Can Dogs Eat Grapes?

Why Are Grapes Toxic to Dogs?

According to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, grapes and raisins are highly toxic to dogs and can cause acute kidney failure. For years the exact toxic compound was unknown. In 2021, researchers proposed that tartaric acid — a compound found naturally in grapes — is likely the primary culprit. Tartaric acid is present in high concentrations in grapes and is metabolised very differently in dogs compared to humans. However, the mechanism is still being studied, and the toxic dose is not fully established.

What is consistently clear is that there is no safe amount — even a small number of grapes has caused fatal kidney failure in some dogs.

Which Grape Products Are Dangerous?

All forms of grapes should be treated as toxic:

Signs of Poisoning

Symptoms may appear within 6–12 hours of your dog eating grapes and can include:

• Vomiting (often the first sign, may contain grape fragments)
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy and weakness
• Abdominal pain
• Increased thirst and urination early on, followed by reduced or absent urination as kidney damage progresses
• Dehydration

Without prompt treatment, severe kidney failure can develop within 24–72 hours.

What to Do in an Emergency

1. Go to a vet immediately — don't wait for symptoms to appear
2. Note the time and estimated quantity — tell your vet when it happened and roughly how many grapes
3. Don't try to induce vomiting yourself — this should only be done under veterinary guidance
4. You can also contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Hotline: +1-888-426-4435 (fee may apply), or your local emergency veterinary poison helpline