My Dog Ate Raisins
Raisins can cause sudden kidney injury in dogs, and even small amounts may be dangerous. Here's what to do right now, when to call for emergency help, and what treatment may involve.
This is a veterinary emergency.
Call your vet, an emergency animal hospital, or Pet Poison Helpline right away if your dog ate raisins, currants, grape-containing foods, or trail mix with raisins.
Talk to a vet now →Need Emergency Help Right Now?
If your dog has consumed raisins and is showing severe symptoms — such as vomiting, tremors, seizures, or collapse — they may need in-person emergency veterinary care immediately. If this is the case, we recommend calling our partner Pet Poison Helpline ($85 consultation fee). They work directly with your emergency vet to guide treatment and help resolve your pet's case faster.
When to call a vet
Go to the ER now
- ● Your dog ate any amount of raisins, grapes, currants, sultanas, or food containing them.
- ● Your dog is vomiting repeatedly, seems very weak, is trembling, having seizures, collapsing, or cannot stand normally.
- ● Your dog is drinking a lot, urinating much more than usual, or stops producing urine after a known or suspected ingestion.
- ● Your dog is a puppy, senior, has kidney disease, or you do not know how much was eaten.
See a vet within 24 hours
- ● You are not sure whether the food contained raisins, but there is a reasonable chance it did.
- ● Your dog ate raisin bread, cereal, cookies, trail mix, stuffing, or another mixed food and the amount of raisins is unknown.
- ● The ingestion may have happened within the last several hours and your dog still seems normal.
Watch at home, call if it worsens
- ● Do not monitor at home without veterinary guidance after a raisin ingestion.
- ● If your veterinarian tells you home monitoring is appropriate, watch closely for vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, poor appetite, increased thirst, or changes in urination and call back immediately if any appear.
What Happened & Why It's Dangerous
Raisins are toxic to dogs
Raisins and grapes can cause acute kidney injury in dogs. Experts recommend treating any ingestion as potentially serious because sensitivity varies widely between dogs.
There may not be a safe amount
Some dogs become very ill after small amounts, while others do not. Because the exact toxic dose is unpredictable, you should call a vet even if your dog ate only a few raisins.
Symptoms can be delayed
Vomiting and stomach upset often start within 6 to 24 hours, but kidney problems may develop over 1 to 3 days. A dog can look okay at first and still become seriously ill later.
Foods with raisins count too
Trail mix, raisin bread, cookies, cereal, fruitcake, currants, and similar foods can all be risky. Mixed foods may add other hazards too, such as xylitol, chocolate, or macadamia nuts.
What to Do Right Now
Remove any remaining raisins or food, keep the package or ingredient list, and call your veterinarian, emergency clinic, or Pet Poison Helpline right away. Do not wait for symptoms to start. Do not give home remedies or try to make your dog vomit unless a veterinary professional specifically tells you to. Be ready to share your dog's weight, how many raisins or how much food may have been eaten, and when the exposure happened.
Common questions
How much raisin is toxic to a dog?
What are the symptoms of raisin poisoning in dogs?
How long until symptoms appear?
What will the vet do if my dog ate raisins?
Is raisins safe for dogs in general?
This page covers what to do when your dog has already eaten raisins. For general safety information — including safe amounts, nutritional value, and how to serve it — see our food safety guide.
Can Dogs Eat Raisins? →Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute veterinary medical advice. Reading this content does not establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. Every pet is different — always consult a licensed veterinarian before making decisions about your pet's health, diet, or care. If you'd like personalized guidance, you can talk to one of our vets. If your pet is experiencing a medical emergency, contact your local emergency animal hospital immediately.