid might be problematic. “Tartaric acid appears in tamarind fruit at very high levels,” he says. “There are instances of dogs being poisoned by tamarind and having similar ill effects as we see with grapes.” He even says some dogs have been poisoned directly with tartaric acid, which is used as a baking ingredient.
How many grapes are toxic for dogs?
There’s no safe way to tell how many grapes a dog can eat before getting sick. Not all grapes and grape by-products contain identical amounts of tartaric acid, the suspected toxic ingredient. Vets treat dogs eating even one grape as a severe situation because of this variability, says Fox.
Leicester explains that numerous factors might influence a grape’s toxicity, such as the type of grape and harvesting. Furthermore, he says that dried varieties, such as raisins, currants, and sultanas, appear to be a bit more toxic than fresh grapes.
We can’t ever say that any particular grape is safe,” Leicster concludes. “We have to assume grapes are always toxic, even in very small quantities.”
iStock/humonia
Grape-Related Foods That Are Toxic to Dogs
- Raisins
- Currants
- Sultanas
- Fruit cake
- Cookies
- Hot cross buns
- Raisin bagels
- Jam
- Jelly
- Wine
- Grape juice
Prevent Your Dog From Eating Grapes
1. Keep grapes high and out of reach
Safely storing foods prevents your dog from experiencing grape toxicity or food poisoning. Keep grapes (and foods containing them) out of reach — and sight — in higher cabinets. Secure them shut with a child lock if they must be kept in lower-down cabinets.
2. Seal raisins and currants in screw-top jars
While fresh grapes are best kept hidden in the fridge, Leicester suggests storing raisins and currants in screw-top jars. “We assume that dogs just root things out by smell, but they’ll look for them as well,” Leicester says.
3. Don’t leave food on the counter unsupervised
Additionally, he recommends avoiding leaving plates of raisin cookies or cakes on tables and worktops that your dog can jump up and reach. Be aware your dog might beg for a bite, but don’t let those puppy dog eyes tempt you into sharing.
3. Remind the family grapes are toxic to dogs
Finally, ensure everyone in the household, especially children, is clued up on what products include grapes.
“Prevention is always going to be better than trying to treat a problem once it arises,” Leicester emphasizes.
Don’t Feed These Foods to Dogs
| Toxic food for dogs | Risks |
| Xylitol | Rapid blood sugar drop |
| Yeast (for instance, in bread, cake, and cookies) | Pressure in the digestive system and alcohol poisoning |
| Chocolate | Vomiting, muscle tremors, an irregular heartbeat, and seizures |
| Onions (various types) | Red blood cell damage |
| Caffeine | Stomach aches, muscle tremors, and excessive bleeding |
| Macadamia nuts | Vomiting, weakness, muscle tremors, and depression |
| Avocado | Digestive upset and heart damage. The pit is also a choking hazard. |
Which Fruits Are Safe for Dogs?
Grapes may be a no-go, but some fruits (and veggies!) are OK for dogs; some even provide essential nutrients. But which are considered suitable?
According to Leicester, the following fruits are safe for your dog.
- Oranges (with pips and peel removed)
- Apples (with core and seeds removed)
- Pears (with core and seeds removed)
- Peaches and nectarines (with pit and any pit pieces removed)
- Bananas (with skin removed)
- Pineapples (with skin removed)
However, you shouldn’t give your dog these fruits daily. “Fruit is sweet and contributes to weight gain if eaten in large quantities,” Leicester says. “There are also some health conditions, like diabetes, where dogs should avoid sweet foods.”
If you want to share some fruit with your dog, he recommends opting for small quantities once or twice a week.
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