WHAT HAPPENS IF A DOG EATS RAISINS? 

There are a lot of foods out there that are perfectly safe for humans but incredibly toxic to pets. Dog owners may not know all the dangerous items and keep them in their home. An example of a food that may seem harmless but is incredibly toxic is raisins. Read more to find out why raisins and dogs are a dangerous mix. 

Why Are Raisins Toxic to Dogs? 

Eating just a small amount of raisins can lead to acute and severe kidney failure. Aside from direct ingestion, products that contain traces of raisins such as raisin bread, cookies, and granola bars containing raisin paste can be just as toxic to your dog. It is essential that dog owners are on the lookout as eating raisins can lead to diarrhea, vomiting, kidney failure, and much more in dogs. The reasoning for the poisoning is still unknown and poisoning does not necessarily seem to be dependent on the dosage. 

Symptoms of Poisoning 

The first symptom of raisin ingestion is vomiting. Often, this will happen within a few hours of ingestion. However, the vomiting does not last long, and your dog might look better for the next 24 to 48 hours. Later, they can start falling sick as a result of kidney failure. The following are some of the symptoms of raisin poisoning in dogs: 

  • Bad breath 
  • Decreased urination 
  • Dehydration 
  • Depression 
  • Diarrhea 
  • Increased thirst 
  • Lethargy 
  • Loss of appetite 
  • Vomiting 
  • Weakness 
  • Weight loss 

Treatments 

The first treatment for raisin ingestion is immediate decontamination of the ingested content. After decontamination, your vet will admit your dog to the hospital for IV fluids and monitor them for up to 48 hours to ensure it does not lead to kidney failure. If your dog is having difficulty with urinating, dialysis is used for the removal of waste and water from the blood to help the kidney. Medications can be administered to treat kidney failure. Simple care and attention during hospitalization is very important. If your dog ate raisins immediately contact Pet Poison Helpline® at (855) 764-7661 and your veterinarian for medical help. A trip to the nearest clinic or animal hospital is necessary so your pup receives the best care.