Raisin Toxicity in Dogs: Vet-Approved Facts & Advice

There are quite a few foods that you probably already know not to feed your dog: chocolate, chicken bones, alcohol—the list goes on and on. But one food that doesn’t get as much publicity as some others is also one of the deadliest: raisins.

So what causes raisin toxicity? How many raisins can a dog safely eat? None! We answer all these questions and more below.

What Causes Raisin Toxicity in Dogs?

Raisin toxicity is one of the most intriguing conditions in dogs. The fact is, we are still not completely sure of what causes it, but a recent 2022 study proposed the toxic component in grapes and raisins to be tartaric acid¹. Since the amount of tartaric acid varies by grapes, a toxic dose can’t be established. Another strange point is the fact that not all dogs suffer from it. And we don’t just mean not all dog breeds—it’s truly an individual thing.

One dog can eat them and be fine, while another dog will be dead within a few days if they don’t receive treatment in time or end up developing kidney failure. (We don’t recommend feeding your pup any raisins to see which group they’re in, either.) Also, it should be noted that grapes are dangerous and potentially fatal, too, but raisins are more potent since they are in dry form and therefore, more concentrated.

What Happens if My Dog Eats a Raisin?

The biggest thing you have to worry about is kidney failure and lack of urine production. This can happen in a matter of hours or days, so time is of the essence.

Other signs to watch out for include:

How Many Raisins Can a Dog Eat Before Toxicity Sets In?

There is no amount that is safe to eat. Even one little piece can cause severe toxicity in some dogs, so if you suspect your dog has had even a single raisin, take immediate action and get them to your vet. This could mean the difference between life and death.

What Should I Do if My Dog Eats a Raisin?

The most important thing you can do is act quickly. Call your vet immediately and take your dog to the vet clinic. Even though raisins seem to stay in the stomach for a prolonged period of time, time is of essence, since as soon as raisins are absorbed, signs of toxicity will start. There is absolutely nothing you can do safely at home, and you will just waste valuable time. Your dog needs to see a vet as soon as possible so they can start decontamination to get rid of the raisins in your dog’s body and start treatment to minimize the damage to the kidneys. Vomiting is more successful if done in less than 4 hours from ingestion, and as close to 2 hours as possible. However, your vet may still recommend inducing vomit in your dog up to 12 hours post ingestion. Once the raisins exit the stomach and enter the intestine, your vet may not be able to prevent them from getting absorbed. At that point, it is down to treating the consequences.

Your vet can safely and efficiently induce vomiting by administration of a particular medication unless your dog is already unconscious, having breathing problems, or showing signs of serious distress. If they can get the raisins out of the stomach before they’re fully absorbed, your vet may be able to stop the toxins from getting in the bloodstream.

What Can a Vet Do?

Alongside making the dog safely vomit the raisins up, the vet may try to wash out the stomach while your dog is under anesthetic. They will probably also give your dog activated charcoal to soak up the toxins if it hasn’t been too long since the raisins were eaten.

Your dog will likely receive intravenous (IV) fluids to flush the toxins from their system and encourage the kidneys to keep producing urine. Your pooch will also likely be given medication to control nausea and vomiting and regular blood checks will be performed to monitor their condition.

What Happens if I Wait Too Long?

If your dog gets to the point where their kidneys are no longer producing urine, which is the end stage of kidney failure, the situation will take a grim turn. Some dogs can be put on dialysis to see if their kidneys will recover, but this is a long shot and is not readily available in all countries or veterinary clinics.

A kidney transplant is not really an option nowadays, as it is only carried out on very few occasions and the success rate is quite low. A 2012 study looked at data from the last 12 years, in which 26 dogs received a kidney transplant. It was concluded that the likelihood of complications and mortality rate was very high. Organ transplants involve having a donor dog, which may bring up ethical questions, not to mention the risks for both dogs and the cost of such a procedure.

Sadly, if your dog reaches a point in which their kidneys are no longer working and there is no treatment option, your vet may recommend euthanasia to minimize your dog’s suffering.

How Do You Prevent Raisin Toxicity?

Obviously, the best way to prevent this condition is to ensure your dog never eats a raisin. Don’t even bring them into the house if you can help it, but if you must, be very careful not to drop any when eating them. Store them where your dog can’t get to them, and make sure everyone in the family, especially children, knows how dangerous they are for your pooch.

You should also teach your dog the “leave it” command. You can use this to get them to ignore a dropped raisin long enough for you to pick it up. It doesn’t last forever, though, so any raisin you miss could be a ticking time bomb.

If they do manage to eat one, we hope we’ve impressed upon you the importance of taking immediate action.

Final Thoughts

Despite its lack of publicity, raisin toxicity is no joke. If you don’t want to get stuck with a hefty vet bill (or something much worse), then it’s important to take the condition seriously and do anything you can to prevent it from befalling your dog.

This may mean cutting raisins out of your diet, but is not that a small price to pay for keeping your best friend safe?

See Also:

• What to Do If Your Dog Dies at Home?

• Can Dogs Eat Grapes? Vet Approved Facts & FAQ

Featured Image Credit: forwimuwi73, Pixabay