Pastry Ingredient Safety

Can dogs eat grapes, raisins, currants and sultanas?

Toxic: call for help

Short answer: No. Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs, and no safe amount is known.

Also called or found in: raisins, currants, sultanas, Zante currants, golden raisins

Why it matters

The Merck Veterinary Manual names tartaric acid as the likely toxin. The amount in grapes varies, which is why some dogs get sick after a few and others don't. There's no established safe amount.

Zante currants are dried grapes and count. Sultanas are a kind of raisin. True currants from the Ribes plant have not been linked to kidney injury (Merck).

What owners may notice

Vomiting or diarrhea within 6 to 12 hours, then tiredness, loss of appetite, belly pain and less urine as the kidneys are hurt (Merck).

This list can't tell you if your dog is OK. Only a veterinarian can.

If your dog ate some

Call your veterinarian or an animal poison line now: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661. Have the package, the amount and your dog's weight ready. Don't try home remedies unless your veterinarian or the poison line tells you to.

In the kitchen

Raisin bread, oatmeal raisin cookies, fruitcake, hot cross buns, mince pies and trail mix all count. Grape jelly is made from grapes.

Sources

  1. Grape, Raisin, and Tamarind Toxicosis in Dogs, Merck Veterinary Manual. Checked October 22, 2026.
  2. People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets, ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Checked October 22, 2026.

Last checked against these sources: October 22, 2026.

Related guides

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Written by VanillaGoods from the cited sources. Not reviewed by a veterinarian. Not a substitute for veterinary advice.