What is the toxic element in grapes(to dogs)?

Answers:
Nobody is really sure exactly what it is about grapes that makes them toxic to dogs. It's been confirmed that even grapes grown without pesticides or fertilizer can be fatal to dogs. Nobody can even confirm the result of small amounts injested over long periods of time.
It is known that grapes cause renal (kidney) failure in dogs. It can only take a handful of grapes/rasins to make a dog sick. But anything in the neighborhood of 2lbs can be fatal. ASPCA has only reported 10 cases, and only 5 survived.

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Beware of Toxicity in Raisins: It鈥檚 Not Just an Urban Legend

Food is a commonly-used motivator. Pet owners naturally enjoy giving treats to their dogs. We reward them for a good deed, for being cute, or for fighting the temptation to jump up on our houseguest. We have a tendency to reward them when we reward ourselves. With society鈥檚 current focus on healthy eating, grapes and raisins are a common snack to enjoy. And why not? They are sweet, tasty, and are a guilt-free treat. We seem to have the mindset that if a food is healthy for us that it won鈥檛 harm our pet but we couldn鈥檛 be more wrong.

Originally thought to be an urban legend, it is now known that raisins and grapes are indeed toxic to dogs. In fact, since the early 2000s there have been documented cases proving that some dogs have toxic reactions to these fruits. The type of grape and the type of dog doesn't seem to matter, and the toxic amount may be a small serving to several ounces. Some dogs naturally love eating raisins and grapes and will seek them out; from the pantry or growing in a vineyard. Pet owners have used raisins as a training treat, and some have mistakenly used them as a "healthy" snack alternative for their dogs.
Exactly what causes this toxicity is not completely understood, but it is the subject of ongoing studies. At this time, ALL cases of grape and raisin ingestion in dogs need to be taken seriously. For dogs suffering from a toxic reaction, the first visible sign is usually vomiting. Vomiting can begin a few hours after ingestion and partially digested grapes or raisins may be visible in the expelled matter. Other signs of toxicity are diarrhea and excessive drinking of water. These two signs can also signify the beginning stages of acute renal failure. After 24 hours or so, the dog may be come anorexic and/or lethargic. Additionally the abdomen may be painful and the dog will cease urinating. Ultimately, the kidneys fail, and without aggressive treatment, the outcome is often times fatal.

Early treatment is the best treatment. If the raisin or grape ingestion was 2 hours or less, the veterinarian will want to induce vomiting to rid the body of the toxin and then administer activated charcoal to absorb any remaining toxins. Aggressive intravenous (IV) fluid therapy is required to keep the kidneys in good health. Additional kidney medications may be indicated, depending on the patient. In essence, early treatment is critical because death from renal failure can occur without intervention.

Be selective when giving treats to your canine companion. Lambriar Vet Supply offers many delectable treats that are designed explicitly for your dog including Pegetables, Liver Nuggets, Liver Snackers, and Sniffers. So remember, only give your pets treats that are formulated specifically for them and save the real food for yourself.

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I heard the toxin was in the skin, not the grape itself, but after reading the above answer, I wouldn't risk it...

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not sure,, mine have been eating them for years.. at least 20years... guess i have been lucky... of course, i don't over do it..