Raisin Poisoning in Dogs
Written By hannah hollinger
Published: 06/24/2016Updated: 11/15/2021
Veterinary reviewed by Dr. Linda Simon, MVB MRCVS
Raisin Poisoning in Dogs - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost
What is Raisin Poisoning?
If your dog eats any amount of grapes or raisins, take him to the veterinarian or animal hospital immediately. However, if it has only been a few minutes since your dog ate the raisins, and you cannot get to a hospital right away, you should induce vomiting. A solution of one teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide per five pounds of your dog’s weight should produce vomiting within 10 to 15 minutes. It that does not work, you can try it one more time with the same amount of peroxide. Do not repeat this step more than three times in 30 minutes. If your dog still has not vomited, you need to get him to a medical professional right away. It is a life-threatening emergency and needs immediate treatment.
If enough of the toxin was consumed, your dog if develop gastrointestinal irritation and vomiting in the first few hours of consumption, and within one to three days, signs of kidney failure will be obvious if your dog is not treated. These signs include loss of appetite, abdominal tenderness, fluid retention, tremors, extreme weakness, excessive thirst, and energy loss. This can affect dogs of any breed, gender, age, or size. 
If your dog has eaten any amount of raisins or grapes, you should go to a veterinarian or animal hospital immediately, even if you do not see any symptoms. Failure to do so can quickly lead to kidney failure, and can even be fatal.
Raisin poisoning in dogs is a serious disorder and can possibly result in acute renal (kidney) failure and death. Although the way in which raisins are toxic to dogs is still considered to be unknown, there are several theories, such as mycotoxin (a toxic mold or fungus), metabolic disturbance, or an idiosyncratic reaction.
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Raisin Poisoning Average Cost
From 36 quotes ranging from $300 - $3,000
Average Cost
$850
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Symptoms of Raisin Poisoning in Dogs
The immediate symptom of raisin or grape toxicity is vomiting, which usually happens within the first few hours. Your dog may seem better after that for about 24 to 48 hours, and then become increasingly ill from kidney failure. Symptoms of raisin or grape poisoning and kidney failure are:
Raisin or Grape Poisoning
  • Dehydration (dry nose, pale gums)
  • Depression
  • Diarrhea
  • Excessive thirst and urination 
  • Loss of appetite
  • Vomiting
  • Weight loss
 Kidney Failure
  • Abdominal tenderness
  • Bad breath
  • Breathing trouble
  • Dehydration
  • Lack of urination n
  • Lethargy
Causes of Raisin Poisoning in Dogs
The cause of raisin poisoning is the consumption of a toxic amount of raisins or grapes. The amount that is toxic to your dog depends on their weight. The toxic dosage of raisins is determined by the formula 11-30 grapes per kilogram (0.18 to 0.48 ounces per pound) and 32 grams of grapes per kilogram of body weight (0.5 ounces per pound) for grapes. However, some dogs may experience signs at lower doses than this. The best thing to do is not feed your dog raisins or grapes at all and keep them out of reach at all times.
Diagnosis of Raisin Poisoning in Dogs
The veterinarian will first stabilize your dog. He will try to induce vomiting with apomorphine, and perform a gastric lavage, which is done by washing out your dog’s stomach with a sterile solution through a tube in his throat. Activated charcoal will also sometimes be used to absorb any toxins that are left in your dog’s stomach. There is no definitive test for raisin or grape poisoning, but your veterinarian may be able to find evidence of grapes or raisins undigested in your dog’s vomit. A complete physical examination will be done which includes body temperature, heart rate, respiration rate, weight, height, and reflexes. The veterinarian will palpate the abdomen to determine inflammation of the kidneys or stomach. A complete blood count (CBC) will be done as well as blood biochemistry analysis, blood gas assay, and urinalysis. The veterinarian will get some images with x-rays of the abdomen to determine the amount of kidney damage your dog has.
Treatment of Raisin Poisoning in Dogs
After gastric lavage and charcoal treatment, the veterinarian will want to hospitalize your dog for IV fluids and observation for about 48 hours to prevent kidney failure. If your dog is not producing urine, dialysis will be used to remove waste and water from the blood to support the kidneys. Blood chemistry values, including renal enzymes, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, and potassium levels should be monitored for 72 hours. Medications such as furosemide, dopamine, or mannitol can be used in anuric renal failure. Hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis may be of benefit if available. Basic supportive care and monitoring during hospitalization are important.
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Recovery of Raisin Poisoning in Dogs
Prognosis depends on many factors including the condition of your dog when arriving and the success of decontamination. The progression of clinical signs can help determinethe outcome. Prognosis is favorable if the kidneys remain intact and supportive care is given right away. If your dog is not urinating, the prognosis is poor. The prognosis is guarded in any dog developing symptoms of toxicosis.
Poisoning in dogs can be expensive to treat. For the "ultimutt" protection against emergency vet care costs, start searching for pet insurance today. Wag!’s pet insurance comparison tool lets you compare plans from leading companies like PetPlan and Embrace. Find the “pawfect” plan for your pet in just a few clicks!
Raisin Poisoning Average Cost
From 36 quotes ranging from $300 - $3,000
Average Cost
$850
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Raisin Poisoning Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
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Beagle
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Two Years
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41 found this helpful

