Can dogs eat

Raisins?

No

No. Raisins can cause sudden, serious kidney failure in dogs, and no safe amount has been established.

Raisins
Photo: Dana L. Brown · CC BY-SA 2.0 · via Flickr (Openverse)
Think your dog ate something toxic? Call your vet or an emergency clinic now. In the US: ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661 (fees may apply). Outside the US, call your local emergency vet. Don’t make your dog vomit unless a vet tells you to.

Why it’s unsafe

Raisins are dried grapes, and grapes in all forms are linked to acute kidney injury in dogs. The exact toxic compound is not settled: the Merck Veterinary Manual describes tartaric acid as one proposed toxic principle, and the ASPCA says it is speculated to be the toxic component. What is clear is that the reaction is unpredictable. Merck notes that the tartaric acid content of grapes and raisins varies, so effects vary, and Pet Poison Helpline says toxicity is not necessarily dose-dependent and symptoms can occur with even small ingestions. There is no dependable way to tell which dog will be affected, so no amount is considered safe.

The risk covers sultanas, currants (Pet Poison Helpline notes that some currants are small black grapes), and any product that contains them, such as trail mix and bagels. Merck also lists tamarind as a related concern, since tamarind ingestion has also resulted in kidney failure in dogs.

Risks

  • Acute kidney failure, which can be fatal
  • Unpredictable: a small amount can harm some dogs while others seem unaffected
  • Hidden in baked goods, cereals, trail mix and cakes
  • Vomiting or diarrhea usually come first, with kidney failure developing over the following days

What to give instead

Do not feed raisins, sultanas, currants or foods made with them, and keep trail mix, baked goods and snack bags out of reach, including on counters and in backpacks.

For a chewy, fruity treat, try a few blueberries, or a slice of apple with the seeds and core removed. Our page on grapes explains the same risk in the fresh fruit.

Related forms

FoodVerdictWhy
SultanasNoDried grapes of a different variety; treat exactly like raisins.
Dried currantsNoPet Poison Helpline lists currants as toxic, noting that some are small black grapes.
Raisin bread, cookies and trail mixNoPet Poison Helpline lists grape- and raisin-containing products, including trail mix and bagels, as potential sources.
Fresh grapesNoSame kidney risk; see our grapes page.

If your dog already ate it

Treat any raisin or grape eaten by a dog as an emergency, even if your dog seems perfectly well. The Merck Veterinary Manual says most dogs develop vomiting or diarrhea within 6 to 12 hours, and kidney failure can develop within 24 to 72 hours after exposure, with very little or no urine produced. Pet Poison Helpline also lists loss of appetite.

Call your vet, an emergency clinic, or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 (US; fees may apply) straight away. Outside the US, contact your local emergency vet. Try to note roughly how much was eaten and when, and keep the packaging.

Do not try to make your dog vomit at home and do not give any remedies. Your vet will decide on treatment, which Merck says centers on prompt decontamination in a clinically normal dog, followed by intravenous fluids and kidney monitoring. Prompt veterinary care matters.

Frequently asked questions

How many raisins are toxic to a dog?

No safe amount is known. Pet Poison Helpline says toxicity is not necessarily dose-dependent and symptoms can occur with even small ingestions, so any raisin eaten should be reported to a vet or poison line.

My dog ate one raisin and seems fine. Do I need to do anything?

Call your vet or a poison helpline for advice. Because sensitivity cannot be predicted, professional guidance is the safe route.

Are raisins worse than grapes?

Both are considered unsafe, and the Merck Veterinary Manual and Pet Poison Helpline cover them together. Treat grapes, raisins and products containing them the same way.

Are baked goods with raisins safe?

No. Pet Poison Helpline lists products that contain grapes or raisins as potential sources of toxicity, so cookies, cakes and breads containing them should be kept away from dogs.

Why do some dogs eat raisins with no problem?

The tartaric acid content of grapes and raisins varies, according to Merck, and the toxic principle is not fully settled. That unpredictability is why raisins are listed as a food to avoid altogether.

Written from veterinary sources by the Pawsplained editorial team. Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian; this is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Updated Oct 25, 2026. Editorial policy

Sources

  1. Merck Veterinary Manual: Grape, Raisin, and Tamarind Toxicosis in Dogs
  2. Pet Poison Helpline: Are grapes and raisins poisonous to dogs?
  3. ASPCA: People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets

Safer alternatives

More fruit

All foods

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