Realizing “My dog ate a grape or raisin (or a lot of grapes or raisins)” can be scary. To help you navigate this situation, integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby invited emergency veterinarian Dr. Kathryn Williams to the blog. Dr. Williams talks about why grapes and raisins are so bad for dogs and what you should do if your dog eats them. Plus, she answers five FAQs about grape and raisin toxicity in dogs.
It was a surprisingly quiet day at the emergency hospital when Bingo walked in the door. This lively, happy 5-month-old Beagle puppy was not my typical emergency patient. Most of my patients are lethargic, coughing, limping, or have some sort of wound. But not Bingo! He was wagging his little tail so hard that his whole body shook with excitement.
My veterinary nurse talked to Bingo’s family and heard that the kids in the house gave Bingo some of their grape snacks. I evaluated Bingo and determined that all of his vitals were normal. And then I headed out to talk to his family.
Since grapes are toxic to dogs, I recommended that his mom call ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. While she was on the phone with the toxicologists, we gave Bingo medication to induce vomiting. Thankfully, he vomited up about 10 grapes.
After that, I touched base with the ASPCA toxicologists to discuss a game plan. Even though this Beagle puppy’s outlook got a lot better after throwing up the grapes, we chose to keep Bingo in the hospital for fluid therapy and to keep an eye on her.
Grapes and raisins are well-known toxins for dogs, able to cause severe kidney damage even when eaten in small amounts. But what about grape stems? Are they just as dangerous for our canine companions?
While grapes themselves contain an unknown toxic substance the stems have not been specifically identified as poisonous. However there is still some debate and uncertainty around whether grape stems are truly safe for dogs to chew on or ingest. Let’s take an in-depth look at the potential risks.
The Dangers of Grapes for Dogs
Before analyzing grape stems, it’s important to understand why grapes themselves are so hazardous to dogs.
Grapes and raisins contain an unknown toxin that can lead to acute kidney injury and even failure in dogs. The toxin attacks the kidneys’ filtration system, preventing waste removal and disrupting electrolyte balances.
Even a small amount of grapes or raisins can cause toxicity. The minimum toxic dose is not known – some dogs show signs after eating just a few grapes or raisins. Others have no reaction after consuming much more.
Symptoms typically appear within 6-24 hours of ingestion and include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Increased thirst
- Reduced urination
- Abdominal pain
Without treatment, dogs can develop kidney damage or even fatal kidney failure Veterinarians induce vomiting immediately to rid the stomach of any remaining grapes IV fluids help flush out toxins and support kidney function.
Are Grape Stems as Toxic? Unraveling the Debate
So grapes are clearly hazardous – but does this toxicity extend to the stems? There is no scientific consensus yet. Here are the main perspectives:
Grape Stems May Also Be Toxic
Some vets and experts warn that grape stems likely contain the same unknown toxins as grapes. Ingesting stems may potentially cause similar kidney issues. Since the toxic compound itself is unidentified, stems cannot definitively be ruled out as harmless. It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to dogs and grapes.
Toxicity Is Unproven in Stems
Other sources argue there is no evidence directly linking grape stems to toxicity symptoms in dogs. Stems have not been analytically tested for the same toxins. There are also no documented cases of dogs developing kidney failure solely from eating grape stems or vines. Without proof, it’s incorrect to label stems as poisonous.
Stems Pose Other Hazards
Even if grape stems don’t contain toxins, they can still be risky for dogs in other ways. Chewing on woody stems poses a choking hazard, especially in smaller dogs. Stems are also difficult to digest, and dogs may develop gastrointestinal upset if they consume a lot of the fibrous material.
Veterinary Guidance: Better Safe Than Sorry
Since the scientific jury is still out, most vets recommend playing it safe and keeping all grape material – including stems – away from your dog. Here are their top reasons:
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No proven “safe” amount: Even small ingestions may potentially be hazardous. It’s impossible to determine a guaranteed non-toxic quantity.
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No lab testing: Grape stems have simply not been tested enough in dogs to conclusively rule out toxicity.
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Prevention is key: It’s always better to avoid an unknown risk, especially when grapes are involved.
So out of an abundance of caution, vets advise preventing dogs from accessing any part of the grape plant, including stems, vines, and leaves. The consequences of grape toxicity are too severe to risk it.
Warning Signs Your Dog Ate Grape Stems
If you catch your dog chewing on a grape stem or notice remnants in their stool, be vigilant for any symptoms:
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Vomiting and diarrhea – which may contain pieces of grape stem
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Decreased energy level and loss of appetite
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Increased thirst and changes in urination habits
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Signs of abdominal pain like whining or restlessness
Contact your vet immediately if any concerning symptoms develop after your dog ate a grape stem. Timely treatment is critical.
What to Do if Your Dog Eats Grape Stems
If your dog ingests any part of a grape plant, take quick action:
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Contact your vet right away, even if no symptoms are apparent yet.
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Closely monitor your dog for the next 24 hours for any signs of vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or other concerning symptoms.
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Follow your veterinarian’s treatment recommendations, which may include inducing vomiting and providing IV fluids.
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Never wait and see – always call your vet for guidance if your dog eats grape stems or any grape material. Catching it quickly can save your dog’s life.
Preventing Grape-Related Incidents
Here are some tips to keep your dog safe from grapes and their stems:
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Never actively feed grapes, raisins, or stems to your dog.
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Avoid leaving grape stems within reach after enjoying grape-based foods or drinks yourself. Promptly dispose of stems in the trash.
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When serving grapes at home, be meticulous in cleaning up any fallen grapes or stems. Check under furniture too.
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Keep grapes and raisins secured away from your dog, like in a high cabinet or sealed container.
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Monitor your dog closely when spending time outdoors, where fallen grapes from vines or trees pose a hazard.
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Teach kids not to share grapes, raisins, or stems with the dog. Supervise young children around grapes.
With caution and prevention, you can successfully keep your dog away from the risks of grapes and their stems.
FAQs about Dogs and Grape Stems
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
Are grape stems as poisonous as grapes?
It is unknown whether grape stems contain the same toxic substance. Stems have not been conclusively tested. But it’s best to avoid feeding them to dogs.
Can dogs eat grape vines or leaves?
Vines and leaves may also pose a risk, just like stems. No part of the grape plant is proven “safe” for dogs. Avoid exposing your dog to any of it.
What happens if a dog eats a grape stem?
Contact your vet immediately in case signs of toxicity develop. Closely monitor your dog for vomiting, diarrhea, or other concerning symptoms.
Is it OK if my dog chews on a grape stem?
No, dogs should not chew grape stems. While toxicity is unproven, the choking hazard alone makes this risky. Discard stems in the trash where your dog can’t access them.
Should I be worried if my dog ate one grape stem?
Yes, call your vet right away even if only one stem was consumed. Don’t wait to see if symptoms develop – immediate action is crucial.
The Bottom Line
We simply don’t know enough yet about grape stems to definitively say they are harmless for dogs when ingested. Until more scientific evidence emerges, the best policy is keeping all grape material away from your pup. Prevention is always the priority when it comes to grapes and dogs.
FAQ #3: My dog ate one grape. Can one grape kill a dog?
While just one grape may seem harmless, it could potentially be dangerous, especially for a very small dog. It’s still not clear to us why some dogs can’t handle even a small amount of grapes or raisins and others can eat them every day without any problems. The best thing to do is call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center or Pet Poison Helpline for help, even if your dog only eats one raisin or grape.
Grape and raisin FAQs
Over the years, I have gotten many questions about grapes and raisins from my emergency clients. Here are some of the more common ones.