Can Cats Eat Grapes?

No. Don’t give your cat grapes or raisins. They can cause kidney failure in dogs. Cats have not been proven to react the same way, but a few unconfirmed cases exist. Experts also don’t know what in grapes does the harm. So the safe choice is to keep them away from your cat.

Are grapes toxic to cats?

Experts give mixed answers. The Merck Veterinary Manual says there are anecdotal reports of kidney failure in cats and ferrets after eating grapes or raisins. “Anecdotal” means someone reported it, but no case has been published and checked. Most known cases are in dogs.

Pet Poison Helpline says the same thing: dogs are the animals clearly affected, with only reports of cats being affected too. An ASPCA blog post, on the other hand, says grapes and raisins are toxic to dogs but not to cats.

So the evidence for cats is thin. But kidney failure is serious, and no one can tell you which cat might react. Vets lean toward treating it as a risk.

Why are grapes dangerous?

In dogs, grapes and raisins can damage the kidneys. The ASPCA says tartaric acid is thought to be the cause, but this is a guess. Pet Poison Helpline says the harm is not clearly tied to the amount, and even small amounts can make a dog sick.

Since the cause isn’t settled, there is no amount we can call safe for cats.

What are the signs of grape poisoning?

The signs below are the ones described for dogs. They are the best guide we have for cats too:

• Throwing up
• Diarrhea
• Not wanting to eat
• Tiredness and weakness
• Drinking more than usual
• Belly pain

The Merck manual says vomiting or diarrhea usually starts 6 to 12 hours after eating. Kidney failure can follow within 24 to 72 hours. Pet Poison Helpline says it can show up several days later. Your cat can look fine at first, so don’t wait for signs.

What should I do if my cat ate grapes?

1. Call your vet or a poison hotline right away. Say how much your cat ate and when.
2. Follow their directions. Don’t make your cat throw up unless a vet says to.
3. Bring the package or a sample of what your cat ate if you go to the clinic.

For dogs, vets may give medicine to make the dog throw up, then give fluids through a vein for at least 48 hours. They also check kidney blood tests. Your vet will decide what is right for your cat.

Other kinds of grapes and raisins

Can cats eat green grapes?

No. Green, red, and black grapes are all grapes, and the sources we read do not name any color as safe.

Can cats eat raisins?

No. Raisins are dried grapes and carry the same concern. The sources do not give a safe amount.

Currants

Pet Poison Helpline says currants can be a problem too, and notes that some currants are really small, dried black grapes. Keep them away from your cat.

Can cats die from eating grapes?

It is possible in theory, because kidney failure can be deadly. But the Merck manual and Pet Poison Helpline describe cat cases only as unconfirmed reports, and we found no confirmed deaths in cats. The risk is unclear, which is why a quick call to a vet matters.

What can cats eat instead?

Cats are meat eaters, and they don’t need fruit. If you want a treat, pick one made for cats, or a small piece of plain cooked meat. Treats should stay a small part of your cat’s day. A common guide is no more than about 10% of daily calories.

Keep grapes, raisins, and trail mix up high and out of reach. To check other foods, see our list of foods that are toxic to cats.