What Happens If A Dog Consumes Caffeine

Many Americans can't start their day without a cup of coffee. The caffeinated beverage provides a surge of energy and alertness that helps them tackle pending tasks or perk up before the morning commute. While caffeine also comes in products like tea, energy drinks, and chocolate, two-thirds of Americans get their kick from drinking coffee daily, collectively consuming around 517 million cups, according to the 2022 National Coffee Data Trends report. Coffee in moderation can be a nice pick-me-up for humans, but caffeine in any form is toxic for our canine friends.

Caffeine stimulates the cardiac and central nervous systems and can cause issues in the gastrointestinal tract of a dog. Consumption of the stimulant may then result in a wide range of side effects ranging from vomiting to body tremors. Depending on the amount ingested, its effects can be mild to fatal. A good general rule regarding caffeine in products from cola to tea is to include it in the list of foods dogs can't eat and keep it out of reach. Additionally, never leave coffee grounds out in your house if you have canines running around.

Speaking with the American Medical Association regarding how humans process caffeine, preventive cardiologist Stephen Devries, MD, explained, "Caffeine is rapidly absorbed, typically within 45 minutes, and is metabolized in the liver at rates subject to significant genetic variability." Dogs, however, process the stimulant differently, with the Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota indicating symptoms can appear within 30 to 60 minutes of consumption and persist as long as 12 to 48 hours.

The side effects of caffeine toxicity will vary depending on the amount consumed and the size of the dog. The American College of Veterinary Pharmacists highlights this difference, indicating that a smaller dog, like a pug, will experience caffeine toxicity if they consume over 38.5 ounces of coffee. Comparatively, an XX-large breed, such as a great dane, may experience toxicity by ingesting over 321 ounces. Coffee beans have a higher toxicity, with over 1 ounce enough to cause a reaction in a small breed and 10 ounces in an XX-large breed.

PetMD lists the signs of caffeine toxicity as restlessness, hyperactivity, vomiting, agitation, seizures, elevated heart rate, high blood pressure, hyperthermia, or tremors. If left untreated, these symptoms can be fatal.

A quick lick of soda or coffee likely won't cause severe effects in dogs; however, consuming a tea bag or coffee grounds merits more serious concern. While you may consider inducing vomiting at home using salt or hydrogen peroxide after realizing your pet has consumed caffeine, you should resist the urge. Instead, veterinarians recommend only inducing vomiting under the guidance of poison control or in a clinic due to risks such as aspiration pneumonia, an inflammation of the lungs caused by foreign substances, if done incorrectly.

When taking a pet to the veterinarian, bring any relevant wrappers or labels to help them determine the amount of caffeine consumed and potential poisoning severity. A veterinarian may address caffeine toxicity by inducing vomiting and giving the dog activated charcoal to absorb any remaining toxins. An IV may be required in the case of dehydration, and follow-up medication to manage symptoms may be prescribed. If you don't know how much of the tonix your curious pup may have consumed, always err on the side of caution and take them to your veterinarian right away so they can administer the appropriate treatment.

If you believe your pet has consumed a toxic substance and you can't reach your veterinarian or an emergency clinic, please contact the ASPCA 24/7 Poison Control Hotline at 888-426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661.