If you drink coffee, you might be wondering whether or not dogs can drink coffee too. Here’s what science has to say about it:
It’s not recommended for dogs to drink coffee, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Other relevant research shows that caffeine is very toxic for dogs and it can easily kill them, so make sure that you’re not giving your dog any coffee.
This article will help you understand the scientific answer in plain English. It is written to debunk common myths about coffee and dogs.
The Basics of Why Coffee is Harmful to Dogs
To give you the short version of why drinking coffee may harm your dog, it all comes down to the caffeine.
Caffeine is a stimulant, and the dog’s nervous system isn’t equipped to handle its effects.
The dog’s nervous system doesn’t work like the human body. It is very sensitive to the effects of caffeine.
When the dog’s body comes into contact with too much caffeine, it can cause the heart to speed up and increase blood pressure. This could lead to a heart attack.
When the dog gets too much caffeine, he will be agitated, irritable and have an increased heart rate.
The more caffeine he consumes, the worse the situation becomes. And as already mentioned, the dog could even die.
Can Dogs Eat Coffee?
As a dog owner, you may have wondered whether your furry friend can eat coffee or not.
There are some dogs who do and others who don’t, although dogs will typically eat just about anything.
But this doesn’t mean that eating coffee is good for them.
- First, it’s toxic to them. It contains caffeine, which is very harmful to a dog’s health.
- Second, it contains a lot of sugar. This can cause a dog to become overweight and overfed. You should not give your dog too much sugar because it can harm his liver.
- Third, it contains a lot of fats, which can lead to obesity.
- Finally, it contains chemicals that may be bad for your pet.
So, instead of giving your dog coffee, you should give it something else.
Do Dogs Benefit From Coffee?
In theory, dogs can benefit from consuming coffee by receiving an energy boost and being more alert. However, you should NEVER give coffee to your dog!
Coffee has a lot of caffeine in it. Caffeine is a stimulant and can be very harmful to dogs.
And one more thing: dogs don’t really drink coffee! The only time that they might drink coffee is when it’s mixed with milk and cookies. Even then it’s not okay to give them coffee, even if it’s mixed with something sweet.
They are too sensitive to the caffeine to even taste it and it’s outright dangerous for our four-legged friends.
So, the main reason why you shouldn’t be giving your dog coffee: it’s not good for them.
Dogs are natural water drinkers and have a fairly high water content in their bodies. Just give your doggo enough fresh water and it’ll thank you for it.
Is There Scientific Proof that Coffee is Harmful to Dogs?
Coffee has been found to be very poisonous to dogs. In fact, there is scientific evidence that drinking too much coffee can lead to death in dogs.
The good news is that you don’t have to worry about coffee poisoning your dog. Your dog will be fine if you keep him away from coffee.
You can make coffee for yourself, but make sure that you drink it yourself first.
Eventually, dogs are more susceptible to the toxic effects of caffeine than humans. They don’t handle caffeine the same way as humans.
Thus It’s better to keep your doggo away from caffeinated drinks such as coffee and energy drinks.
Remember that caffeine is considered a stimulant. It’s found in, coffee, tea, energy drinks, chocolate, etc. It’s safe to say that all these beverages contain caffeine.
However, dogs are more susceptible to the effects of caffeine as they absorb caffeine much faster than we do.
Here’s what the Frontiers in Veterinary Science journal says about the effects of certain amounts of caffeine on dogs:
- Mild side effects begin at around 9 mg of caffeine per pound of the dog’s body weight (or 20 mg per 1 kg of body weight).
- Seizures and serious issues start at around 27 mg of caffeine per pound of the dog’s body weight (or 60 mg per 1 kg of body weight).
What to do If Your Dog Gets Sick From Coffee?
If your dog has been vomiting or having diarrhea after drinking coffee, then it’s possible that your dog has ingested too much caffeine.
But if he’s acting normally, then that probably means that it was something else, like a virus, that caused the problem.
To find out whether or not your dog is sick from ingesting coffee, here are some signs of caffeine poisoning in dogs according to the American College of Veterinary Pharmacists:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Panting
- Excessive thirst
- Urination
- Abnormal heart rhythm
- Tremors
- Seizures
These symptoms usually appear within one hour after the dog ingests the poisonous substance.
If you spot any or more than one o these symptoms you need to get in touch with your vet right away.
Sometimes, there is no way to reverse the effects of an overdose. In other cases, you may be able to treat your dog at home.
Just make sure that you are following the instructions for home treatment.
Conclusion
If you think that dogs drink coffee, then you’re wrong. As shown in this article the scientific evidence suggests that dogs should not drink coffee.
Why? Because caffeine is toxic to dogs.
In order to protect your pet dog from toxic substances, you should know that caffeine is one of those. Caffeine is found in many drinks such as sodas, teas, and coffees. Even coffee is toxic to your dog.
Dogs can easily overdose on caffeine because they are more sensitive than us humans.
Now, has your dog ever consumed caffeine?
Let me know by leaving a comment below.
Also, if you want to learn how much caffeine is in a cup of coffee check this article out!
References:
- https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/petcare/household-hazards
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3550263/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11195828/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4801869/
- https://vetmeds.org/pet-poison-control-list/caffeine/
Did somebody say coffee? Two shots of espresso for me, thanks. Oh, nevermind – I’m Simon, nice to e-meet you, dear CoffeeLifior! I like to write, drink coffee and I believe in Jesus. Highly-caffeinated drinks are my thing, but you can occasionally see me sip on decaf (my wife never finishes her coffee). Speaking of which, I’m off to grab another cup of caffeinated goodness now, laters!
