Can Yorkies eat grapes & raisins?
No. Grapes, raisins, and currants can cause sudden kidney failure in dogs, and the toxic amount is unpredictable. Never feed them to a Yorkie.
Grapes and their dried forms (raisins, sultanas, currants) are linked to acute kidney injury in dogs. The exact toxin is now thought to involve tartaric acid, but sensitivity varies enormously between dogs — some react to very small amounts — so no quantity is considered safe.
What Yorkie owners need to know
- Both fresh grapes and dried forms are implicated; raisins are more concentrated.
- Reactions are unpredictable: there is no reliable 'safe' number of grapes for a dog of any size.
- Watch for vomiting, lethargy, reduced appetite, and changes in urination — but don't wait for signs before seeking help.
How preparation changes the answer
| Preparation | Status | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh grapes | Toxic — do not feed | Toxic; seedless and peeled are not safer. |
| Raisins / sultanas / currants | Toxic — do not feed | More concentrated; often hidden in baked goods and trail mix. |
Risks & things to watch
- Acute kidney injury, which can be severe and sometimes fatal.
- Unpredictable dose response — small amounts have caused illness in some dogs.
- Raisins hide in trail mix, baked goods, and cereals.
If your Yorkie ate too much
Treat any grape or raisin ingestion as an emergency, even a single one. Early veterinary care (decontamination and kidney monitoring) gives the best outcome.
Frequently asked questions
How many grapes are dangerous for a Yorkie?
There isn't a known safe number. Because sensitivity varies and Yorkies are small, treat any ingestion as a reason to call your vet or a poison-control line right away.
My Yorkie ate a single raisin that fell on the floor — what should I do?
Treat it as urgent even if it was just one and your dog seems fine. Call your vet or a poison-control line right away; early decontamination and kidney monitoring give the best outcome. Note roughly how many and when.
Sources
We cite authoritative veterinary, regulatory, and nutrition sources so you can check the evidence yourself.
- Poison controlASPCA Animal Poison Control CenterGrapes & Raisins (Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants)
Supports: Grape/raisin toxicity and acute kidney injury risk in dogs. · Accessed 2026-07-09
- Veterinary manualMerck Veterinary ManualGrape, Raisin, and Tamarind (Vitis spp, Tamarindus spp) Toxicosis in Dogs
Supports: Grape/raisin toxicosis in dogs; individual susceptibility varies and no reliably safe dose is established. · Accessed 2026-07-09
- Poison controlASPCA Animal Poison Control CenterToxic and Non-Toxic Plants / People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets
Supports: Classification of foods that are toxic or dangerous to dogs. · Accessed 2026-07-01
The Yorkiefood Editorial Team
We research Yorkshire Terrier feeding from regulatory bodies, veterinary manuals, poison-control centres, and peer-reviewed nutrition literature, then explain it plainly. We are careful researchers, not veterinarians — our pages cite their sources so you can check the evidence yourself, and we always defer to your own vet for your dog.
First published 2026-07-01 · Last reviewed 2026-07-01
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Related foods
Chocolate
No. Chocolate is toxic to dogs, and for a dog as small as a Yorkie even a little can be dangerous. Darker and baking chocolate are the most dangerous.
Onions & Garlic
No. Onions, garlic, leeks, and chives (the allium family) damage a dog's red blood cells and can cause anaemia. Powders and cooked forms count too.
Apple
Yes, the flesh — apple slices are a crunchy, safe treat once you remove the core and seeds and cut them into small pieces.
Applesauce
In small amounts — only plain, unsweetened applesauce with no added sugar, cinnamon, or sweeteners is okay for Yorkies, and just a spoonful.
Apricot
Yes — a little ripe apricot flesh is safe for Yorkies once the pit and any stem or leaves are removed, but the pit is a serious choking and cyanide hazard, so it must always come out.
Avocado
Use caution. Avocado flesh is not a common cause of serious poisoning in dogs, but the pit is a real choking and obstruction hazard and the flesh is very fatty — so it's not a good fit for a Yorkie.