fruit
Grapes
DANGEROUS
No. Grapes can cause sudden kidney failure in dogs and should never be fed, in any amount.
If your dog has eaten this item, contact your vet or an emergency veterinary service now.
If your dog is showing symptoms such as difficulty breathing, seizures, collapse, severe vomiting, unconsciousness or other serious symptoms, seek emergency veterinary care immediately.
What to do
Contact your vet immediately, even if your dog seems well. Early treatment greatly improves the outcome.
When to contact a vet: Yes — grape or raisin ingestion is treated as an emergency because kidney damage can develop within a day or two.
Symptoms to look for
- vomiting
- diarrhoea
- lethargy
- loss of appetite
- reduced or absent urination
- abdominal pain
Why
Grapes and their dried forms are linked to acute kidney injury in dogs. The exact toxic substance is not fully established, and sensitivity varies between individual dogs, so no amount is considered safe. Some dogs eat grapes with no obvious effect while others become seriously ill after a small quantity.
- Substances of concern
- unidentified compound in grapes and raisins
- Parts to avoid
- The whole fruit, including seedless and peeled grapes.
- How much matters
- There is no known safe amount. Treat any ingestion as a potential emergency.
- Severity
- High
Sources
- ASPCA Animal Poison ControlPrimary authoritative — Toxicity
- PetMDVeterinary information — Toxicity
Information reviewed against recognised veterinary and animal-safety sources. Source organisations are independent of Is It For Dogs unless otherwise stated.
Last reviewed 6 September 2026 · next review due September 2027.
Safety classifications are based on available expert and veterinary information. Individual dogs may react differently, particularly dogs with allergies, existing health conditions or specific dietary requirements.
Important: Is It For Dogs provides general information about the safety of foods, plants, drinks, ingredients and other items around dogs. Our information is based on sources we consider reliable and is intended to help dog owners make informed decisions. It is not a substitute for advice from a qualified veterinary professional. Read more
Dogs can react differently depending on their size, age, health, allergies, medications, the amount consumed and other circumstances. An item classified as Safe is not necessarily suitable for every individual dog.
If your dog has eaten something potentially poisonous or dangerous, has eaten an unknown substance, or is showing concerning symptoms, contact your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary service immediately.
Do not induce vomiting or give your dog medication unless specifically instructed to do so by a veterinary professional.
Also known as grapes, grape, green grapes, red grapes, black grapes · Vitis vinifera