Do Dogs Get Drunk
Feb 05,2025 | puaintapets
As responsible pet owners, we are always on the lookout for ways to keep our furry friends safe and healthy. One question that may cross your mind is whether dogs can get drunk. While it may seem like a silly thought, alcohol can be extremely harmful to dogs, even in small amounts.
In this article, we will explore whether dogs can get drunk, the risks associated with alcohol consumption, symptoms of alcohol poisoning in dogs, and what you should do if your dog ingests alcohol.
Can Dogs Get Drunk?
Yes, dogs can get drunk if they consume alcohol. Alcohol has the same intoxicating effects on dogs as it does on humans. However, dogs are much more sensitive to alcohol than humans, and even small amounts can lead to serious health issues.
Alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream and affects the central nervous system, which controls a dog’s motor functions, behavior, and vital organs. Because dogs have a smaller body size and faster metabolism than humans, alcohol can have a much more pronounced and dangerous effect on them.
How Alcohol Affects Dogs
When a dog consumes alcohol, it affects their system in several ways:
1. Central Nervous System
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Mild effects
After ingesting a small amount of alcohol, dogs may show signs of excitement, abnormal behavior, blurred consciousness, and staggering, which may be manifested as hyperactivity, abnormal reaction to the surrounding environment, and unsteady walking.
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Heavy effects
When ingesting larger amounts of alcohol, the dog may fall into a coma, have difficulty breathing, become incontinent, or even die. Alcohol depresses the dog's central nervous system and affects physiological functions such as breathing and heartbeat.
2. Digestive system
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Vomiting and Nausea
Alcohol can irritate your dog's gastrointestinal tract, leading to vomiting, nausea, loss of appetite and other symptoms.
Dogs' liver has a limited ability to metabolize alcohol. Long-term or heavy drinking may lead to liver damage and affect the normal function of the liver.
3. Other effects
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Dehydration and electrolyte disorders
Alcohol can lead to increased urination in dogs, which can cause dehydration and electrolyte disorders.
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Immune system suppression
Chronic alcohol consumption may suppress a dog's immune system, making it more susceptible to disease.
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Increased Risk of Chronic Disease
Alcohol may increase your dog's risk of developing chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
Also Read: Enalapril Maleate for Dogs: An Effective Treatment for Canine Heart Conditions
Therefore, for the sake of your dog's health, you should avoid exposing your dog to alcohol. If your dog accidentally ingests alcohol, you should contact your veterinarian immediately for treatment.
Symptoms of Alcohol Poisoning in Dogs
If your dog accidentally consumes alcohol, it’s crucial to recognize the symptoms of alcohol poisoning as quickly as possible. The signs can vary depending on the amount of alcohol ingested and your dog’s size, but typical symptoms include:
- Drunken behavior: This includes staggering, lack of coordination, and difficulty walking.
- Drooling: Excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth.
- Vomiting: Dogs may vomit after consuming alcohol.
- Lethargy or weakness: A dog that’s drunk may seem unusually tired or unresponsive.
- Seizures: In severe cases, alcohol poisoning can cause seizures or tremors.
- Hypothermia: Cold, clammy skin or shivering due to a drop in body temperature.
- Breathing difficulties: Slow or labored breathing, and in extreme cases, respiratory failure.
- Coma or unresponsiveness: In extreme cases, alcohol poisoning can cause a dog to fall into a coma or become unresponsive.
How to Safely Sober Up After Drinking in Dogs?
Dogs can safely sober up after drinking alcohol by using the following methods.
1. General treatment
- Keep lying on the side
When your dog is drunk, try to let it choose the side lying position to prevent the vomit from blocking the airway leading to suffocation.
- Keep warm
After drinking, the dog's blood circulation speeds up, and it will feel cold after losing heat, so pay attention to keep warm to prevent catching a cold.
2. Methods of relieving alcohol
- Induce vomiting
If you find that your dog has been drinking for a short time, you can try to hold your dog's mouth with a basin or a towel and gently press the stomach to stimulate your dog to spit out the alcohol in the stomach, but if more time has passed, it is not suitable to induce vomiting.
- Drinking water
Provide your dog with plenty of clean drinking water to help dilute the concentration of alcohol in the body and accelerate the discharge of alcohol, but do not force your dog to drink water as this may cause a burden on the body.
