Yellow: with caution
Take care: the sources disagree here. The MSD Veterinary Manual states that true currants of the genus Ribes have not been linked to kidney damage. The Pet Poison Helpline, however, lists “currants” alongside toxic grapes and raisins.
Where the disagreement comes from
In English, “currants” can mean both fresh Ribes berries and dried Zante currants. According to MSD, the latter belong to the genus Vitis, making them small grapes that, like raisins, can cause kidney failure in dogs. The Pet Poison Helpline does not specify which fruit it means. The ASPCA plant database has no entry for Ribes currants. Because the sources do not agree, fresh currants are marked yellow here.
What to watch for
- Zante currants are off the menu: They appear in stollen, raisin buns, muesli and baked goods. Treat them like raisins.
- Be cautious with fresh berries: If you offer any, give only a few redcurrants or blackcurrants, not a whole cluster.
- No jelly or juice: Currant jelly and juice contain a lot of sugar.
- Bushes in the garden: Watch whether your dog helps themselves, and pick up fallen fruit.
What if your dog has eaten some?
If your dog has eaten dried Zante currants, raisins or baked goods containing them, call your vet immediately, just as you would for grapes. According to MSD, many dogs vomit within 6 to 12 hours. If your dog has eaten fresh currants from the garden, monitor them. Call your vet if your dog vomits, develops diarrhoea or seems lethargic.
If you suspect poisoning, take your dog to a vet or an emergency veterinary service immediately.
Snacks count towards the daily food allowance. Our free food calculator works out how much your dog needs, and you can find a complete feeding plan with guidelines for treats in our book “Hundeernährung und Futterplan” (book in German). New to life with a puppy? Our free Puppy Starter Pack can help. And if you would love to see your dog on your living room wall, explore our dog portraits from your own photo, available as a framed portrait or digital file.
Further reading
- Christmas with your dog: what to arrange beforehand
- Calculating your dog’s food allowance: how much your dog really needs
- Puppy checklist: essentials and the first 3 days
Sources, accessed on 20.10.2026: MSD Veterinary Manual, Grape, Raisin, and Tamarind (Vitis spp, Tamarindus spp) Toxicosis in Dogs; Pet Poison Helpline, Picnic Dangers Poisonous to Dogs; ASPCA, Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants, dog list (no entry for Ribes).
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