Can a Dog Eat Grapes?

Dogs, just like us, love eating fruit, since it's delicious and also very hydrating, containing vitamins, minerals, and toxins. Yes, you read that right, toxins that are generally harmless to humans but not to dogs.

Grapes are a toxic food for dogs, meaning if they eat them, they'll get poisoned and suffer pain and health problems, even death if the amount is very large.

Why Are Grapes Toxic for a Dog?

Actually, it still hasn't been discovered which toxin grapes contain that makes our dogs so sick. But what has been discovered is that it causes serious kidney damage and, depending on the amount, even death.

Both fresh grapes and dried grapes, also known as raisins, are highly toxic for dogs, so we should completely remove them from their diet.

What Happens If My Dog Eats Grapes?

Depending on the amount eaten, it will vomit and suffer diarrhea and stomach pain as general symptoms. But if it eats a large amount, it will probably even die.

The amount of grapes that's fatal for a dog is estimated at 32 grams per kilo of body weight for fresh grapes and 10 grams per kilo of body weight for raisins, according to the Merck Veterinary Manual.

My Dog Has Eaten Grapes — What Do I Do?

The first thing you should do is find out how many grapes it's eaten and, if the dog hasn't vomited on its own, help it vomit. For this, it's best to call your vet and follow their instructions.

If it's eaten a large amount of grapes, see your vet immediately so they can perform a stomach flush and start treating it to prevent damage and kidney failure.

There's no home treatment you can use with your dog — it's absolutely necessary to see a vet.

Common Symptoms in Dogs That Have Eaten Grapes

If you suspect your dog has eaten grapes but aren't sure, you can watch it to see if you notice any of the following symptoms:

• Vomiting and/or retching
• Diarrhea
• Increased thirst
• Excessive urination
• Clumsiness, lethargy, and/or apathy

Any other symptom not described here that seems unusual for your dog should be considered a possible confirmation your dog is poisoned from eating grapes.