Short Answer: No! Dogs can’t drink coffee as it’s extremely toxic for them.
As much as it is beneficial for human health, coffee can be lethal for your pets, especially for dogs.
The caffeine present in coffee makes it deadly for your dog, and even a small gulp can exhibit a lethal reaction depending on your dog’s health and breed.
But why does this happen? What’s exactly present in caffeine that can make the drink harmful for your dogs?
One reason why caffeine proves to be toxic for dogs is that it can increase blood pressure and your pet may lose muscle control which can cause seizures and tremors and this could be deadly.
Nevertheless, we should dig deeper to find out more about this interesting topic as we all love coffee and our pets too. So, without further ado, let’s start!
Is Coffee Safe For Pets?
No, coffee is not at all safe for your pets.
You shouldn’t offer coffee to your pets because the caffeine content in it can cause your pet to experience physical discomfort.
There have been numerous reviews and articles that have been emphasizing that cats and dogs should not consume any amount of caffeine as it only takes about 30 minutes to an hour to reach extreme concentrations in their blood, ultimately causing poisoning or clinical toxicity.
In the studies issued by PetMD, specialists have advised not letting pets ingest any caffeine. They also added that the symptoms and signs will depend on the amount of caffeine consumed and the size of the animal.
Can My Dog Drink Coffee?
Absolutely NOT! Dogs cannot be offered coffee.
You shouldn’t give coffee to your dog because the caffeine in coffee can irritate its nervous system leading to an uneven heartbeat.
Nevertheless, a few drops of coffee may not be fatal for the dog if treatment is done promptly. Dogs that are smaller in sizes such as Shih Tzu, affenpinscher, and chihuahuas, may face a more severe reaction to caffeine.
Larger breeds would require a higher amount of caffeine to reach toxic levels.
You can watch this video to get a better understanding of how dangerous caffeine can be for your pets.
Is Coffee Toxic For Dogs?
Yes, coffee can be toxic for your dog.
Dogs tend to be more sensitive to caffeine than humans.
However, a small sip of coffee or tea may not be fatal for your dog as the portion would not be enough to create high levels of toxins in the body.
In addition, as indicated by Pet Poison Helpline, a lick of tea would not poison your dog as compared to ingesting tea bags or coffee grounds which can be highly toxic for pets.
Still, there can be no excuse to offer your dog some caffeine!
What Happens If A Dog Drinks Coffee?
When a dog ingests coffee, the caffeine present in the coffee increases the blood pressure and heartbeats of the dog causing tremors and hyperactivity.
The stimulant may offer several health benefits for human beings but it is not suitable for dogs. Apart from caffeine, the chemical theobromine present in caffeine is also toxic for dogs.
Following are the effects that dogs can face in case of ingesting caffeine:
- neurological disorders
- gastrointestinal issues
- metabolic disruption
- heart abnormalities
Because of the harsh impacts of caffeine on the gastrointestinal tract, your dog will start vomiting and its excitability could cause malfunctions of other organs in its system.
Is A Little Bit Of Coffee Okay For Dogs?
Just to be on the safer side, you shouldn’t let your dog have any amount of coffee.
You should believe that ingesting even the least amount of coffee may result in immediate abnormal heartbeats which can even be life-threatening.
And if your dog accidentally drank some coffee, it is necessary to seek prompt help. Immediately call your veterinarian to induce vomiting. Also, you shouldn’t try to induce vomiting on your own because it can be dangerous too.
Apart from coffee, some of the other food items that you should never let your dog have are:
- chocolate
- tea
- soda
Following are symptoms of caffeine toxicity in dogs that you should watch out for:
- panting
- agitation
- vomiting
- tremors
- restlessness
- seizures
- hyperactive
How Much Caffeine Is Poisonous For Dogs?
Research from the American College of Veterinary Pharmacists implies that 63 mg/lb or 140 mg/kg of caffeine can be poisonous for dogs.
