Is grape vine poisonous to dogs?

Whether you’re on vacation, soaking in the sun while gazing out at luscious grape vines, or you're lucky enough to live near a charming vineyard – grape vines often feel like a slice of paradise. But if you share your life with a dog, these beautiful vines hide a darker secret. While grapes are known to be toxic to our canine companions, you might be wondering, is grape vine poisonous to dogs?

Cherished for its delicious fruit and aesthetic appeal, the grape vine is a common feature in many gardens and vineyards. Usually grown in warmer regions, their leaves are a vibrant green, which transforms into rich shades of yellow, orange, and red in the autumn. They’re primarily grown for their yummy grapes, which can be eaten on their own or for winemaking and raisins.

However, for dog owners and pet sitters, it's important to understand the potential risks that grape vines pose to their furry friends. While we know that grapes, raisins, and wine are canine no-nos, are grape vines poisonous to dogs? Can our tail-waggers safely sniff around and play near these lovely plants or are they also best avoided? Let's dig into the dirt and find out…

Is grape vine poisonous to dogs?

When it comes to the grape vine itself, the main worry isn’t the leaves or stems, but the fruit. 

The fruit of a grape vine is highly toxic to dogs, even in small amounts. So, if your dog is chewing at a grape vine, there’s also a high chance they might eat the grapes that grow on the vine.

If you’re specifically wondering “Are grape stems poisonous to dogs?” or “Are grape leaves poisonous to dogs?”, yes, they can still be harmful! The stems and leaves of a grape vine may still contain residual sap or compounds that could cause gastrointestinal upset or other complications and the stems themselves could be a choking hazard for our four-legged friends. 

If you’re worried that your dog ate grape stem, the grapes themselves, or any worrying symptoms arise, we strongly recommend you contact your vet. 

Are grapes poisonous to dogs?

As we’ve already mentioned, yes, grapes can be highly toxic to dogs. If your dog eats grapes off the vine, ingestion can lead to severe symptoms (which we cover a bit further down), and potentially life-threatening kidney damage. The level of toxicity depends on the individual dog; some may suffer from severe symptoms from even a small quantity, while others may experience no side effects after eating a large amount. As always, we’d still recommend seeking the advice of your vet if in doubt to avoid any potential harm coming to your pooch pal. 

Are raisins poisonous to dogs?

Yes, grape raisin is poisonous to dogs. When ingested, raisins are equally as toxic as grapes and have the same serious side effects.

Is wine poisonous to dogs?

Yes, wine is poisonous to dogs. Wine, like all alcoholic beverages, contains ethanol, which is toxic to dogs. Plus, wine can pose other risks due to the presence of grapes.

Some symptoms of wine poisoning in dogs include:

• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Lethargy and weakness
• Lack of coordination
• Hypothermia and shivering
• Excessive drooling
• Difficulty breathing
• Seizures
• Coma

These symptoms can progress over a few hours or even days and, if not treated promptly by a vet, can lead to kidney and liver damage, hypoglycemia, and other more worrying outcomes for your pup.

Related article: Top things to never feed a pet you're sitting

Grape vine poisoning in dogs

If your dog ate grape vine and is experiencing poisoning from the ingestion of the grapes, it’s important to monitor your poor pup’s symptoms and take them to the vet right away. 

Symptoms of poisoning

Following ingestion of grapes or the grape vine, the symptoms of grape or raisin poisoning in dogs can vary widely, but common signs include:

• Vomiting and diarrhea: these are often the earliest symptoms and usually occur within a few hours of ingestion.
• Lethargy and weakness: affected dogs may become unusually tired or display a lack of energy.
• Loss of appetite: dogs may refuse to eat or drink, indicating discomfort or nausea.
• Abdominal pain: signs of abdominal pain may include restlessness, whining, or a hunched posture.
• Dehydration: increased thirst can occur as a result of kidney dysfunction.
• Reduced urination or anuria (no urine): in severe cases, dogs may show signs of acute kidney failure, including little to no urine production.

Diagnosis

In order to treat your dog, your vet will look for a diagnosis using the following methods:

• History and observation: your veterinarian will ask detailed questions about your dog’s exposure to grapes, raisins, or grape vines and will assess the clinical signs.
• Physical examination: a thorough physical exam will be done to check for signs of abdominal pain, dehydration, or other abnormalities.
• Blood tests: blood tests are essential to assess kidney function. High levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine can indicate kidney damage.
• Urine analysis: urinalysis can provide additional information on kidney health and function.
• Imaging: in some cases, imaging studies such as X-rays or ultrasound may be used to evaluate the kidneys and other abdominal organs.

Treatment

Early treatment from a vet increases the likelihood of your dog making a full recovery. Treatment for grape or grape vine poisoning primarily focuses on preventing the further absorption of toxins and supporting kidney function. Treatment may include:

• Induced vomiting: if ingestion was recent and your dog isn’t already vomiting, your vet may induce vomiting to expel the grapes or plant material from the stomach (make sure to never do this at home as it may result in your dog choking).
• Activated charcoal: administering activated charcoal can help absorb any remaining toxins in the gastrointestinal tract.
• Intravenous fluids: IV fluids are important to maintain hydration, support kidney function, and help flush toxins from the system.
• Medications: medications to control vomiting, protect the gastrointestinal lining, and manage pain may be given to your dog as needed.
• Monitoring: continuous monitoring of kidney function through repeated blood tests and urine analysis is important to track your dog’s response to treatment.
• Dialysis: in severe cases of acute kidney failure, dialysis may be used to filter toxins from the blood and support kidney function.

Prevention

To prevent grape vine poisoning, make sure your dog has no access to grapes, raisins, or any part of the grape vine. Always take care during walks, especially in areas where grape vines or discarded grapes might be.

Growing grapes with dogs can be tricky. If you grow grape vines at home, keep the area securely fenced or train your dog to stay away from these plants. 

If you’re ever worried that your dog, or a dog you’re sitting has eaten a poisonous plant, members of TrustedHousesitters can benefit from our 24/7 Vet Advice Line. Our Team Trusted is here to advise you on what to do to ensure your fur-ever friend’s health and well-being.

Now we know the answer to “Is grape vine poisonous to dogs?”, you may be wondering if there are other plants that are edible to us humans but are toxic to dogs. There are unfortunately many to look out for, including:

• Aloe 
• Rhubarb
• Garlic plants