Grapes and raisins for cats
Researched & Compiled by the Pet Safety Hub Editorial Team
Clinical Data Sources: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center & Merck Veterinary Manual
These pages describe clinical possibilities and a Green, Yellow, or Red triage path. They do not diagnose an individual animal or replace an examination by a licensed veterinarian. Read the editorial standards.
Call a poison hotline while you travel
Tap the number for the country you are in. Have the product name and your pet's weight ready.
Can cats eat grapes and raisins?
Do not feed grapes or raisins to cats. Kidney injury is proven in dogs, and there is no established safe cat serving in ounces (grams). Call a veterinarian the same day if a cat eats any, and do not use a home emetic.
Portion and preparation
Do not feed grapes or dried fruit. There is no established safe cat serving; there is no safe home portion in ounces (grams), and a smaller pet can be harmed by less than a larger one. Powder, broth, and baked goods count the same as the plain ingredient.
Why this matters chemically
Tartaric acid is the leading identified kidney toxin in grapes and raisins for dogs, and it is not a safe experiment in other pets. Fresh grapes, raisins, sultanas, and currants all count, and the risk is not a reliable function of how many ounces (grams) were eaten.
What clinical signs can appear?
Signs vary with the amount eaten, the animal's weight in pounds (kilograms), and how much time has passed. The list below is what clinics commonly ask about. It is not a checklist that rules disease in or out for one animal.
- Vomiting
- Reduced appetite
- Lethargy
- Changes in urination
What if this was eaten?
Call a veterinarian the same day if a cat eats grapes or raisins. Remove the fruit, note the amount, and ask the clinic whether to come in; do not use a home emetic. Bring the package and the pet's weight in pounds (kilograms) when you call.
Which agencies regulate this advice?
The FDA regulates pet food and animal drugs in the United States. The VMD licenses veterinary medicines in the United Kingdom, where DEFRA also sets animal-health rules, and the APVMA registers veterinary chemical products in Australia. This page is an educational summary, not a product label or a prescription.