Food safety · 2 min read

Can cats eat Sultanas?

No — dangerous

No. Sultanas are a type of dried grape and carry the same kidney-injury risk as raisins and currants.

If your cat has just eaten sultanas

  1. Move your cat away from any remaining sultanas. Do not try to make them vomit at home — this is dangerous in cats and rarely works.
  2. Note how much was eaten and when, and keep the packaging or a photo of the plant/substance if you can.
  3. Call your vet immediately, even out of hours. Tell them your cat's weight, what they ate, and when.
  4. If you can't reach your vet, call Animal PoisonLine (01202 509000) — paid triage, 24/7 for guidance. They can advise on urgency and route you to emergency care.

What's the full picture?

Sultanas are golden, seedless dried grapes. Along with raisins and currants, they form the 'vine fruit' trio that appears in so much UK baking. Toxicologically they are equivalent to raisins — same suspected compounds, same dose-independent risk of acute kidney injury.

Common sultana exposures include hot cross buns, fruit loaf, tea loaf, bara brith, Welsh cakes, fruit scones, and Christmas cake.

Symptoms to watch for

0–12 hours
Vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite.
12–24 hours
Lethargy, abdominal pain.
24–72 hours
Kidney injury signs — reduced or absent urine output.

Safer alternatives

  • Small pieces of fresh blueberry

Questions owners ask

Are sultanas less dangerous than raisins because they're golden?

No — the colour difference is from the drying process, not the underlying toxicity. Treat them as equally dangerous.

If you're worried right now

Call your vet or out-of-hours emergency vet first. For poison advice, the Animal PoisonLine (UK) is on 01202 509000 — 24/7, charges apply. Your vet can also call the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) directly.

Christmas cake no Christmas pudding no Currants no Grapes no Hot cross buns no Mince pies no Raisins no

About this guidance

Every entry on this site is compiled from published UK veterinary toxicology sources — International Cat Care, Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) references, RCVS-registered practice materials, and peer-reviewed feline medicine literature. Where the evidence is mixed, we err on the cautious side because cats are unusually sensitive to many common substances that are harmless to humans and even to dogs.

This is general information written for UK cat owners. It is not personalised veterinary advice for your specific cat, their age, weight, medical history, or the exact exposure you're dealing with. If your cat has eaten something or is unwell, call your vet first. The Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 is available 24/7 for a small fee and can tell you whether an emergency visit is needed.

Entries are reviewed and updated as new research emerges. Spotted an error? Let us know — corrections are investigated and applied within 24 hours. For more context on how we work, see about and our full disclaimer.

Last reviewed: · By the What Can My Cat Eat? editorial team

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