Beer is one of the most widely consumed drinks in the world. Many of us enjoy snoozing with a cold beer especially during summertime. Since your dog is your best buddy you may have also wanted to share a pint of beer with your dog. But Can Dogs drink beer?
Well, we are sorry to tell you, but dogs CANNOT drink beer. While you might find it entertaining to watch your canine companion fall over and stumble away, in reality, beer is highly dangerous for your dog’s health. If dogs have even a little bit of beer or any other alcoholic drink, then they can get too drunk to walk or worse – DIE.
Here’s Why Dogs Cannot Drink Beer
- Firstly, hops, the main ingredient used to brew beers, is highly dangerous to your dog’s health. It may lead to malignant hyperthermia- a condition that causes a persistent rise in body temperature, and a rapid increase in heart rate.
- Secondly, beer and all other alcoholic drinks contain a chemical named ethanol. Ethanol is a psychoactive drug that is responsible for changes in mood, cognition, and behavior and is associated with drunkenness. A dog’s kidney is not equipped to handle the toxicity of ethanol. In fact, as little as two drops of beer can be lethal to a small breed dog like a Chihuahua because they have such low body fat and their systems are not equipped to metabolize alcohol.
Alcohol Poisoning In Dogs
The most common reason for alcohol poisoning in dogs is simple human error. An owner might get too excited and get his/her dog drunk just for the fun of it, without knowing how harmful it can be to their beloved pet. Other times, it is the dog’s fault. They can get nosy and do the exact things that they are not supposed to do. You might have left a beer out and your dog will run towards it in no time.
Just rolling around and walking in alcoholic drinks can also be a risk as dogs can absorb liquid through their skin.
Apart from beverages, dogs can get alcohol poisoning accidentally through various foods and products that have alcohol content.
Some common household products that may contain alcohol are:
- mouthwash
- cough and cold medications
- baby wipes
- hand sanitizer
- flea, tick, and bug sprays
- perfumes, cologne, and body washes
- skin cream and hand lotion
- soy sauce
- vinegar
Most dogs are fond of sweet taste. Your dog might be attracted to the sweet and syrupy taste of antifreeze and steal a lick and that results in ethylene glycol poisoning.
Dogs may also ingest alcohol present in over-ripen and fermented fruits.
Research conducted at the University of Kaiserslautern and published in the Journal of Analytical Toxicology estimates that some foods and drinks that are labeled non-alcoholic do, in fact, contain some amount of alcohol. You can find the study that contains a full list of food and drinks that can contain alcohol here.
Likewise, around holidays, cakes and muffins are normally baked with alcohol in them. Be careful to keep your whiskey/brandy flavored holiday dessert out of your canine’s reach.
Can Dogs Get Drunk?
An animal’s tolerance to alcohol is different from a human. For example, research has shown that a cat can become intoxicated after 1-2 cans of beer, while an adult bear can consume up to 25 gallons before recording any signs of drunkenness.
That’s enough about other animals. Let’s move on to dogs. Can they get drunk if they ingest some alcohol?
Yes! Dogs can, in fact, get drunk. Dogs are relatively small in size so their body is highly sensitive to alcohol. Even a small amount can get them drunk very fast.
Dogs are curious beings by nature and will put anything they find into their mouth. A sip of your drink here and a lick off of a table there, you won’t even notice when your pooch gets tipsy.
What Happens When You Give Beer to Dogs?
While the most that can happen to you when you drink beer, or any alcoholic drink, is a terrible hangover, it is an entirely different case for dogs. The initial signs are the same- they will have problems walking and standing up. They will become drowsy and unresponsive and can experience vomiting and excessive urination. After that, their condition goes from bad to worse in a blink of an eye.
The dog’s blood sugar level drops seriously low, so does their temperature. Their heartbeat races up. Without immediate attention in this stage, the drunk dog can fall unconscious, collapse, and even DIE FROM RESPIRATORY ARREST.
“I Think My Dog Is Drunk. What Should I Do?”
If you find your dog drinking beer, do not wait to check the symptoms. Run to your veterinarian right away.
You can also call Animal Poison Control Centre (ASPCA) immediately at (888) 426-4435 if you’re in the United States. The center is open 24 hours all year round.
How Can You Prevent Your Dog from Getting Alcohol Poisoning?
In the case of alcohol poisoning in dogs, it’s better not to risk your dog’s life at all than to have any regrets afterward. Here are a few things that you should keep in mind:
- Always keep alcohol bottles out of your dog’s reach. Shut them tightly.
- Dispose of the drinks carefully and make sure you don’t spill a single drop.
- Separate the products that contain alcohol from regular products and keep them away from your dog.
- Watch your dog especially during gatherings and festivals. Make sure they don’t steal a lick or a bite of foods containing alcohol.
Even the most random products can have alcohol content in an unexpected way. Make sure to read the labels carefully.
Can Dogs Drink Non-alcoholic Beer and Root Beer?
You will be surprised to know that even a non-alcoholic beer/alcohol-free beer has a little ethanol in it. It can range up to 0.05% ABV (Alcohol by Volume). This amount is considered negligible and thus, is labeled alcohol-free in most countries. Such non-alcoholic beer may not have any effect on the human body, but, it is still dangerous to a dog’s health.
On the other hand, root beer contains Aspartame, an artificial sweetener that is about 200 times sweeter than sugar.
So, to answer your question- No. Dogs cannot drink non-alcoholic beer or root beer.
Explore more here: Can Dogs Drink Non-Alcoholic Beer? Can Dogs Drink Root Beer?
What Beverages Can Dogs Drink?
Thankfully, a whole range of dog beer is available in the market.
Of course, dog beer is not a beer in the real sense, it is a pretend beer. For those of us who want to enjoy the feeling of sharing a chilled beer with our furry best friend, dog beer is the best choice.
Maybe we could all choose to stay sober and stick to water, but that’s entirely another argument!!
Conclusion
Can dogs drink beer? No. Beer and all other alcoholic beverages are harmful to your dog’s health. As a matter of fact, feeding your pet alcohol is considered animal abuse. If your pet dies of purposeful alcohol consumption, you can even face charges.
Now that you why you should never share a sip of beer with your dog, find out about other beer-related dog articles that you might be interested in.
Has your dog ever drunk beer? How did they react? Were they rushed to the vet right after? We would love to hear from you. Please share with our community by leaving a comment below!