Can dogs eat it?
Are raisins dangerous for dogs?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Raisins and sultanas are dried grapes and can cause serious kidney injury in dogs. Zante currants are also dried grapes; they are different from true currants of the Ribes genus. If your dog has eaten raisins or a food containing them, contact a vet immediately, even if the dog appears well.
Smaller fruit, concentrated risk
Merck distinguishes Zante currants from true Ribes currants, which have not been associated with the same kidney injury. The name on a recipe is not always enough to identify the ingredient, so keep the packet or recipe for the veterinary team.
Do not calculate a supposedly safe portion at home. A veterinary assessment should consider the actual exposure.
Where raisins hide in a normal kitchen
Check the ingredients of mixed foods rather than relying on the product name.
Hot cross buns, fruit loaf, scones, flapjacks, granola, muesli, breakfast cereal, trail mix, Christmas pudding, mince pies, fruitcake, Eccles cakes, some curries and couscous salads. Chocolate and raisin combinations are doubly risky.
What to have ready when you call
Your vet will want to know your dog's weight, roughly how many raisins were eaten, what food they were in, and when it happened. Keep the packaging if you can, because it helps judge the amount.
Do not try to make your dog sick at home. Leave that decision and method to the vet, who can act quickly and safely if it is needed.
Check shared food before it reaches the dog
Keep fruit-containing baking in closed storage, clear plates after visitors leave and ask the household not to share food without checking it. If you cannot identify an ingredient after an exposure, tell the vet what you do know rather than delaying the call.
Key takeaways
- Raisins, sultanas and Zante currants are dried grapes.
- Read the ingredients of baking, cereals and mixed snacks.
- There is no amount that vets consider safe.
- Note the food, amount and time eaten, then call your vet right away.