The caffeine in coffee can be lethal to animals.
If your dog has ingested large amounts of coffee or eaten coffee grounds, stop reading here and seek veterinary guidance immediately!
If your dog has had a lap or two of your morning brew, you shouldn’t worry too much but keep a close eye on them.
In this read, you’ll learn what to do if your dog drinks a small or large amount of coffee, how vets treat canine coffee consumption, toxicity symptoms to look out for, and more…
What to Do if Your Dog Drinks Coffee
Dogs are more sensitive to the caffeine in coffee than humans are. Caffeine toxicity through coffee ingestion can be fatal.
Here’s what to do if your dog drinks a small or large amount of coffee:
1. Your Dog Drunk a Small Amount of Coffee
If your dog has had a lap or two of your normal morning brew, you shouldn’t worry too much. A small sip of regular-strength coffee won’t be enough to poison your pooch, even if you own a small breed (Jack Russel, Shih Tzu, Yorkshire Terrier).
If your dog has drunk a small amount of your morning brew, give them some fresh water and some dry kibble. If you notice any side effects, call your veterinarian.
2. Your Dog Drunk a Large Amount of Coffee
You should go to the vet if your dog has drunk a large amount of coffee — a significant amount from your coffee cup — or has eaten coffee grounds, instant coffee, or tea bags.
Coffee grounds (even used) have a higher caffeine concentration than regular drip or instant coffee brews. If your dog eats coffee grounds it can lead to serious caffeine poisoning.
Smaller dogs are more sensitive to caffeine than larger dogs. It’s important to note the coffee brand and roughly how much they’ve consumed before going to the veterinary clinic. This will help the veterinarian decide which course of treatment your dog needs.
What Will the Vet Do if Your Dog Drinks Coffee?
If your dog has consumed a small amount of coffee, your vet will likely tell you to monitor your dog for symptoms of caffeine intoxication. They will probably tell you to come in for an examination if your dog's condition worsens.
If your dog is experiencing caffeine toxicity from ingesting too much coffee, your vet will tell you to come to the clinic. They will examine the dog and induce vomiting if the coffee was consumed less than three hours prior.
In severe circumstances, the dog may be given activated charcoal to absorb and rid the body of excess caffeine before it enters the bloodstream. Aggressive IV fluids may be administered to flush the caffeine from the system.
Medications may also be administered through intravenous drip to sedate the dog, control heart rate, and lower blood pressure.
Dogs that undergo treatment for caffeine toxicity are usually in veterinary care for 24 to 48 hours.
Related: Boost or Bust: How Much Caffeine Is Too Much?
Symptoms of Caffeine Toxicity in Dogs
Your dog may show signs of caffeine toxicity if they’ve ingested harmful amounts of coffee. These side effects usually occur 30 to 60 minutes after the coffee was ingested but this may be sooner in smaller breeds. They can last for 12 to 72 hours, depending on how much caffeine is consumed.
These are the symptoms of caffeine toxicity in dogs:
- Restlessness or hyperactivity
- Rapid breathing or panting
- Tremors or shaking
- Increased heart rate
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Elevated body temperature
- Elevated blood pressure
- Seizures
- Muscle twitching
- Excessive thirst and urination
- Lethargy
If your dog shows any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
Why Do Dogs Like Coffee?
Dogs don't “like” coffee any more than they like puddle water or a piece of mystery meat they found down the side of the sofa.
Dogs are curious animals that explore their world through scent and taste. They often use their mouths to investigate their environment and will eat (and drink) pretty much anything — including another dog’s poop.
Your dog may be intrigued by your cup of coffee. If it’s within reach, they may even take a sip. If it’s black coffee, one bitter sip will probably spook your dog away, and they’ll be unlikely to return for more afterward.
If you drink coffee with milk and sugar, your dog may get a taste for your morning cup of joe and keep coming back for more every time your mug is left unattended.
How to Prevent Your Dog From Drinking Coffee
Make sure to keep all coffee and coffee products out of reach of your dog. Some dogs aren’t intrigued by the smell of coffee, while others seek it out.
If your dog isn’t interested in coffee, doesn’t steal food or other beverages from tables, and doesn’t rummage through the trash, you shouldn’t worry too much. However, if you suspect your dog is curious about coffee, you should take extra steps to keep the substance out of its way.
When you make your morning brew be mindful of leftover coffee — don't leave the pot within the dog's reach. Also, dispose of the grounds properly.
If your dog is partial to raiding the trash bins, store your used coffee grounds in an air-tight container on the counter — you can use coffee grounds on your plants or compost them.
When drinking your coffee, place it out of reach of your dog and take it with you when you leave the room if you think they’ll take a lap from your cup. If your dog is partial to drinking from coffee mugs, make sure to tell anyone who comes around to keep a close eye on their brew.
FAQs: What To Do If My Dog Drank Coffee?
Want to learn more about how coffee affects animals?
Have a read through the answers to the frequently asked questions below:
1. Can Coffee Be Fatal to Dogs?
Yes. Coffee can be fatal to dogs if they consume enough. Dogs (and cats) are more sensitive to coffee than humans. Although a small amount is unlikely to cause harm, the ingestion of a large volume of strong coffee or straight coffee grounds can be fatal.
2. Should I Induce Vomiting if My Dog Drinks Coffee?
Never induce vomiting yourself. If your dog has consumed a lot of coffee, bring him/her to a veterinarian immediately. Your vet may induce vomiting if the coffee was consumed in the last few hours.
3. Is Decaffeinated Coffee Safe For Dogs?
No coffee is safe for dogs. The trace amounts of caffeine in decaf coffee, as well as other compounds in the brew, can cause harm to your pooch. However, if your dog accidentally drinks decaffeinated coffee, they're less likely to experience caffeine poisoning.
4. Can Small Amounts of Coffee Harm My Dog?
Although no amount of coffee should be consumed by your dog, you shouldn't worry too much if they've had a cheeky lap or two while you weren't looking. If you caught your dog taking a lap of your brew and there's still plenty left in your cup, don't worry. Provide your dog with plenty of water and some dry kibble.
5. Should I Take My Dog to the Vet After it Drinks Coffee?
Yes. If your dog has consumed a large amount of coffee, it's best to take them to the vet. Smaller dogs are more sensitive to caffeine than larger dogs — act fast if your dog has eaten coffee grounds or consumed large amounts of coffee.
6. Can Dogs Recover From Caffeine Poisoning?
Yes. Although caffeine poisoning is life-threatening for dogs, as long as they're taken to the vet swiftly, they should make a full recovery in one to two days.
7. What Are the Signs of Caffeine Overdose in Dogs?
If you suspect your dog has consumed coffee and notice these signs of caffeine overdose, take them to a vat immediately:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Excessive thirst
- Excessive urination
- Tremors
- Shaking
- Abnormal heart rate
- Seizures
- Lethargy
8. What Alternatives Can I Give My Dog Instead of Coffee?
Water.
Your dog doesn’t need coffee, tea, or any other beverage for that matter. Make sure your dog always has fresh water, and keep your coffee out of reach if he/she has a taste for the brew.
9. How Can I Stop My Dog From Drinking Coffee?
Keep your coffee out of reach at all times. Make sure your dog always has fresh water available.
10. How is Caffeine Poisoning Treated in Dogs?
In severe cases of caffeine toxicity, a vet will induce vomiting, provide multiple doses of activated charcoal, and supply IV fluids for hydration over 24 to 48 hours. The dog may also be given sedatives and heart medication to calm the pet down, lower heart rate, and reduce blood pressure while the caffeine is excreted from the system.
