fruit · Danger

Can cats eat raisins?

No. Raisins are dried grapes and carry the same kidney-damaging risk in a more concentrated form, so a smaller pile can do the same harm. They hide in cookies, cereal, and trail mix, so a cat can swallow several before you notice. Treat any amount as an emergency.

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Danger — even a small amountTreat it as a poisoning risk

Can cats eat raisins?

No. Raisins are dried grapes and carry the same kidney-damaging risk in a more concentrated form, so a smaller pile can do the same harm. They hide in cookies, cereal, and trail mix, so a cat can swallow several before you notice. Treat any amount as an emergency.

Source-linked record · Last reviewed July 17, 2026 · Not veterinary advice

Why this answer

Drying concentrates whatever nephrotoxin grapes contain — the suspected tartaric-acid compounds are packed into a much smaller, sweeter morsel — so raisins can injure a cat's kidneys at a lower visible volume than fresh grapes. As with grapes, the toxic dose is inconsistent between animals, which makes any ingestion risky.

Watch for

  • Vomiting or diarrhea soon after eating
  • Unusual tiredness and hiding
  • Reduced appetite and drooling
  • Changes in urination, or none at all, as kidney injury sets in

How much is okay

None — never share raisins, and keep raisin bread, oatmeal-raisin cookies, and trail mix out of a cat's reach.

Keep it away

  • Store raisins and raisin-containing snacks in sealed containers, not open bowls.
  • Check granola bars, cereal, and baked goods for raisins before leaving them out.
  • Do not use raisins as a training reward or floor treat.
Sources and evidence notes (3)
  1. Raisin and Grape Toxicosis in Dogs Merck Veterinary Manual — Grape and raisin ingestion associated with acute kidney injury; dose-response is unpredictable, anecdotal reports exist in cats, and conservative management treats any ingestion as potentially serious.
  2. People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center — Multi-species veterinary toxicology list covering alcohol, chocolate, caffeine, citrus, coconut, grapes and raisins, macadamia nuts, milk and dairy, nuts, onions, garlic and chives, raw meat and eggs, salty snacks, xylitol, and yeast dough.
  3. Household Hazards American Veterinary Medical Association — Veterinary association overview of common food and household dangers to pets, including chocolate, xylitol, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, alcohol, and unbaked yeast dough.

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  • SafeFine as a small, plain treat
  • CautionAmount, form, or frequency matters
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