My Dog Ate a Grape, What Should I Do?
Grapes and Raisins are definitely not a dog-safe treat.
Why are grapes bad for dogs? Can a single grape kill a dog? What to do if your dog eats grapes?
Get the details about grapes poisoning in dogs and how to proceed safely and quickly if your dog eats some.
Can Dogs Eat Grapes?
No, dogs should never eat grapes. Grapes and raisins are known to be highly toxic to dogs. These fruits contain toxins that can cause acute kidney failure and even death in 72 hours or less.
There has been a lot of research done analyzing grape and raisin toxicity in dogs, and scientists haven’t found precisely which substance in the fruit causes this reaction.
Theories include metabolic disruption, a nephrotoxic mycotoxin, and an idiosyncratic reaction.
The toxic principle and exact mechanism of toxicity remain unknown, and since there is no proven amount that is safe, you shouldn’t be giving your dog grapes or raisins at all.
Can a Single Grape Kill a Dog?
At this time, the lowest documented toxic grape or raisin dose is 0.32 to 0.65 oz/kg of body weight. Without knowing the exact mechanism of action, all cases of grape or raisin ingestion should be considered potentially serious, so even one grape/raisin toxicity can even be fatal.
A clear dose-response relationship has not been determined, but ingestion of as few as 4–5 grapes was implicated in the death of an 18-lb (8.2-kg) dog.
How many grapes has your dog eaten?
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Signs and Symptoms of Toxic Ingestion
- Vomiting or diarrhea: This usually happens within 2-12 hours.
- Abdominal pain: Abdomen will be tender when touched. It can happen in 12-24 hours.
- Loss of appetite: 24-48 hours after ingestion.
- Weakness, lethargy, and unusual stillness: This can happen within 24-48 hours of ingestion.
- Dehydration: Signs include panting, a dry nose and mouth, and pale gums. A quick way to test for dehydration is to gently pull up on the skin at the back of your dog’s neck. It should spring back immediately.
- Increase in thirst: This could mean an increase in urination or a decrease in urine production to the extreme of no urine production. This symptom may signal the beginning of acute kidney failure and can happen 24-72 hours after ingestion.
- Kidney failure: This can be fatal if not treated immediately. Symptoms may present within 72 hours.
Call your vet or a pet poison helpline immediately if you know or suspect your dog ate grapes. Waiting until the symptoms start could be too late.
What to Do if Your Dog Eats Grapes
If your dog has ingested grapes or raisins, treatment is absolutely critical.
Contact your veterinarian, or out of hours a 24/7 pet helpline. If it’s been less than two hours since ingestion, they may suggest you induce vomiting as soon as possible by administering 3% hydrogen peroxide solution, followed by activated charcoal to decontaminate and prevent toxins absorption, limiting any additional kidney damage.
⚠️ Remember, with any poisoning, it’s always cheaper, less invasive, and has a better prognosis/outcome if you treat early. Once your dog has already developed clinical signs and is affected by the poison, it makes for a much more expensive veterinary visit!
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