The effects of toxicity level will depend on the amount of caffeine ingested and the breed of the dog.
Normally, larger breeds such as St. Bernard and German Shepherd have a higher tolerance to the stimulant than smaller breeds.
Again, better safe than sorry, do not offer anything caffeinated to your dogs.
The following table contains the caffeine toxic consumption in dogs according to their weight and size.
| Size of the dog | X-Small Yorkie, Chihuahua | Small Pug, Boston Terrier, Poodle | Medium Beagle, Scottish Terrier | Large Boxer, Cocker Spaniel | X-Large Retriever, German Shepherd | XX-Large Great Dane, St. Bernard |
| Weight | 1 – 10 lbs. (0.45 – 4.6 kg) | 11 – 25 lbs. (5 – 11.4 kg) | 26 – 40 lbs. (11.8 – 18.2 kg) | 41 – 70 lbs. (18.6 – 31.8 kg) | 71 – 90 lbs. (32.3 – 40.9 kg) | 91 – 110 lbs. (41.4 – 50 kg) |
| Vivarin Tablets | > 0.3 tablets | > 3 tablets | > 8 tablets | > 13 tablets | > 22 tablets | > 28 tablets |
| Tea | > 3 oz | > 38.5 oz | > 91.5 oz | > 144.5 oz | > 251 oz | > 321 oz |
| Coffee Beans | > 0.1 oz | > 1 oz | > 2.5 oz | > 4.5 oz | > 7.5 oz | > 10 oz |
| Regular Coffee | > 3 oz | > 38.5 oz | > 91.5 oz | > 144.5 oz | > 251 oz | > 321 oz |
| Decaffeinated Coffee | > 78.5 oz | > 874 oz | > 2064 oz | > 3254 oz | > 5652 oz | > 7244 oz |
| Cola Beverages | > 8 oz | > 93 oz | > 220 oz | > 347 oz | > 602.5 oz | > 772.5 oz |
What Are The Symptoms Of Caffeine Toxicity In Dogs?
Apart from the obvious symptoms which I have mentioned earlier in the article, the following are other signs of caffeine toxicity in dogs:
- abnormal heart rhythm
- decreased urination
- hypertension
- increased vocalization
- hyperthermia
Usually, these types of symptoms can be noticed within 30 to 60 minutes after your dog has ingested caffeine.
However, in some cases, it might take more than an hour for the signs of toxicity to appear, depending on the breed of the dog and the amount of caffeine consumed.
Since it takes between 24 to 48 hours for the poisoning to pass through the dog’s system, the symptoms can last for a few days even after providing the necessary treatment.
How Long Does Caffeine Stay In A Dog’s System?
Symptoms of poisoning may start to appear 30 minutes after the consumption of caffeine and could last for 12 hours or more.
A review by PetMD indicates that it takes between 24 to 48 hours for the caffeine to pass through the dog’s system and during the time being it is crucial to administer the necessary medications to prevent further uneven heartbeat and damage to your dog’s organs.
So, as long as you seek rapid help, the likelihood of your dog enduring caffeine toxicity is relatively high.
Final Thoughts
Coffee might be your everyday friend but it’s not a suitable drink to offer to your dog. Thus, it should be kept in mind that coffee is not safe for dogs.
Any other drink or food containing caffeine can be highly toxic for your dog. Even the smallest amount of coffee can be lethal to your pet, particularly for dogs of smaller breeds.
The caffeine in coffee can increase the heartbeat of your dog which can result in irregular heart rhythm and loss of muscle control. Other symptoms of caffeine toxicity in dogs include seizures and tremors.
To avoid caffeine toxicity in your dogs, you shouldn’t let your dog have anything caffeinated such as chocolates, tea, and coffee. Also, please make sure all the foodstuff is out of your dog’s reach at home.
However, if your dog consumes caffeine accidentally, keep an eye on them to track any sign of toxicity, and call your vet for medical advice.
For now, be a responsible pet owner and watch over your little friend all the time!