Grapes, Raisins, and Dogs Don’t Mix!  Grapes and Rasins Are Poisonous To Dogs By Your Carmel Pet Clinic

There are certain things that we humans can digest and tolerate well that our beloved dogs should never eat.  Everyone has heard of dogs and chocolate, but many are shocked to hear when they visit our Carmel pet clinic and we educate about grapes and raisins being toxic to dogs as well.

What in grapes causes toxicity in dogs?  We do not know the exact substance within grapes that causes the toxicity in dogs.  Some dogs can eat a several grapes and show no symptoms of poisoning, while other dogs can become very sick and even die just from eating a few grapes or raisins.  Although some dogs seem to be able to eat grapes without any problems, I recommend a better safe than sorry approach to your dog’s health by avoiding grapes and raisins.

What are the symptoms of grape and raisin toxicity in dogs?  Dogs poisoned by grape and raisin ingestion usually start to show symptoms fairly quickly within a few hours then progress without treatment over the next 48 hours.  Symptoms of grape and raisin poisoning in dogs can range from GI signs such as vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, and abdominal pain to kidney signs of excessive thirst and your dog unable to even make urine leading to death from kidney failure.

What should you do if you think your dog ate a bunch of grapes or raisins?  Go to your Carmel pet clinic right away for treatment.  If we catch poisoning early we can make the dog vomit and follow up with supportive care.  Since we are unable to predict which dogs will be completely fine and which will develop kidney failure, I recommend you treat them all as a precaution.

Avoid a trip to your Carmel pet clinic by NEVER giving your dog grapes or raisins.  If you drop a grape, pick it up right away before your dog can eat it in the first place.  For more information on our Caring Hands Compassionate Hearts, click on this link to your Carmel Pet Clinic.