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Do you look forward to a cup of iced coffee on warm days? Nothing is more refreshing than iced coffee! What is more relaxing? When you’re drinking a cup of iced coffee, does your dog beg for some? What would happen if a dog drank ice coffee? We’ll answer that question in this article!
Has your dog drunk some iced coffee? Are you worried the iced 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 some information about iced coffee and whether it can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!
What is Iced Coffee?
Iced coffee is nothing more than a cold version of the regular coffee you already love! Iced coffee is usually made with espresso and milk, along with some ice. This type of coffee will not become frothy or steamy. This excellent drink may also contain certain flavorings, sweeteners, and more.
We looked at the history of iced coffee just out of curiosity. It seems this cool, refreshing beverage first originated in Algeria, back in about 1840. This version of iced coffee was made with coffee syrup and cold water. Other frozen coffee drinks were also popular back in the 19th century. Iced coffee first became popular in the US back in 1920. And from there, it’s become one of the most popular versions of coffee in the world.
It also seems that ice coffee may vary around the world. In Australia, for instance, iced coffee contains plenty of coffee, flavored milk, and quite a bit of sugar. Italians enjoy something called caffe freddo, which is espresso that’s served directly from the freezer. This drink is more like an ice slush!
So, there are many types of iced coffee to drink. However, what happens if a dog drinks iced coffee?
Iced Coffee & Dogs
Coffee is never a good thing for dogs because it contains caffeine. Caffeine is toxic to dogs. If your dog has one small lick of iced coffee, chances are he will be just fine.
However, if a dog has a larger amount of iced coffee, the caffeine could poison the dog. This is because dogs are not able to metabolize caffeine the way we do.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Caffeine Toxicity in Dogs
You may notice these symptoms if your dog drinks iced coffee:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Hyperactivity
- Jitteriness
- Restlessness
- Increased heart rate
- Increased blood pressure
- Cardiac arrhythmias
- Tremors/seizures
If you notice these symptoms in your dog, call the vet immediately. This is an emergency. Your dog needs medical care ASAP. Caffeine ingestion can lead to death if left untreated.
Be sure to call the vet right away rather than waiting to see if symptoms will improve. Your dog’s life depends on it!
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Tom
Tom has always loved to write since he was little - he wanted to be either a writer or a veterinary doctor, but he ended up being a professional writer while most of his works are based on animals. He was born in San Francisco but later moved to Texas to continue his job as a writer. He graduated from the University of San Francisco where he studied biotechnology. He is happily married and a soon to be father!
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