Can dogs eat grapes? Everything you need to know.

This is a simple one. No, dogs cannot eat grapes.

Although grapes are delicious, these juicy little balls of goodness are not safe for dogs to consume. They’re highly toxic to our canine friends, even though no one really knows exactly why. The truth is, researchers have yet to pinpoint precisely which substance in the fruit causes the negative reaction.

But is this true of all grapes, in all forms? Grapes carry many benefits for humans, including antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, and loads of minerals and vitamins. Can these seemingly innocuous berries really be all that bad? Yes, they can. And they can even be fatal.

Read on to learn more about this simple, delectable fruit that nevertheless poses a huge risk to our furry friends.

Can dogs have grapes?

No, dogs should never, under any circumstances, eat grapes.

While it’s still not fully known why grapes are so toxic for dogs, what is known is how serious the poisoning can be.

If a dog eats grapes, it can cause severe reactions, like kidney failure, and may even be fatal.

Sadly, it doesn’t matter what your dog’s breed, sex, age, or general health is. These factors have little influence on how your dog may be affected.

That is, regardless of breed, age, or general state of health, the toxicity concern remains the same. And, since no quantity is safe – one grape or one hundred – we need to approach grapes with a policy of zero tolerance.

Even foods containing grapes, like trail mix, muffins, or raisin bran cereal are all potential sources of toxicity for dogs. Grapes, in any sort of form, should never be offered to your dog.

Why can’t dogs eat grapes?

Unfortunately, no one really knows what makes grapes so deadly among dogs. Research has shown that the toxic agent, whatever it may be, is in the grape itself. And to complicate things, scientists believe that grape poisoning affects different dogs differently.

That means one grape can be deadly for some dogs, but have zero effects on others. How do you know if your dog will be the former or the latter? You don’t. Factors like dog size, breed, age, and overall health have no correlation to how they’ll react to consuming grapes.

Over the years, researchers have ruled out certain theories on exactly what causes toxicity in grapes. Scientists are fairly certain that the grape problem is not caused by any of the following:

Mycotoxin: A toxic substance produced by a fungus or mold.
Salicylate: An aspirin-like compound found naturally in grapes.
Seeds: Seedless grapes are just as toxic, so seeds are not the toxin.
Allergies: Dogs can show allergies to plant-based foods, but it’s not common, and there’s no evidence that proves that allergies are among the primary reactions to the fruit.
Pesticides: Grapes and raisins from different countries using different farming practices were studied, and whether the fruit was grown organically, or with pesticides, the toxicity levels remained the same.

Despite having ruled out poisoning theories, scientists still have no straightforward answers.

While no one knows for sure why dogs react negatively to grapes, it has been confirmed that the toxicity comes from something in the skin or the fruit’s meat, which, to be honest, doesn’t tell us much.

With so much still unknown, why take the risk? It’s not worth giving your dog even a sliver of grape, because there’s no way to know how badly their body will react.

So, keep the grapes far from your dog!

Can a single grape kill a dog?

Yes, even one grape can kill a dog. Short of that, one grape can make them incredibly sick.

Eating just one grape could result in toxic shock.

If you’ve ever seen a dog owner toss a few grapes to their dog, you may be confused. It’s true that some dogs appear to tolerate small doses of the fruit without consequence. The problem is, there’s no way to know how your dog will react.

The exact cause of toxicity in dogs after they ingest a grape is unknown, and so is the amount. Some dogs may suffer more severe reactions than others, and there’s no way to predict which dogs may be more sensitive.

With that in mind, there are two things to consider:

Dogs are more likely to be poisoned if they consume large amounts of grapes.

Each individual dog has their own sensitivity to grapes.

Ill effects include kidney disease, kidney failure, and even death.

While it’s true that body weight may matter – that is, a small dog, like a chihuahua, may fare worse or have a lower tolerance for grapes than a large dog, like a Labrador – that’s not necessarily the case, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Keep grapes away from all dogs, whether they are small or large.

What are the signs and symptoms of grape toxicity?

If you know, or even just suspect, that your dog has eaten grapes, call your vet immediately. Don’t wait for symptoms to start before taking action.

