Why Raisins and Grapes Are Dangerous for Dogs: Essential Facts for Pet Owners

I always worry about the health and well being of my dogs and today I was reminded that raisins and grapes can be toxic to dogs.

While reading the Only Official Blog Guide Dogs For The Blind I came across the article: A Grape Reminder.  Here’s a little excerpt from that article:

Several years ago I received an email warning how raisins and grapes could be toxic to your dog.  It seems odd because raisins and grapes are such a common food for humans.  I see children eating raisins out of the little sun-made raisins box on almost a daily basis.  I have the image of ancient rome and the ruling class being hand-fed grapes.  If you’re as old as me then you might remember the California Raisins commercial with dancing raisins singing “I heard it through the grape vine.”  Those are some of my fond memories of grapes and raisins.

Never in my dreams had I thought of grapes and raisins killing my dog.  However, now that you know that they can be poisonous be sure and keep your dog away from them and by god don’t use them as a dog treat.

Grapes, Raisins, and Dogs

I had a few close calls in recent years with grapes, raisins, and dogs.  About two years ago my friends one year old twins were eating raisins out of the little sun-made raisin box.  As kids do he dropped more raisins on the ground then he put in his mouth.  Lucky for me I knew raisins were toxic to dogs and I kept Derby from eating any of them out of the sand.

My second close call was probably only one year ago.  My girlfriend unknowingly fed Stetson a couple of grapes as treats thinking that it was a fruit and harmless to dogs.  That was a scary moment and I kept a close eye on Stetson to be sure that he didn’t show any signs of sickness.  Some of the symptoms mentioned in the article from Guide Dogs for the Blind mention:

Lucky for me Stetson was okay, but at any sign of sickness we would have been at the emergency vet.

Be careful what you feed your dog.  Some of the things we eat as humans are toxic to your dogs and remember the two common foods we mentioned today: raisins and grapes can be toxic to dogs.

Have you had any problems with your dogs eating raisins or grapes?  What other common foods do you know about that are toxic to dogs?

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