CLIENT QUESTIONS: Can Dogs Eat Grapes?

A question we get asked a lot at Bugsy HQ. Can dogs eat grapes? And why? Why not? It's an interesting question.

There has been quite a bit of research in the last few years debunking why grapes are harsh on doggy digestion and we’re here to break it down for you.

So can dogs eat grapes? NO! They can't - and here’s why.  

What happens?

The primary reason why dogs cannot digest grapes properly is because they have been proven to cause renal failure. The research is still unclear, however, what we can assume is that there is a component in the grapes in varying quantities that your dog cannot digest and therefore leads to renal failure. This is similar to that of raisins and sultanas [1]. 

It has also been shown in various studies that it can cause kidney failure as well. This is due to dogs inability to metabolise tannins, flavonoids, and monosaccharides from grapes [2].

A recent study concluded that neurological damage to the forebrain and cerebellum was present in over 75% of dogs affected by grape ingestion. This can be caused due to systemic hypertension, uremia (a buildup of toxins in the blood) and structural damage to the central nervous system [3]. 

If I dropped a grape on the floor, do I need to go see a vet ASAP?

To break it down for you….

For a 5kg dog, the toxic dosage of grapes ingested is 18 grapes.

The Potential Lowest Toxic Dose is 2 grapes.

For a 10kg dog, the toxic dosage of grapes ingested is 37 grapes.

The Potential Lowest Toxic Dose is 5 grapes.

Please keep in mind that this is a guide and “there have been incidences of dogs being poisoned after eating significantly fewer grapes or raisins than the reported toxic dose” [4].

Symptoms to look out for:

Here are some of the common symptoms that show post consumption of grapes, sultanas and raisins. If your dog is showing any of these symptoms, please contact your vet as soon as possible:

• Vomiting
• Anorexia
• Diarrhoea 
• Lethargy
• Increased thirst
• Excessive urination [5]

Vomiting is normally present 24-48 hours post ingestion [6]

One of our favourite alternatives?

Dogs can't eat grapes… that’s a fact… but they can eat blueberries!

Blueberries are extremely nutritious to dogs and here’s way:

• Berries are a fantastic antioxidant 
• They are high in fibre and Vitamin C

Berries can be used as a treat for your pup, keeping them happy and healthy at the same time!

Our recommendation? 

VARIETY PACK | Air-Dried 'Taste Pack' (Save 15% Off RRP)

Bugsy's dry pet meals contain only human-grade meats, nutrient dense offal and dog-friendly vegetables. Each meal is 100% complete and nutritionally balanced, so you can rest assured you're feeding your pets the tastiest, most nutritious food available.

Developed by our canine nutrition specialist, Joanne Cooper together with a PhD Nutritionist, our Dry Food formulations are designed to ensure your pet has a perfectly balanced diet.

References:

Ref [1]

Campbell, A. (2007). Grapes, raisins and sultanas, and other foods toxic to dogs. UK Vet Companion Animal, 12(1), 77-79.  https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2044-3862.2007.tb00121.x  

Ref [4] 

Avery, D. A. (2022, March 29). Raisin + grape poisoning in dogs - how many will kill? Our Pet's Health. Retrieved December 20, 2022, from https://ourpetshealth.com/info/are-raisins-poisonous-for-dogs

Ref [2] [5] 

WebMD. (n.d.). All about grape poisoning in dogs and how to avoid it. WebMD. Retrieved November 22, 2022, from https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/why-dogs-cant-eat-grapes#:~:text=Why%20Can't%20Dogs%20Eat,flavonoids%2C%20and%20monosaccharides%20from%20grapes 

Ref [3] [6]

Schweighauser, A., Henke, D., Oevermann, A., Gurtner, C., & Francey, T. (2020). Toxicosis with grapes or raisins causing acute kidney injury and neurological signs in dogs. Journal of veterinary internal medicine, 34(5), 1957-1966. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15884