Can Dogs Drink Coffee? Why Even a Little Can Be Dangerous

For many of us, coffee is simply part of the morning.

Make coffee.

Drink coffee.

Walk dog.

Or, if you’ve organized your priorities correctly, walk dog to the coffee shop and drink coffee there.

But while dogs can certainly participate in the ritual, they shouldn’t participate in the actual drinking.

Dogs should not drink coffee.

Coffee contains caffeine, and caffeine can be toxic to dogs. How serious an accidental exposure is depends on several things, including the size of the dog, how much was consumed and exactly what type of coffee or caffeine product they got into.

A couple of licks from the bottom of a mug is very different from eating coffee grounds or getting into a container of instant coffee.

But none of them belong on the dog’s menu.

Why Is Coffee Dangerous for Dogs?

The problem is caffeine.

Caffeine is a stimulant. In people, that’s largely why we drink it.

It makes us more alert, can increase our heart rate and occasionally convinces us that answering emails at 6:30 in the morning is an excellent idea.

Dogs are considerably more sensitive to caffeine than we are.

Enough caffeine can overstimulate a dog’s nervous system and cardiovascular system, potentially causing serious illness.

That’s why coffee shouldn’t be treated like a beverage a dog can occasionally share with you.

Your coffee is yours.

The dog can have the walk.

Can Dogs Drink Regular Brewed Coffee?

No.

Regular brewed coffee contains caffeine, whether it comes from a drip coffee maker, French press, pour-over, espresso machine or the enormous mug you carry around the house all morning.

If a dog manages a tiny lick of spilled coffee, that doesn’t automatically mean an emergency is developing.

But deliberately giving a dog coffee isn’t safe, and a dog that consumes a meaningful amount should be taken seriously.

The dog’s size matters too.

The same amount of caffeine represents a much larger exposure for a Chihuahua than it does for a Great Dane.

Can Dogs Drink Instant Coffee?

Instant coffee isn’t a safe alternative.

It still contains caffeine.

More importantly, dry instant coffee is concentrated compared with the finished drink.

A dog getting into a jar or packet of instant coffee can therefore be considerably more concerning than a dog taking a lick from someone’s prepared cup.

If your dog has eaten instant coffee powder or granules, don’t assume it’s harmless because it wasn’t brewed.

Contact your veterinarian or an animal poison service for advice.

What About Decaf Coffee?

Decaffeinated does not necessarily mean completely caffeine-free.

Decaf coffee generally contains much less caffeine than regular coffee, so the caffeine risk is substantially lower.

That still doesn’t make it a beverage worth introducing to your dog.

There’s no nutritional reason for a dog to drink coffee, caffeinated or otherwise, and whatever you’ve added to your cup may create additional problems.

Water remains considerably less fashionable.

It is also considerably better for your dog.

Coffee Beans and Coffee Grounds Can Be More Dangerous

This is where coffee becomes particularly important to keep away from dogs.

Coffee beans and used or unused coffee grounds can contain significant amounts of caffeine.

They’re also concentrated compared with a few drops of finished coffee.

That means the dog who knocks over your mug and takes two licks is not necessarily in the same situation as the dog who tears into a bag of coffee beans, raids the compost or eats coffee grounds from the garbage.

If your dog has eaten coffee beans, coffee grounds or a substantial amount of instant coffee, contact a veterinarian or animal poison service promptly.

Don’t wait for obvious symptoms before asking what to do.

What If the Coffee Has Milk or Cream?

Adding milk doesn’t cancel the caffeine.

Neither does cream.

A latte may contain considerably more milk than coffee, but the espresso in it still contains caffeine.

Dairy products can also cause digestive upset in some dogs, particularly when consumed in larger quantities.

So while the contents of a latte may be more diluted than a straight espresso, it still isn’t a dog drink.

And then there are all the other things we’ve decided coffee apparently needs.

Flavoured Coffee Can Create Additional Problems

Modern coffee orders can become impressively complicated.

Syrups.

Chocolate.

Whipped cream.

Sweeteners.

Flavoured powders.

Caramel drizzle.

Possibly three instructions regarding the precise temperature of the milk.

Some of those additions can introduce hazards beyond caffeine.

Chocolate and cocoa, for example, contain methylxanthines that are also dangerous to dogs.

Certain sugar-free products can contain xylitol, a sweetener that is highly toxic to dogs.

That means if your dog drinks a specialty coffee, it’s useful to know more than simply how much coffee disappeared.

Find out exactly what was in the drink.

That information can be important when you speak with your veterinarian.

My Dog Drank Coffee. What Should I Do?

First, remove the coffee so your dog can’t consume any more.

Then try to determine:

what kind of coffee or caffeine product it was
approximately how much your dog consumed
when it happened
your dog’s approximate weight
what else was in the drink

If your dog consumed more than a trivial amount, ate coffee beans or grounds, got into instant coffee, or you’re simply unsure how significant the exposure might be, contact your veterinarian, an emergency veterinary clinic or an animal poison service promptly.

Don’t deliberately make your dog vomit unless a veterinary professional specifically instructs you to do so.

And don’t wait for symptoms to become severe before seeking advice.

With possible poisoning, knowing what the dog consumed and getting professional guidance early is much more useful than guessing.

Signs of Caffeine Poisoning in Dogs

Signs can vary depending on the amount consumed and the individual dog.

Possible symptoms of caffeine toxicity can include:

restlessness or unusual agitation
hyperactivity
panting
vomiting
increased heart rate
abnormal heart rhythms
elevated blood pressure
tremors
seizures

Severe caffeine poisoning can be life-threatening.

If a dog that may have consumed caffeine is showing concerning symptoms, seek veterinary care immediately.

Can Dogs Have a Puppuccino?

Now we’re entering much safer coffee-shop territory.

Despite the name, a typical “puppuccino” doesn’t contain coffee at all.

It’s usually a small serving of whipped cream offered to dogs.

For many healthy dogs, a little plain whipped cream as an occasional treat isn’t likely to be a problem.

But it’s still worth checking what’s actually in it.

Recipes vary between coffee shops, and dogs with dietary restrictions, sensitive stomachs or problems tolerating dairy may be better off skipping it.

The serving doesn’t need to be enormous either.

Your dog will almost certainly be just as impressed by a small amount.

Dogs are wonderfully easy audiences.

Dogs Don’t Need Coffee to Enjoy the Coffee Shop

And perhaps this is the more interesting part.

Your dog doesn’t need your latte.

He doesn’t need espresso.

He certainly doesn’t need a double-shot caramel macchiato with six modifications.

What he likes may be everything surrounding it.

The walk there.

The familiar route.

The door he recognizes.

The barista who knows his name.

The favourite table.

The patio.

The people walking past.

The possibility that somebody somewhere may possess a treat.

And you sitting there with him for a while.

Because coffee shops can become part of a dog’s routine without coffee ever entering his bowl.

In fact, that’s probably the best arrangement for everyone.

You drink the coffee.

He gets the morning.

Keep Exploring

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