Can Dogs Drink Alcohol? 4 Hazards of Alcohol for Dogs

No dog breeds can safely consume alcohol. Dogs cannot metabolize alcohol, so beverages, foods, or household products containing different forms of alcohol are unhealthy and can be toxic. Alcohol can cause lethargy, respiratory depression, and dangerously low body temperature in dogs.

Keep your dog away from alcoholic beverages like beer, wine, hard liquor, and food items like raw bread dough. Safely store household products such as hand sanitizers, disinfectant sprays, detergents, soaps, and shampoos containing alcohol. In addition to alcohol content, some products have toxic chemicals. Rubbing alcohol has isopropanol, a highly toxic chemical compound, and some drink mixers contain xylitol, a poisonous sweetener to dogs. Also, avoid overusing topical alcohol-based flea sprays on your dog.

Small amounts of alcohol can be hazardous to your dog’s health. Adverse effects of mild and severe cases may include:

1. 1. Central nervous system impairment: Alcohol can affect dogs like humans, slowing down and impairing the central nervous system and causing poor coordination and lethargy. These effects will be much more severe for dogs, even after a small amount of alcohol.
2. 2. Metabolic acidosis: Alcohol can induce a life-threatening condition known as metabolic acidosis in dogs. This rapid rise in acidity levels has several adverse effects, including respiratory depression, hypothermia, dangerously low heart rate and blood pressure, and heart attacks.
3. 3. Hypoglycemia: Alcohol consumption can result in excessively low blood sugar. Hypoglycemia can manifest as lethargy, weakness, and seizures.
4. 4. Gastrointestinal distress: Alcohol can quickly irritate the lining of your dog’s gastrointestinal tract, resulting in excess drooling and stomach upset, including vomiting and diarrhea.
   

Any amount of alcohol ingestion can pose severe risks to your pooch. If you know your dog had a sip or a few licks of your mixed drink or glass of wine, ensure they do not consume more. Contact your veterinarian, animal hospital, or pet poison helpline—expert care is the best way to treat alcohol poisoning.

If you don’t know if your dog has had any alcohol but they are exhibiting symptoms of alcohol toxicity, such as poor coordination or vomiting, contact an emergency vet. A professional can determine if you should bring in your dog for observation or treatment.

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