Introduction
That is to say, have your coffee, but have your dog separately from your pot o' joe because coffee is dangerous and toxic for your doggo. The reason you love coffee is the reason that your dog can't have it - the caffeine. Dogs are dangerously susceptible to caffeine poisoning, in fact, it only takes about 150 mg per 2.2 pounds of body weight to kill your pup! That's not a ton of caffeine.
That being said, it's important that you never share your coffee with your dog. For more signs of caffeine poisoning, tips at keeping your pooch away from your coffee, and more info about why coffee is dangerous for your dog, read on!
Signs Your Dog Has Caffeine Poisoning
Even in the sfest of households, accidents do happen, so it's important that you have a strong understanding of what caffeine poisoning looks like for your pup. Check for signs immediately following your suspicions. Depending on the amount of coffee your dog got their paws on, they could experience things like vomiting, tremors, restlessness, rapid heart rates, seizures, and even a dangerous collapse.
Body Language
- Growling
- Weakness
- Twitching whiskers
- Drooling
- Back hair on edge
- Head bobbing
- Tail tucking
Other Signs
- Confusion and lack of coordination
- Tremors and shakes
- Elevated heart rate
- Seizures
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
Historic Causes of Caffeine Poisoning
Unfortunately, another reason dog's get sick from caffeine is because their owners ignorantly feed them parts of their coffee. Depending on the size of the dog, a few accidental laps of coffee probably won't make for a big deal, however, it's imperative you never share your coffee with your dog.
The Science of Coffee and Dogs
For starters, a diuretic will dehydrate your dog significantly and likely mess with his or her gastrointestinal functions. More than that, though, the artificial sweeteners in coffee creamers, like xylitol, can cause a vast overdose in the amount of insulin your dog's pancreas releases, causing dangerous sugar levels and a risk of hypoglycemia.
The most obvious issue here, though, is the caffeine. The issue here is with the theobromine in the caffeine, a chemical that your dog's body is not set up to digest properly.
Training Your Dog to Stay Away from Coffee
For example, don't leave a mug of coffee somewhere your dog can get it - that means counters, tables tops, bedside tables - anywhere your pooch is prone to look. If you want the freedom to leave your coffee wherever you'd like, make sure your dog is outside while you do this.
Additionally, it's imperative that you crate train your dog if you plan to have coffee in the house. This way, while you're gone and not keeping an eye on your pooch, your doggo can be safely locked away in his or her comfy, safe crate and won't be able to wander to get into your coffee pot or the bag of coffee beans you display on the counter.
It's also a good idea to train your pup to stay out of the kitchen, or wherever you keep your coffee stored. A firm understanding of verbal commands like "no" and "leave it" are important, too.
Safety Tips for Keeping Coffee Around Dogs:
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Never leave a mug or pot where your dog can get to it.
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Keep your coffee beans up high where your dog cannot sniff them out and get to them.
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Have a coffee plan in effect in case your dog does get his or her paws on your coffee.
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Talk about preventative measures with your vet.
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Crate train your dog for when you're not home.