✓ Reviewed against PDSA, Blue Cross & Animal PoisonLine guidance · Last reviewed: 2026-07

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.

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Keep your dog protected: While you're here — vet-strength flea & worm treatments from Best Vet Care, or Stronghold spot-on from Canada Pet Care.

The full picture

Currants — the dried black grapes used in UK 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).

Safe portion size

None.

While you're checking what your dog can safely eat, make sure their flea and worm protection is up to date too.