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41 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
ate raisinets and you took hydorgen peroxide.....am i putting her life at risk if i wait 15 hours to take her to my own vet she took the HP 2 hours ago and seems fine. She is about 30 pounds
July 11, 2021
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
41 Recommendations
Hello some dogs are just fine and have no symptoms. Other can have severe issues. It would be best fir your vet to see him
July 11, 2021
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Chihuahua
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Nine Years
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18 found this helpful

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18 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Dog ate one (1) chocolate / peanut butter yogurt covered raisin: SUN-MAID. It was from a small box 0.75 Oz / 21 gram and was one of the smaller pieces. It happened about 45 to 60 minutes ago.
April 18, 2021
Answered by Dr. Linda S. MVB MRCVS
18 Recommendations
Hello, you are through to Dr Linda. Chocolate is toxic but not at such a small dose. Raisins are toxic and, while eating one is unlikely to be a concern, we can't say this for sure. In some dogs, they can be extra sensitive to raisins and may develop acute kidney failure after eating even a small amount. Due to this, a vet visit is best to induce vomiting ASAP.
April 18, 2021
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Dachshund
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Nine Months
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21 found this helpful

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21 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
My dog ate one raisin. She seems fine. Will she be ok
Jan. 11, 2021
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
21 Recommendations
Hello the toxic dosage of raisins is unknown. Someone just one causes issues while some can get a whole box with no issues. It would be best to see your vet. They can start treatment right away.
Jan. 11, 2021
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mixed
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Three Years
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30 found this helpful

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30 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
My dog ate a small piece of a oatmeal raisin cookie. It was by accident and I dont believe he had a raisin chunk in the cookie but im still concerned. He seems fine but it's been only a couple of minutes and he only just seems a little thirsty.
Jan. 10, 2021
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
30 Recommendations
Hello raises can damage your dogs kidneys. Usually IV fluids are given to help flush any toxins out of their system. If they are not eating, vomiting or acting lethargic they need to be seen right away. Your vet can run bloodwork to see if this did any damage to their internal organs
Jan. 10, 2021
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Australian Cattle Dog
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Two Years
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8 found this helpful

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8 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Ate two boxes of yogurt covered raisins
Jan. 8, 2021
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
8 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. By now, I would imagine that you will know if your dog is okay or not. They may or may not have needed Veterinary attention for GI upset or kidney disease. I hope that all is okay with your dog.
Jan. 26, 2021
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Labradoodle
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Minchu
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2 Years
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0 found this helpful

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0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Vomiting
My 80 lb Labrdoodle ate roughly 1 pound raisins. We noticed roughly after one hour after he ate them. I called the vet and they suggested to induce vomiting using hydrogen peroxide. We tried that twice and since he did not vomit, we rushed him to emergency vet hospital. By then, it was already 3 hours since he ate them. They took him inside and had induced the vomiting. They kept him for few hours and sent him back. He was quite active and did not show nay signs of distress. Next day, he threw up once, but there were no raisins. Soon after that he was all normal. We waited for 48 hours and took him to vet for the blood test. All his tests were normal. He since then is eating, walking, playing, sleeping, pooping and urinating well. My husband found almost 200 raising in his poop all together. It's now been 5 full days and he seems to be alright doing everything he did before. I am still worried. Is there anything I should be doing now to ensure his kidneys are fine? Should I take him to vet again? Please advise.
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Cocker Spaniel
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Pepper
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7 Years
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1 found this helpful

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1 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Diarrhea
My 30 lb cocker Spaniel, Pepper, ate 1/2 cup to a whole cup of raisin's by eating a whole loaf of pumpkin raisin bread my mother made. I didn't exactly know how long it had been since he had gotten into it. I took him to the emergency vet and they want $1200 to keep him for two days. They induced vomiting and said A LOT of raisins came up. They gave him a blood test and everything came back okay. He has anxiety and and been howling at night and so they have been giving him a sedative to calm him. I feel just terrible because he has gotten into lots of crap he shouldn't eat and has been fine. He ate a whole DARK Chocolate bar off the counter before and didn't even get sick. Anyways, I don't like keeping him there over night. They gave him IV fluids and want to do another blood test after 24 hours and then again the next day with more IV fluids and a blood test. The blood test are $130 each. Is it necessary to do them everyday while they have him? Also, if the second test comes back and nothing had elevated at all, and he is urinating fine, I believe I should bring him home. I mean, how much of a difference is one more day of fluids and monitoring going to do? I can monitoring him here. They can give him a shot under the skin to give him some extra fluids as well. Ugh, I hate him being in distress and I have a feeling he is okay but I just dont know what to do.
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Chihuahua
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scrappy
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4 Months
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0 found this helpful

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0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
None Yet
my small ( 5 months) chihuahua ate one raisin and it was small but i'm worrying right now he might get sick wht should i do or i need advice! nothing wrong with him just concerned about if its really bad?
Raisin Poisoning Average Cost
From 36 quotes ranging from $300 - $3,000
Average Cost
$850
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