My Dog Drank Beer What Should I Do?
My Dog Drank Beer What Should I Do?
You may like to kick back and enjoy a beer every so often, but what about your dog? Is it OK for him to also enjoy a bit of beer? Many pet parents share beer with the fur babies every so often, and the dogs appear to be OK. And some dogs really love beer! But is it save for them?
Alcohol can be toxic for dogs, even in smaller amounts. It’s possible for a dog to develop alcohol poisoning and have some of the same symptoms that we humans have after drinking one too many beers.
Not only can alcohol be toxic to canines, but the hops used to make beer can also be dangerous for dogs. Hops can cause a symptom called malignant hyperthermia, which is a persistent body temperature above 105F.
As a result, it’s never a good idea to share beer or any other alcohol with your fur baby. However, it is possible for a dog to gain access to a glass of beer that’s left unattended, or to lap up some beer that’s spilled on the floor. And if you see your canine companion happily lapping up some beer, it’s best to call the vet as soon as possible.
Signs and Symptoms Your Dog Had Too Much Beer
If your fur baby lapped up some beer that accidentally spilled, more than likely he’ll be OK. However, you’ll need to carefully watch him for any signs or symptoms that he’s had too much. These symptoms can include:
- Shaking
- Panting
- Weakness
- Drooling
- Lack of focus
- Freezing
- Blinking
- Breathing difficulties
- Increased urination
- Incontinence
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Seizures
- Drop in blood pressure and/or body temperature
That’s a lot of symptoms to watch for, but it’s important to observe your fur baby after he’s had had beer. If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, then call the vet immediately.
Treatment of Too Much Beer in Dogs
The vet will perform a physical exam and will ask about how much beer your dog drank. Depending on your canine companion’s symptoms, he may need to be treated with IV rehydration and may need to be hospitalized. He may also be treated with medications. Your dog will need to be monitored to see if he develops any other symptoms. If he does, he’ll need prompt treatment for alcohol poisoning.
Alcohol poisoning is a very serious condition in dogs—they can die from this. So, if your fur baby has had beer or another type of alcohol, be sure to get him to the vet as soon as possible. You may save his life with fast treatment.
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Interesting! I am so guilty of sharing beer with my dog and because I don’t notice any discomfort, I feel it’s totally safe for them. I never knew I was getting them into a bit of a problem. Thanks for letting us know about the bad side of beer in dogs.
Alcohol no doubt can be toxic for dogs no matter how little. They can develop alcohol poisoning and some of the same symptoms we humans experience. Since you have been giving your dog beer, I’ll strongly recommend that you take him to the veterinary clinic immediately so they can be sure the alcohol is not building up to form something out of place.
My next-door neighbor just noticed that her dog drank some of her leftover beer and spilled the rest. But he’s still calm and not showing any of these symptoms yet. Do we wait for him to show symptoms or we just go straight to the vet?
Alcohol poisoning? There is alcohol poisoning in dogs? I’m just hearing about that. I’m just realizing that it is a very serious condition that can even cause them to die from it. We need more sensitization as a lot of dog parents really do not know this.