Most of us can’t start the day without our first cup of Jo in the morning! What’s better than fresh coffee after waking up?
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Rather than dealing with brewed coffee in the morning, many people simply turn to instant coffee. Instant coffee offers an easier, faster way to enjoy some caffeine at the start of the day!
But what happens if you leave your coffee cup unattended, even for a short time? Has your dog ever tried to get a drink from the cup? If so, that’s a common occurrence! But can coffee make a dog sick?
Has your dog drunk some instant coffee? Are you worried that instant coffee will make your dog sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your dog drinks something like this.
In this article, we’ve put together information about instant coffee and whether it can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!
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What is Instant Coffee?
Instant coffee is usually in crystal or powder form and is made from coffee beans. Because the coffee is instant, all you have to do is add hot water to the crystals or powder, then stir, and you can enjoy a fresh cup of coffee!
Instant coffee is made by freeze-drying or spray drying coffee beans, though it can also be made from dried, concentrated liquid. Many people prefer instant coffee as it dissolves quickly, making it fast to make. It’s also easier to control the coffee’s strength. If you’d like weaker coffee, then use a smaller amount of instant coffee. Or increase the amount for a stronger jolt of caffeine!
Another reason people prefer instant coffee is that the powder or crystals also take up less space in the cupboard and last much longer than real coffee beans or ground coffee.
Coffee is safe for most pet parents; however, what happens if a dog drinks instant coffee?
Instant Coffee & Dogs
Just like regular coffee, instant coffee contains a high amount of caffeine. Caffeine is highly toxic to dogs, which means instant coffee (or other forms of coffee) can be harmful to dogs.
When it comes to the amount of caffeine needed to make a dog sick, the numbers vary. The degree of the poisoning depends on how much caffeine is ingested. A lethal dose of caffeine is about 150 milligrams per kilo (2.2 lbs). There is about 100 mg of caffeine in a typical 8oz cup of coffee. So, if your dog has a sip or two, he will probably be OK. However, if your dog eats instant coffee crystals or powder, he could become very sick.
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Ask a Vet Live NowCaffeine Toxicity in Dogs
You may notice these symptoms if your dog has drunk some instant coffee:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Elevated heart rate
- Tremors
- Restlessness
- Hyperactive/jittery
- Pacing
- Vocalizations
- Increased blood pressure
- Heart arrhythmias
If you notice these symptoms in your dog, call the vet immediately. This is an emergency.
As noted earlier, one or two sips of instant coffee won’t hurt most dogs. However, it’s best to keep instant coffee away from your dog. Never leave your coffee where your dog can get it. And be sure to immediately clean up any instant coffee that spills on the floor!
Kim
Kim is a talented author, who loves animals especially dogs. She engaged in writing books and articles relating to animals a decade ago. Kim resides in Chicago with her husband and son. The family is the proud owner of a dog and a parrot (Jack and Lily). Kim wanted more than these two pets, but her husband put his foot down... She often visits elementary schools to talk to the kids about what she learned about pets and how they could learn from them.
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