The simple answer is no: cats can’t eat grapes, nor should they eat them. Even if this fruit is a tasty snack for us humans, grapes can cause a lot of problems for our cats. While the exact component in grapes that causes harm hasn’t been identified, all pet experts advise pet owners to avoid grapes in cat nutrition.

When cats eat grapes, the fruit can be bad for them. Grape toxicity in cats primarily affects the kidneys, potentially leading to acute kidney failure. This means the kidneys may lose their ability to filter waste from the bloodstream, leading to life-threatening situations. Even a small amount of grapes can be harmful to your cat, so it’s best to avoid offering them at all, even as treats.

What Happens When Cats Eat Grapes?

When it comes to grape toxicity, recognizing the signs early is important to help your cat recover. Unlike some other toxins, grape poisoning in cats can lead to severe consequences, even if only a small amount is ingested. Here are the possible effects when cats eat grapes:

1. Vomiting

Vomiting is often one of the earliest symptoms of grape toxicity. When cats eat grapes, their bodies will attempt to expel the harmful substance from the stomach before it can cause further damage. Persistent or repeated vomiting within a few hours of ingestion. This may be accompanied by heaving or retching.

2. Diarrhea

As the body tries to eliminate toxins, the digestive system becomes irritated, leading to diarrhea. Loose, watery stools that may appear unusually frequent. In severe cases, there may be some traces of blood in the stool.

3. Lethargy

Toxins affect energy levels as your cat's body struggles to cope with the harmful effects of the grapes. Kidney dysfunction also contributes to fatigue. Your cat may sleep excessively, show little interest in play, or have difficulty moving around. They might appear weak or unresponsive to stimuli.

4. Loss of Appetite

Poisoning disrupts the cat's normal metabolic processes, making them lose their appetite. Kidney issues can also make food unappealing. Your cat refuses their favorite meals or treats and shows no interest in eating over an extended period.

5. Increased Thirst and Urination

As the kidneys become stressed, they may lose the ability to regulate fluids effectively, leading to increased thirst and excessive urination. However, in some cases of severe kidney failure, urination may decrease significantly. Drinking far more water than usual or, conversely, struggling to urinate despite repeated attempts.

6. Abdominal Pain

Ingested toxins can cause inflammation or irritation in the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys, resulting in discomfort. Your cat may appear tense, flinch when their belly is touched, or adopt unusual postures to avoid pressure on their abdomen.

7. Dehydration

Vomiting, diarrhea, and kidney dysfunction can quickly lead to dehydration. Dry gums, sunken eyes, or loss of skin elasticity. You can check for dehydration in your cat by gently pinching the skin between its shoulder blades. If it doesn’t snap back quickly, your cat may be dehydrated. 

8. Weakness or Collapse

As kidney function deteriorates, toxins build up in the bloodstream, leading to severe systemic effects that can weaken your cat or cause them to collapse. Your cat may stagger, struggle to stand or appear unable to move at all.

What to Do if Your Cat Has Eaten Grapes?

If your cat has eaten grapes, the situation is essentially considered an emergency. The best course of action is to bring your cat to the clinic for emergency care. Here’s a guide on how to do so:

The first step is to stay calm. Remaining calm helps you gather essential information and act quickly without confusion. Cats are sensitive, so staying composed will help them feel less stressed. 

You’ll also need to call your veterinarian immediately. This is so you’ll have a guide on what to do when your cat has eaten grapes. Our vets and other vets near you will help you proceed with home care or treatment at the clinic.

If your cat has eaten more than one piece of grape, then it’s really important to bring your best friend to the clinic. Make sure you don’t do any home remedies to be sure things don’t get worse.

What Our Vets Do When Cats Eat Grapes

Once you’ve brought your cat to the vet, we will take several steps to diagnose and treat the toxicity. Here’s an overview of what we do. 

Diagnostic Exams

Firstly, our vets will perform a physical exam to check for visible signs of toxicity, such as dehydration, abdominal pain, or lethargy. We’ll also ask you questions about what happened so we can have a better idea of the situation.

Next up, we’ll run lab tests to check your cat’s kidney function and overall health. Bloodwork can reveal early signs of kidney stress, while a urinalysis can show abnormalities in urine concentration. The results can indicate whether your cat’s kidneys are under stress or failing.

In some cases, our vets may recommend diagnostic imaging techniques. We may use an ultrasound or X-ray to check for any issues in the kidneys or urinary tract.

Treatment and Supportive Care

If your cat ate grapes recently, usually within 1 to 2 hours, our emergency vets will induce vomiting to expel any remaining grapes from the stomach. This is often done using an injectable medication.

Activated charcoal may be given to bind any remaining toxins in the stomach and intestines. This prevents further absorption into the bloodstream. This is done to minimize the impact of any grapes that remain in the digestive system.

Our vets will also administer intravenous fluids to flush toxins from your cat’s system and maintain proper hydration. This step is critical for supporting kidney function. IV fluids also prevent dehydration, which is a common complication of poisoning.

Your cat’s vital signs, kidney function, and hydration levels will be monitored throughout the treatment process. This may require hospitalization for 24 to 72 hours or longer, depending on the severity of the toxicity. We may prescribe medications to manage symptoms, such as anti-nausea drugs, pain relief, or medications to stimulate urination.

Safe Fruit Alternatives to Grapes Cats Can Eat

Since grapes are not safe for cats to eat, here are other options you can consider as treats:

1. Apples

Apples are fruits high in fiber and vitamins C and K, which can support your cat’s digestion and overall health. Always remove the seeds and core since they contain cyanide, which is toxic to cats. Cut the flesh into small, bite-sized pieces for easy consumption.

2. Blueberries

Blueberries are great options as well. These fruits are rich in antioxidants, vitamins C and K, and are low in calories, making them a healthy snack. Offer a few fresh or frozen blueberries as a treat. Ensure they are washed thoroughly and free of added sugars or syrups.

3. Bananas

Bananas are a great source of potassium and fiber, which can aid in digestion and energy metabolism. Peel the banana and cut it into small pieces for your cat to eat slowly. Avoid overfeeding, as bananas are high in natural sugars.

4. Watermelon

Watermelon is great for hydrating and provides vitamins A and C. Its high water content makes it a refreshing treat on hot days. Remove the seeds and rind to avoid issues such as choking. Offer small chunks of the flesh to your cat.

5. Pumpkin

Pumpkin is rich in fiber and will be great for digestive issues, such as diarrhea. It also contains vitamin A. Use plain, cooked pumpkin without any added spices or sweeteners. The texture will be great for cats. 

6. Strawberries

Strawberries are filled with antioxidants and vitamin C. They are also low in calories, making them a guilt-free treat. Wash the strawberry thoroughly, remove the green stem, and cut it into small pieces before offering it to your cat.

Conclusion

Grapes are highly toxic to cats and should never be included in their diet. Even a small amount of the fruit can be dangerous for our best friends. Luckily, there are plenty of safe fruit options that your cat can enjoy as an occasional treat.