Grape / Raisin Toxicity

Article from Do No Harm Dog Training & Dr. Loudon

Grapes are one of the most common toxicities seen in dogs. The reason grapes are so concerning is there is not a defined toxic dose. One grape could cause kidney failure in one dog and another dog could eat a bag of grapes without consequence. That is why each grape ingestion must be taken seriously. Kids, grapes and dogs are a dangerous combination . Kids tend to drop their food or share food with the dogs. Grapes also roll easily off of the counter making it easy for a dog to snag one. That’s why in homes with puppies and small children I will often recommend avoiding grapes in the house altogether. While the mechanism of toxicosis has been unknown for years, in April 2021 an investigation (Wegenast et al 2022) suggested that the tartaric acid in grapes could be the cause. It’s not just the grapes we need to worry about... It’s also the common baked goods that contain grapes, raisins, or currants in their ingredients, including raisin bread, trail mix, chocolate-covered raisins, cereal with raisins, etc. There is no information about grape juice. However, since the toxic agent is not known, current recommendations are to avoid giving grape juice to dogs. Grapeseed extract has not been associated with nephrotoxicity. Signs and Symptoms of Toxic Ingestion Loss of appetite Lethargy, weakness, and unusual stillness Vomiting and/or diarrhea Abdominal pain Dehydration (tacky gums, decreased skin turgor) Increased thirst and urine production leading to diminished urine production in later stages Kidney failure Treatment Induced vomiting (your vet will likely use an injectable medication called apomorphine) Activated charcoal administration Aggressive intravenous (IV) fluid therapy Antiemetics for nausea Blood pressure and urine output monitoring Serial blood work monitoring of kidneys and electrolytes (q 12–24 h for several days). In severe cases of kidney failure, hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis may be necessary. Asymptomatic patients who have been adequately decontaminated and hydrated should have a renal panel and electrolytes monitored 48–72 hours post-ingestion. If there is no renal damage after 3 days, the dog will likely remain unaffected. Overall, the prognosis varies from good to poor, depending on time to decontamination, response to therapy, and if renal failure develops. While 50% of dogs that ingest grapes and raisins never develop clinical signs or azotemia, aggressive treatment is still warranted.