Fruit
Can cats eat raisins?
Poisoning is reported much less often in cats, but cases of kidney injury have been described. Treat raisins as toxic to cats too.
Why Tartaric acid is the leading suspect; dried fruit is more concentrated than fresh grapes
By Maya HartIf your cat ate some
- Call your vet or a pet poison helpline straight away, even if your pet seems fine.
- Tell them what was eaten, roughly how much, when, and your pet’s weight.
- Do not try to make your pet sick unless a vet tells you to.
- Early treatment — making your dog sick at the clinic and a drip to protect the kidneys — is far more effective than waiting for signs.
Signs to watch for
- Vomiting, often within a few hours
- Diarrhoea
- Lethargy and loss of appetite
- Belly pain
- Producing little or no urine (kidney failure, 1–3 days later)
Dogs and cats, side by side
Dogs Toxic
No. Raisins, sultanas and currants can cause sudden kidney failure in dogs, and there is no known safe amount. Some dogs are affected by just a few.
Can dogs eat raisins?Cats Toxic
No. Poisoning is reported much less often in cats, but cases of kidney injury have been described. Treat raisins as toxic to cats too.
The details
Why some dogs are badly affected by raisins while others eat a handful with no ill effect remained a mystery for decades. In 2021 veterinary toxicologists proposed tartaric acid, which grapes contain in high amounts, as the likely culprit. It would explain why the amount varies so much between grapes and batches — but it doesn’t make any amount safe.
Raisins hide in many baked goods, especially at Easter and Christmas. Because kidney damage can appear a day or more later, a dog who seems perfectly well after eating raisins still needs a call to the vet.
Safer treats your cat can have instead
Questions owners ask
Can cats eat raisins?
No. Poisoning is reported much less often in cats, but cases of kidney injury have been described. Treat raisins as toxic to cats too.
What makes raisins risky for cats?
Tartaric acid is the leading suspect; dried fruit is more concentrated than fresh grapes.
What are the signs to watch for in cats?
vomiting, often within a few hours, diarrhoea, lethargy and loss of appetite, belly pain, producing little or no urine (kidney failure, 1–3 days later).
What should I do if my cat ate raisins?
Call your vet or a pet poison helpline straight away, even if your pet seems fine. Tell them what was eaten, roughly how much, when, and your pet’s weight. Do not try to make your pet sick unless a vet tells you to. Early treatment — making your dog sick at the clinic and a drip to protect the kidneys — is far more effective than waiting for signs.
Is raisins safe for dogs too?
No. Raisins, sultanas and currants can cause sudden kidney failure in dogs, and there is no known safe amount. Some dogs are affected by just a few.
Sources
Tailwise is for general information and is reviewed by veterinary professionals, but it is not a substitute for advice from your own vet, who knows your pet. How we check facts
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