In dogs, grapes and raisins can cause acute kidney injury, and recent veterinary work points to naturally occurring tartaric acid as the likely culprit. Documented cases in cats are far fewer — cats rarely choose to eat fruit — but the ASPCA's poison-control guidance explicitly extends the caution to cats until more is known. With a toxin whose effect is this unpredictable between individuals, the absence of many feline cases is thin comfort.
If a cat does eat grapes or raisins, the concern is the same pattern seen in dogs: vomiting and lethargy within the first day, followed over one to two days by declining kidney function — increased thirst at first, then less and less urine. Raisins deserve special mention because they are concentrated and hide in baked goods, cereals, and trail mix left on counters.
Symptoms to watch for
- Vomiting within the first 24 hours
- Lethargy and loss of appetite
- Increased thirst, then reduced urination
What to do
Contact your vet or an animal poison line right away, even for one or two grapes or raisins. Early decontamination and fluids, before any kidney signs appear, offer the best protection.
Sources
- People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets — ASPCA Animal Poison Control
- Grape, Raisin, and Currant Poisoning in Dogs — VCA Animal Hospitals
This page is informational and is not veterinary advice. If your pet has eaten something risky, contact your vet or an animal poison control line right away.