Popular treat for humans can kill dogs

07:19 PM PDT on Tuesday, July 26, 2005

By ERIC WILKINSON / KING 5 News

PORT ORCHARD, Wash. – Five-year-old Buddy, the Piersons' family dog, is crazy for treats and, as it turns out, for freshly baked cookies, especially when left out on the kitchen counter.

The Pierson family had baked up a batch of oatmeal raisin cookies, heavy on the raisins.

The family did not know that those raisins that the girls love to eat are poison for dogs.

Shortly after Buddy got into them, he started to get violently ill.

Little did the family know that those raisins that the girls love to eat are poison for dogs, just like grapes.

"The people that I know who have dogs, no one's ever heard of that," said Michelle Pierson.

"Veterinarians still don't know why dogs can't stomach raisins and grapes.

Nationwide there have been about 150 cases of dogs getting sick from the fruit. And last year alone, seven dogs died," said Dr. Mike Van Horn, Woodside Animal Hospital.

Bets say add grapes and raising to chocolate and onions on the list of human foods not to feed your dog.

For a 25-pound pooch, 50 raisins or just 23 grapes can be deadly.

"The big things we'll see is within about 12 hours they start vomiting and some dogs will die," said Dr. Van Horn.

Veterinarians say grapes and raisins are safe for cats, but they still recommend straight cat food.