Can Cats Eat Raisins?
By Pettings · Sources checked Nov 2, 2026
No. Keep raisins away from cats. The ASPCA lists grapes and raisins among the people foods pets should not eat, because they can lead to kidney damage. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes anecdotal reports of kidney failure in cats that ate grapes or raisins, so cats should avoid them too.
Why Raisins Are a Problem for Cats
Raisins are dried grapes, and the concern comes with them. The Merck Veterinary Manual (published outside North America as the MSD Veterinary Manual) says tartaric acid is one proposed toxic principle, and the ASPCA also names tartaric acid as the suspected cause. Dogs cannot clear this kind of acid from their kidneys well. Most of the research is in dogs. For cats, the manual reports anecdotal cases of kidney failure but no published case reports, which means the risky amount for a cat is unknown.
Raisins hide in many foods. Raisin bread, cinnamon rolls, oatmeal cookies, granola, trail mix, bagels and some breakfast cereals can all contain them. Currants and sultanas are also dried grapes and carry the same concern. A cat licking crumbs from a raisin bagel or grabbing a fallen raisin from a child's snack box is the usual way exposure happens.
Raisins offer a cat nothing in return. They are concentrated sugar.
Signs to Watch For
In dogs, the Merck Veterinary Manual reports vomiting or diarrhea that usually begins within 6 to 12 hours, along with lethargy, poor appetite and dehydration. Kidney damage in those dog cases develops over the following one to three days, and a dog may produce little or no urine. Cats have not been studied the same way, so treat any of these signs after a raisin incident as a reason to call your vet.
What to Do If Your Cat Ate Raisins
Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 right away. Do not try to make your cat vomit unless a veterinarian tells you to. Tell them how many raisins your cat may have eaten and when. If the raisins were in bread, cereal or a snack mix, bring the package so the vet can check the ingredients, including any xylitol or chocolate. Acting early gives your veterinarian more options.
If your cat has a medical condition or eats a special diet, ask your veterinarian before offering any food that contains dried fruit.
Common Questions
Can cats eat raisin bread?
No, keep raisin bread away from cats. The raisins are the concern, since the ASPCA lists raisins among foods to avoid and the Merck Veterinary Manual notes anecdotal reports of kidney failure in cats. If your cat ate some, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 and bring the bag to check for other ingredients.
Can cats eat currants or sultanas?
No. Currants and sultanas are dried grapes, just like raisins, and the ASPCA lists grapes and raisins among the foods pets should not eat. The Merck Veterinary Manual mentions anecdotal kidney failure in cats after eating grapes or raisins. Treat any currant or sultana as you would a raisin and call your vet if your cat ate one.
How many raisins are toxic to a cat?
No one knows. The Merck Veterinary Manual says there are anecdotal reports of kidney failure in cats that ate grapes or raisins but no published case reports, so no dose has been set for cats. Even in dogs, reactions vary widely. Treat any raisin eaten by a cat as a reason to call your veterinarian or the ASPCA poison line.
What happens if a cat eats a raisin?
There is no way to know in advance how a given cat will react. In dogs, the Merck Veterinary Manual reports vomiting or diarrhea within 6 to 12 hours and kidney failure over the following days. Because cats have anecdotal reports of kidney failure, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 right away.
Can cats eat oatmeal raisin cookies?
No. The raisins are a concern, since the ASPCA lists raisins among foods to avoid for pets, and cookies also bring sugar, butter and sometimes chocolate or xylitol. If your cat ate part of a cookie, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 and keep the package or recipe handy.
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