- Dietary regulation
You can feed your dog some high-fiber foods, such as fruits and vegetables, to help accelerate the metabolism of alcohol; you can also feed your dog some foods that contain enough vitamin B, such as beef, poultry, fish, etc. You can also buy yeast or lactobacillus supplements suitable for dogs at pet stores to help detoxify the alcohol.
- Herbal Aids
Some household herbs such as thyme and rosemary help to inhibit the metabolism of alcohol. Small amounts can be made into a strong tea for your dog to drink to reduce the amount of time the alcohol stays in the body.
3. Medical treatment
If your dog is drunk and appears to be severely intoxicated, such as vomiting, unconsciousness, incontinence, etc., or if you can't tell how drunk your dog is, it's best to take your dog to the nearest veterinary hospital immediately, and the doctor will give appropriate treatment, such as infusion of metabolism, according to your dog's specific condition.
How to Prevent Alcohol Poisoning in Dogs?
1. Alcohol Storage
- Keep it in a safe place
Store alcoholic beverages in places that are out of reach of dogs, such as high cabinets or special wine coolers, to ensure that dogs cannot access them by jumping or climbing, etc.
- Avoid residue
After using the alcohol, clean up any possible residue in and around the container in time to prevent your dog from licking it.
2. Dietary Attention
- Check food ingredients
When feeding human food to your dog, carefully check the food label and ingredient list to make sure it does not contain alcohol ingredients, such as cooking wine and beer.
- Avoid Foods Containing Alcohol
Don't feed your dog foods containing alcohol, such as alcoholic chocolates and desserts containing alcohol.
3. Environmental Management
- Party Supervision
In occasions such as parties or banquets, always keep supervising your dog to avoid it accidentally consuming alcoholic beverages left by people.
- Prevent licking
Promptly clean up alcohol spilled on floors, tables and other surfaces to prevent dogs from licking it.
4. Education and publicity
- Inform family and friends
Ensure that family members, friends, neighbors and others are aware of the dangers of giving alcohol to dogs and remind them not to drink or leave alcoholic beverages lying around in front of dogs.
- Pet Knowledge Popularization
Learn about the dietary taboos and safety knowledge of dogs through various channels to raise your own awareness of prevention.
5. Seek medical attention in time
- Observe the symptoms
If you find that your dog has symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy and abnormal behavior, it may be a sign of alcohol poisoning and you should take your dog to the pet hospital immediately.
- Inform the doctor
When seeking medical attention, explain to the doctor in detail the dog's symptoms and possible exposure to alcohol so that the doctor can make an accurate diagnosis and treatment.
FAQs
How much alcohol can make a dog drunk?
Even a small amount of alcohol relative to a dog's body size can cause intoxication. In general, the lethal dose of alcohol for dogs is about 5.6 milliliters per kilogram of body weight. For example, a 5-kilogram dog that ingests 28 milliliters of alcohol may have a life-threatening condition.
Dogs' livers are unable to metabolize alcohol efficiently, and even a small amount of alcohol may have a serious impact on their health. Therefore, owners should avoid exposing their dogs to any alcoholic beverages or food. If a dog accidentally ingests alcohol, they should seek immediate medical attention.
Are there any dog breeds more sensitive to alcohol?
There is no evidence to suggest that certain dog breeds are more sensitive to alcohol than others. However, smaller dogs are generally more at risk due to their smaller body size and lower tolerance.
What if my dog accidentally licks a spilled alcoholic drink?
If the dog's symptoms are more serious, such as unconsciousness, difficulty breathing, and convulsions, it should be taken to a veterinary hospital immediately for treatment. The veterinarian may take measures such as gastric lavage and fluids to help the dog expel the alcohol and restore the electrolyte balance in the body.
On the way to the hospital, try to keep your dog's body as stable as possible and avoid shaking and bumps, which may aggravate your dog's discomfort.
Conclusion
Dogs can indeed get drunk if they consume alcohol, and the effects of alcohol on their bodies can be serious, even life-threatening. Alcohol poisoning can cause symptoms ranging from disorientation and vomiting to seizures and organ failure. It's important to always keep alcohol away from pets and to be vigilant about what they have access to.
If you suspect that your dog has ingested alcohol, contact your veterinarian immediately and monitor your dog’s symptoms. With prompt treatment, most dogs can recover from alcohol poisoning, but it’s crucial to act fast to ensure their safety.
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