Food safety · Cats
Can Cats Eat Grapes?
The short answer · Grapes for cats
No. Keep grapes away from cats. Published poisoning cases involve dogs, but the Merck Veterinary Manual notes anecdotal reports of kidney failure in cats after eating grapes or raisins, and the ASPCA lists grapes among foods to avoid feeding pets. If your cat ate one, call your vet or a pet poison line.
Written by VetExpenses Editorial TeamFact-checked against cited sources · Veterinary review pendingLast reviewed
Educational information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell or ate something worrying, call your veterinarian or a pet poison line now. Emergency steps.
Grapes and cats: quick facts
| Verdict | Toxic — do not feed |
|---|---|
| Toxic compound | Tartaric acid is suspected in dogs; the risk in cats is less studied (Merck). |
| Unsafe parts | Grapes, raisins, sultanas and currants |
| Signs to watch for | vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite |
| When signs start | Not well defined in cats; in dogs, vomiting or diarrhea usually starts within 6–12 hours (Merck). |
| Risk by amount | No safe amount has been established for cats. |
My cat ate grapes. What do I do?
- Stay calm and move your cat away from any remaining grapes. Keep the packaging if there is one.
- Call your veterinarian, an emergency vet, or a pet poison line right away — before signs appear. ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435. Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661. A consultation fee may apply.
- Have ready: your cat's weight, roughly how much was eaten, and when.
- Do not make your pet vomit unless a veterinarian or poison control tells you to.
- Follow the vet's instructions. Early care by the veterinary team can make poisoning less severe.
What to know about grapes and cats
Key points
- Cats rarely seek out grapes, but they may bat at and chew small round foods. Keep fruit bowls covered.
- Merck reports anecdotal kidney failure in cats and ferrets after grape or raisin ingestion, though there are no published case reports in these species.
Risks
- Possible kidney injury (anecdotal reports)
- Stomach upset
What it could cost
Treating grapes poisoning in cats
Poisoning care usually means an urgent exam, decontamination by the vet team, and sometimes days of monitoring. We publish a price range only after it is checked against named sources — our poisoning treatment and emergency vet visit guide is in verification. A vet bill for this kind of visit is usually built from these line items:
- Exam or emergency consultation fee
- Tests: bloodwork, urine tests or imaging
- Treatment, such as decontamination or medication
- Hospital stay and monitoring, if needed
- Follow-up visits and recheck tests
Other foods cats ask about
Frequently asked questions
Are grapes as dangerous to cats as to dogs?
It's less clear. Merck says the reported cases are in dogs, with anecdotal reports of kidney failure in cats and no published case reports. Because the outcome in dogs can be severe, treat any exposure as a reason to call your vet.
Can cats eat raisins?
No. Raisins are dried grapes and carry the same concern.
Sources
- People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Accessed November 7, 2026.
- Grape, Raisin, and Tamarind (Vitis spp, Tamarindus spp) Toxicosis in Dogs. Merck Veterinary Manual. Accessed November 7, 2026.
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