Can dogs drink coffee?

What to do if your dog ate coffee

Call your vet or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 (or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435) right away, without waiting for signs. Have her weight, what she ate, how much, and when ready. Don't try to make her vomit or give her anything by mouth unless a vet tells you to.

Raw, cooked and other forms of coffee

• Skip itA lick or two of brewed coffee, tea or soda Unlikely to poison most dogs, but there's no reason to share.
• ToxicA full cup of coffee Call your vet with the amount and type, especially for a small dog.
• ToxicCoffee grounds (fresh or used) and whole beans Much more concentrated than brewed coffee. Used grounds still contain caffeine.
• ToxicChocolate-covered espresso beans A double threat: caffeine plus theobromine from the chocolate.
• ToxicTea bags, coffee and tea pods Concentrated caffeine. Pet Poison Helpline says an entire green tea pod can cause severe signs.
• ToxicEnergy drinks and soda Energy drinks often contain a lot of caffeine.
• ToxicCaffeine pills, diet pills, pre-workout One or two caffeine pills can be fatal for a small dog.
• Skip itDecaf coffee Not fully caffeine-free and still contains trace amounts.

Why coffee is toxic to dogs

Caffeine, a methylxanthine like the theobromine in chocolate. It overstimulates the nervous system and heart, and dogs are more sensitive to it than people. Pet Poison Helpline puts the level where poisoning can start at about 9 mg per lb of body weight.

Signs to watch for after she eats coffee

Restlessness, hyperactivity, pacing or vocalizing, panting, vomiting, diarrhea, extra thirst and urination, a racing or irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, overheating, tremors, seizures and collapse. Signs can start within 30 minutes but usually show in 1 to 2 hours, and can last several days.