Act immediately. Raisins (dried grapes) are toxic to dogs and can cause kidney failure. The toxic dose is unpredictable — any amount should be treated as a potential emergency. Call your vet or the Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 right now. Do not wait for symptoms to develop.
Raisin toxicity in dogs is similar to grape toxicity but potentially more dangerous because raisins are concentrated dried fruit. The unknown toxic agent is more potent gram-for-gram. Raisins can cause acute kidney injury that progresses to kidney failure, sometimes silently, over several days. Early intervention is critical.
Step-by-Step: What to Do Right Now
Do these five things in order:
1. Remove any remaining raisins from your dog's reach. Immediately secure any raisins, currants, sultanas, or foods containing them (cereals, baked goods, trail mix, etc.).
2. Work out how many raisins your dog ate. Try to estimate:
- The number of individual raisins
- The approximate weight (if in a package, check the label)
- The type: raisins, sultanas, currants, or a processed product containing them
If your dog ate a food containing raisins (cereal, granola, muesli, bran, porridge, baked goods), try to determine how much of that product was eaten.
3. Note the time. Estimate when your dog ate the raisins. This helps your vet assess urgency and whether decontamination (inducing vomiting) is still possible.
4. Note your dog's weight. If you know your dog's weight (check SafeBowl or recent vet records), have it ready. If not, estimate.
5. Call your vet or the Animal PoisonLine immediately. Phone your vet surgery right now. If it is outside opening hours, call your nearest emergency veterinary clinic. You can also call the Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 (24/7, fee applies).
Do not wait to see if symptoms appear. Kidney damage from raisins can develop silently inside your dog's body. By the time symptoms are visible, serious kidney damage may have already occurred. Early treatment is essential.
Information Your Vet Will Need
When you call, have this information ready:
- Number of raisins — or type of product containing raisins and amount eaten
- Your dog's weight — in kilograms
- Time of ingestion — when your dog ate the raisins
- Any symptoms so far — vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, or anything unusual
- Your dog's age and breed
- Any pre-existing health conditions — particularly kidney disease
Symptoms to Watch For
Raisins cause kidney damage that can progress silently. Symptoms may not appear for 24-72 hours or longer, and some dogs show no early symptoms whilst kidney damage is occurring.
Within 6-24 hours (early symptoms):
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhoea or soft stools
- Lethargy or unusual quietness
Within 24-72 hours (as kidney damage develops):
- Decreased urination or inability to urinate
- Increased thirst
- Abdominal pain
- Dehydration
- Continued lethargy or weakness
After 3-5 days (if kidney damage is severe):
- Severe lethargy and weakness
- Inability or reluctance to move
- Vomiting (may persist or worsen)
- Lack of appetite
- Dehydration
- Breath that smells unusual (like ammonia)
- Collapse
The most dangerous aspect of raisin poisoning is that kidney damage can occur silently. Your dog may show no symptoms in the first 24-48 hours whilst serious damage is developing. This is why blood and urine tests are critical even if your dog seems fine.
Keep track of your dog's urination and appetite. Any change in urination (less frequent, inability to pass urine, or increased urination) is a red flag. Note the time any symptoms develop — this information is valuable for your vet.
Why Raisins Are Dangerous
Raisins (and other dried grapes including sultanas and currants) are toxic to dogs, though the exact cause is still unknown. Like fresh grapes, they contain an unidentified compound that damages the kidneys, leading to acute kidney injury (AKI).
The risk with raisins is that they are concentrated — all the toxic compound in a grape is condensed into the dried raisin. This means raisins are likely more dangerous per gram than fresh grapes. A small number of raisins can contain the equivalent toxic load of many grapes.
Toxicity depends on:
- The number of raisins consumed
- Your dog's body weight (smaller dogs are at greater risk)
- Your dog's pre-existing health status (dogs with existing kidney disease are more vulnerable)
- Individual variation (some dogs appear more sensitive than others)
There is no established "safe" amount. Kidney damage has been documented following ingestion of very small quantities.
What Your Vet Will Do
If your dog is seen within 2-4 hours of eating raisins: Your vet will likely induce vomiting to remove undigested raisins and reduce absorption of the toxic compound. Activated charcoal may also be given.
Following decontamination (or if more time has passed): Treatment focuses on supporting kidney function and monitoring for damage:
- Baseline blood and urine tests — to assess kidney function (creatinine, blood urea nitrogen/BUN, and urinalysis). These tests establish a baseline to track any progression.
- Intravenous (IV) fluids — this is the most important treatment. IV fluids support kidney function, help flush toxins through the kidneys, and prevent further damage. Your dog may need 24-72 hours of IV fluids.
- Anti-vomiting medication — if vomiting continues
- Hospitalisation — most dogs with raisin ingestion require hospitalisation for IV fluid therapy and monitoring
Follow-up monitoring: Your vet will repeat blood tests 48-72 hours after ingestion to assess whether kidney damage is developing. Kidney values may worsen before improving. Some dogs have delayed kidney damage that appears after 5-7 days, so continued monitoring may be necessary.
Prognosis: Dogs treated promptly with IV fluids have significantly better outcomes. Some dogs recover full kidney function, whilst others develop chronic kidney disease requiring long-term management. Dogs treated late or with delayed recognition of kidney damage have poorer outcomes.
Prevention
Raisins are common in kitchens and processed foods:
- Store raisins, sultanas, and currants in sealed containers in cupboards your dog cannot access
- Be cautious with cereals, granola, muesli, and bran products containing raisins — keep them sealed and out of reach
- Check ingredient lists on baked goods, energy bars, breakfast bars, and other processed foods
- Never share food containing raisins with your dog, no matter how small the amount
- Educate family members and visitors that raisins are toxic to dogs
You found this article because you care about your dog. Call your vet now if you have not already done so. Early action prevents serious kidney damage and saves lives.
SafeBowl checks any food in seconds — personalised to your dog's breed, weight, and allergies. Download SafeBowl free.