Are raisins poisonous?

VETERINARY CARE

I recently read that raisins might be poisonous to dogs. I occasionally give my labradors some fruitcake, which contains raisins, when I sit down for a cup of tea, but none of my dogs ever seems to have suffered any ill effects. Is it just a myth?

Grapes can be poisonous to dogs, as can dried versions of the fruit in the form of raisins, currants and sultanas. This includes foods such as fruitcake, mince pies and hot cross buns, so it is no myth that raisins are bad for dogs. Some dogs can eat several grapes and suffer no ill effects, whereas other dogs become ill after eating only one or two.

The signs of grape poisoning can be variable and it’s not known which substance or chemical in these fruits causes the poisoning. Dogs typically start showing signs between six and 12 hours after eating them, but in other cases it may take days. In the most serious cases, eating these fruits can cause acute kidney failure.

The signs to look out for include vomiting and diarrhoea — possibly with blood — rapid breathing and/ or abnormal drinking or urination, increased drooling and a loss of appetite. Other signs include weakness or inco-ordination, and lethargy. It’s thought that dried versions of the fruits are more likely to cause the more severe symptoms and potentially fatal renal failure.

If you’re concerned call your vet. Do not try to induce vomiting because, in some cases, that can be dangerous. TB

Raisins and other dried fruits can be harmful to dogs, in some cases causing kidney failure