With that said, if your dog eats a grape, they may exhibit one or more of the following symptoms:

Vomiting
Diarrhea
Abdominal pain (the area is tender when touched)
Loss of appetite
Weakness, lethargy, unusual stillness
Dehydration (panting, dry nose and mouth, pale gums)
Increased or decreased drinking or urination

Once your dog starts exhibiting changes in thirst and/or urination, that usually means that kidney failure has begun. These symptoms are very serious, and your dog should see a medical professional immediately.

How soon after eating grapes can a dog get sick?

Symptoms can appear immediately or develop over a period of hours.

If your dog has ingested a grape, even just one or two, contact your veterinarian immediately, even if they’re exhibiting no obvious symptoms. Quick action and immediate treatment are the best way to prevent any long term damage.

Can grapes kill dogs?

Yes, grapes can kill dogs.

Grapes can cause kidney disease and kidney failure that can lead to death. The best way to prevent this – and any other health complication – is to seek immediate treatment.

What to do if you dog eats grapes:

If your dog eats a grape, even just one, contact your vet and seek treatment immediately. The Pet Poison Helpline or an animal poison control will be able to help you as well.

Important: Be sure to contact the vet or a poison control hotline even if your dog is not exhibiting symptoms. Do not wait for symptoms to appear – by then it might be too late!

Taking action quickly is absolutely critical in this situation. The sooner the poisoning is identified and treated, the less dangerous it will be for your dog, and the less likely your dog is to suffer from long term health complications.

If your dog is not struggling to breath or showing signs of shock, the veterinarian may recommend inducing vomiting. In case of emergencies like this, we like to keep 3% hydrogen peroxide in our medicine cabinet for quick use.

Keep in mind that even if your dog is large, you’ll want to contact the vet; you won’t know how sensitive your dog is to the fruit until it’s too late. Better to be safe than sorry!

What is the treatment for a dog with grape poisoning?

If your dog has recently consumed grapes, it’s very likely that your vet will induce vomiting immediately. Depending on the vet, your proximity to the vet office or animal hospital, and your dog’s symptoms, you’ll either be asked to do this at home or to bring your dog in.

By inducing vomiting, the vet is working to empty your dog’s stomach and remove any grapes before they’re digested. Once the dog’s stomach is empty, they will most likely be given activated charcoal to bind the toxins and prevent absorption, limiting any kidney damage.

Your vet may also order a urinalysis and blood work to assess your dog’s kidney function.

If it’s too late and your dog has gone into acute renal failure, the vet will start fluid therapy.

The prognosis can be very serious, not to mention costly. It’s imperative that you act fast to prevent your dog’s health from getting worse.

How is grape poisoning diagnosed?

The initial signs of grape poisoning include vomiting and/or diarrhea. Other signs that can develop include lethargy, weakness, dehydration, and tremors.

Your vet may also recommend diagnostic tests such as a complete blood count (CBC), a serum biochemistry profile, and a urinalysis to assess the amount of damage to the kidneys.

Which grapes are safe for dogs to consume?

No grapes are safe for dogs to consume.

Poisoning has been observed in dogs that have ingested all types of grape varieties, from seedless to skinless grapes, commercial and/or homegrown grapes, red, green, and black grapes, organic to non-organic, and even crushed grapes.

Keep all types of grapes away from your dog.

Can dogs eat grapes without seeds?

No, dogs should not eat seedless grapes.

Poisoning has occurred in dogs who have consumed seedless or seeded grapes. No part of the grape is safe, and removing the seeds – or any other part of the grape – does not lower the toxicity risk factor in the fruit.

Can dogs eat grapes without the skin?

No, dogs can’t eat skinless grapes.

Removing the grape skin, or any other part of the grape, does not make the fruit any safer for your dog.

Can dogs eat grape vines?

No, dogs shouldn’t eat grape vines.

To be honest, your dog probably won’t want to eat a grapevine (they’re not very tasty), but either way, it’s not in their best interest. Tiny grapes that are still growing might be present on the vine, and could cause your dog to become ill if ingested.

It’s not worth the risk.

Can dogs eat grape flesh?

No, dogs cannot eat grape flesh.

Grape flesh, or a skinless grape, can still poison your dog.

Can dogs eat frozen grapes?

No, dogs can’t eat frozen grapes.

Changing the temperature of the fruit, or the manner in which it’s served, won’t change its toxicity. Keep frozen grapes away from your dog.