Red: toxic
No, raisins are toxic to dogs. As dried grapes, they can seriously damage the kidneys, just like fresh grapes.
Why raisins are dangerous
Pet Poison Helpline explicitly includes sultanas and dried currants. Stomach symptoms are quickly followed by kidney damage, potentially progressing to kidney failure. According to the MSD Veterinary Manual, tartaric acid, which dogs cannot readily excrete, is thought to be the cause. This has not yet been proven. The danger lies in the unpredictability: in a review of poison control reports, some dogs showed no signs after large amounts of raisins, while others died after a handful. True currants of the genus Ribes are not associated with kidney damage, according to MSD.
What signs should you look for?
According to MSD, most dogs vomit or develop diarrhoea within 6 to 12 hours. Other signs include lethargy, loss of appetite, stomach pain, weakness, excessive thirst and tremors. Kidney failure develops within 1 to 3 days.
Where raisins are found
- Baked goods: Stollen, fruit bread, raisin buns, scones and cakes.
- Snacks: Muesli, cereal bars and trail mix.
What if your dog has eaten raisins?
Do not wait. Call your vet or an emergency veterinary service immediately and be ready to explain what was eaten (plain raisins, stollen or muesli), roughly how much, when it happened and how much your dog weighs. The packaging helps. Do not give home remedies or induce vomiting yourself.
If you suspect poisoning, contact your vet or an emergency veterinary service immediately.
Our free feeding calculator shows you how much food your dog needs each day and how to account for snacks. You can find more on meal plans and treats in our book “Dog Nutrition and Meal Plans” (book in German), and our free Puppy Starter Pack helps you get ready for a puppy. To give your dog a place on your wall, explore our dog portraits from your own photo or choose an individual portrait.
Further reading
- Christmas with your dog: what to arrange in advance
- Puppy checklist: essentials and the first 3 days
- How to calculate how much food your dog really needs
Sources, accessed on 20.10.2026: MSD Veterinary Manual, Grape, Raisin, and Tamarind (Vitis spp, Tamarindus spp) Toxicosis in Dogs and Food Hazards (Raisins and Grapes); Pet Poison Helpline, Raisins; ASPCA Animal Poison Control, People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets (Grapes and Raisins); Cortinovis and Caloni, Household Food Items Toxic to Dogs and Cats, Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2016.
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