Food safety · Dogs
Can Dogs Eat Raisins?
The short answer · Raisins for dogs
No. Raisins are dried grapes and are toxic to dogs; they can cause kidney damage. The Merck Veterinary Manual says more than one raisin per 10 pounds of body weight may pose a risk. Raisin bread, cookies and trail mix count too. Call your vet or a pet poison line right away.
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.
Raisins and dogs: quick facts
| Verdict | Toxic — do not feed |
|---|---|
| Toxic compound | Tartaric acid is the suspected toxic component (ASPCA, Merck). |
| Unsafe parts | Raisins, sultanas and currants; Baked goods and cereals containing them; Trail mix |
| Signs to watch for | vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite, excessive thirst, dehydration |
| When signs start | Vomiting or diarrhea usually within 6–12 hours; kidney failure can develop within 24–72 hours (Merck). |
| Risk by amount | Merck: in general, more than one grape or raisin per 4.5 kg (10 lb) of body weight may pose a kidney risk. |
My dog ate raisins. What do I do?
- Stay calm and move your dog away from any remaining raisins. 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 dog'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 raisins and dogs
Key points
- Check labels: raisins hide in cereal, granola bars, cookies, hot cross buns and fruitcake.
- Because raisins are small and concentrated, a few can reach the risk range for a small dog.
Risks
- Sudden kidney injury
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Dehydration
What it could cost
Treating raisins poisoning in dogs
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 dogs ask about
Frequently asked questions
How many raisins can hurt a dog?
Merck's general guide is more than one grape or raisin per 4.5 kg (10 lb) of body weight. Call your vet or a poison line for any amount.
My dog ate a raisin cookie. What now?
Call your veterinarian or a pet poison line now with your dog's weight and an estimate of how many raisins were in the cookie. Don't make your dog vomit unless you're told to.
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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