While you may enjoy the energizing boost from your morning brew, if you are an owner or lover of dogs, know that it is something for your pet to avoid. As a follow up to our article on the dangers of coffee for cats, we thought it would be fitting to cover the effects of caffeine on dogs as well. While dogs and cats sit in different families in the animal kingdom, the effects of caffeine on dogs are still very much the same.
Dog's Sensitivity to Caffeine
Caffeine is a stimulant for humans that gives us a boost of energy that we may need, but it has a very different effect on dogs. Caffeine is a toxic substance to dogs, and similar to chocolate, can be life threatening in high enough amounts.
The Science Behind it
There are many reasons for why caffeine does not get along with dogs, Theobromine, a substance naturally found in chocolate is very similar to the chemical makeup of caffeine, and reacts similarly in dogs' bodies.
The Symptoms and Effects of Caffeine Poisoning in Dogs
While a small lick of coffee spilled on the floor likely won't hurt your pet, the danger usually lies in if your dog consumes a large quantity of brewed coffee or coffee beans. Signs of caffeine poisoning can look like vomiting, diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures that may occur within 1-2 hours of consumption. This of course is dependent on the size of your dog, similar to chocolate, the smaller the dog, the smaller amount of caffeine needs to be consumed to reach a toxic level, but for most dogs, it is about 140mg/kg.
Treatment and What to do if your Dog has Caffeine Poisoning
In the event that your dog consumes a large quantity of coffee, it is advised to contact a vet as soon as possible. Time is of the essence. If it is early enough, your vet may try to induce vomiting before the caffeine can be processed by your pet's digestive system. In other cases, your vet may try to give IV fluids to help with excretion, sedatives to calm the pet, specific heart medications to reduce the heart rate and blood pressure, anti-convulsants for seizures, antacids (such as Pepcid) for stomach discomfort and diarrhea.
Ways to Prevent Caffeine Poisoning in Your Dog
There are many ways you can avoid the issue before it happens. Starting with:
- Storing coffee beans and similar caffeinated items in secure containers out of reach of your pet.
- Ensuring that your trash can is sealed or taking out the trash when you throw away coffee grounds or caffeinated items.
- Educate your household on the effects of caffeine on dogs.
- Reading product labels regularly so you are aware of what ingredients might be contained in an item. (Lots of foods and drinks are caffeinated these days!)
- Also training your dog to "Leave It" as a command, that can prevent them from getting into things they shouldn't be getting into.
So for you dog and coffee lovers out there, just know that as your enjoying your morning brew, that it is best to make sure your pet keeps their distance. You can always play with them after you are energized from your daily cup.