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Many pet parents enjoy a drink of liquor every so often. It can be taken with food or snacks and be part of a special meal with friends and family! But what happens if a dog drinks liquor? Can the liquor make a dog sick?
Has your dog drunk liquor? Are you worried the liquor 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 some information about liquor and whether it can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!
What is Liquor?
Liquor is made with alcohol and is sometimes referred to by other names, including spirit, hard liquor, or distilled alcohol. Liquor is an alcoholic drink made by distilling grains, fruits, and vegetables that have been fermented for this purpose.
Liquors come in a wide range of products, including brandy, vodka, gin, rum, tequila, and whisky. Each type of liquor has a different percentage of alcohol; however, they usually contain more alcohol than beer and wine.
The alcohol in these drinks has psychoactive effects, leading to alcohol intoxication (being drunk) or alcohol poisoning. The drinks, if imbibed too often, can also cause some significant health problems in humans. But what about dogs? Can alcohol make a dog sick?
Alcohol & Dogs
Unfortunately, alcohol can make dogs very sick. Dogs are not able to metabolize alcohol in the same way we do. The dog’s body absorbs alcohol quickly in the digestive tract. The effects may show up within 30 to 60 minutes after the dog drinks the liquor.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Alcohol Toxicity in Dogs
You may notice these symptoms if your dog drinks liquor:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Disorientation
- Loss of bodily control
- Excessive drooling
- Excitement, which changes to depression
- Loss of consciousness
- Difficulty breathing
- Dehydration
- Slow heart rate
- Seizures
- Heart rhythm problems
If your dog shows any of these symptoms, then call the vet immediately. This is an emergency.
Be sure to let the vet know what type of liquor the dog has drunk. And tell the vet about what time this occurred. This information can help the vet determine how to help your dog.
Remember, a dog can die from untreated alcohol poisoning. So, do not wait to see if your dog’s symptoms worsen or improve over time. He needs to be treated right now. Dogs who receive prompt treatment for alcohol poisoning have the best chance of making a full recovery.
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Kyoko
Kyoko is from a family of 3 and moved to New York with her parents and siblings when she was 13. Kyoko is fond of spending a great amount of time with pets, specifically her beagle Luna and cat Missy. Her boyfriend often complains that she spends too much time giving attention to their animals. Kyoko has written dozens of articles concerning pets and is aiming at owning a pet shop one day!
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