Can dogs eat currants?

No — extremely toxic

No. Currants are small dried grapes and carry the same severe kidney toxicity as raisins and sultanas. Found in many UK baked goods.

Check individual ingredient safety at 247IngredientsCheck.

For a detailed calorie breakdown, see 247CalorieCheck.

✓ Reviewed against PDSA, Blue Cross & Animal PoisonLine guidance · Last updated: 2026-06-17

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The full picture

Currants — the dried black grapes used in the US baking, not the fresh blackcurrants or redcurrants used in jams — share the same toxicity as raisins and sultanas. They cause acute kidney failure in dogs through tartaric acid and possibly other compounds. Toxicity is unpredictable and not dose-dependent: some dogs fall seriously ill after a small amount. Currants are in hot cross buns, Eccles cakes, fruit scones, Chelsea buns, mincemeat, Christmas pudding, and Garibaldi biscuits. NOTE: fresh blackcurrants and redcurrants are different — they are not the same fruit botanically and are generally considered low-risk (though still not recommended).

If your dog has already eaten currants

Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 if your dog consumed a significant amount. Monitor for vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, and loss of appetite. Bring the packaging or a description of the product to any vet visit.

Risks to watch for

  • Acute kidney failure
  • Vomiting
  • Lethargy
  • Can be fatal without prompt treatment

Safe portion size

None.

Safer alternatives

  • Blueberries
  • Apple slices

Does size or breed matter?

Currants carry the same tartaric-acid kidney-toxicity risk as fresh grapes, concentrated further by the drying process — the toxic dose scales with body weight, so small dogs reach a dangerous amount from far fewer currants than large dogs. There's no known safe quantity for any breed or size; treat any ingestion the same way regardless of how few were eaten.

Common questions

Can dogs eat currants?
No. Currants are small dried grapes and carry the same severe kidney toxicity as raisins and sultanas. Found in many UK baked goods.
What if my dog accidentally ate a small amount of currants?
For most toxic foods, a very small accidental taste is different from a significant ingestion — a lick is unlikely to cause the same outcome as eating a full serving. That said, some toxins (xylitol, raisins, grapes) have no safe threshold. If you're unsure whether the amount matters, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435.

Related foods

Raisins no Sultanas no Grapes no
Important: This page is general information, not veterinary advice. Every dog is different, and individual factors (age, breed, health conditions, medications) can change what's safe. If in doubt, always contact your vet — or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline on (855) 764-7661 in the UK.