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It’s a common sight in many older movies, like the 1923 film Asleep at the Switch or 2023’s Strays, and you might’ve seen someone do it from time to time, but the truth is that while it can be tempting to share a beer with your dog, it’s a very dangerous thing to do. Never let your dog drink even a little beer, as the alcohol content can quickly lead to alcohol poisoning, even if you’re only giving them a little bit. Let’s discuss the dangers of offering dogs alcohol in more detail below.
Why Can’t Dogs Drink Beer?
While there are several reasons why giving your pup beer is a bad idea, the most notable and significant reason is that alcohol is toxic to dogs. Just like too much alcohol can make you sick, the same is true for your pup. However, it’s very easy for even a few laps of liquor to be toxic for your pup.
Beer contains ethanol and the amount needed to cause intoxication depends on its concentration, typically beer is 4-6 % ethanol by volume. The published lethal dose to dogs is 5.5 to 7.9 g/kg of 100% ethanol, and 1 milliliter of ethanol is equal to 0.789 g.
Compounding the issue is your dog’s smaller size, meaning much smaller amounts of alcohol can make them sick. Even a little bit can lead to severe health complications for your dog, so play it safe and keep beer and other kinds of alcohol far away from them.
Another potential concern with many malt beverages and even some beers is additional flavorings, such as chocolate, certain spices, coffee, and even xylitol, all of which are toxic to dogs.
Dangers of Feeding Beer to Dogs
If your pup happens to get into some beer, the most concerning potential side effect is alcohol poisoning. It doesn’t take much alcohol to poison your dog, so play it safe and keep it far away and stored in a place that is inaccessible to them.
The signs of alcohol poisoning can start to occur quickly after ingestion and will vary in severity depending on the amount ingested compared to your dog’s size.
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lack of coordination
- Weakness
- Drooling
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Breathing difficulties
- Collapse
- Loss of consciousness
If your dog drank beer and is showing any signs then you should contact your emergency veterinarian straight away. You can also call the Animal Poison Control at 888-426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661 for help. Alcohol works on the body quickly and needs to be treated as soon as possible. If you’re wondering if your dog has even a lick of alcohol, we recommend playing it safe and reaching out to the hotline or a vet immediately for advice.
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What About Dog Beer? What Is It?
Dog beer is not real beer, and if you find a craft brewery or another location offering dog beer, it’s usually safe as an occasional treat for your dog, but you should still double-check the ingredients, just to be safe. Dog beer doesn’t contain alcohol, and it’s often full of ingredients you would never find in human beer.
- Bone broth
- Beef, chicken, or pork
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Oats
- Malt barley
- Herbs
While it might not sound (or taste) appetizing to us, some dogs do enjoy drinking a dog beer as a rare treat. So, the next time you decide you want to share a brew with your pup, opt for a dog-safe dog beer instead of a traditional beer.
How to Prevent a Dog From Drinking Beer
While many dogs will steer clear of any alcohol, some will be drawn to the smell and taste of the beer, while others will take an interest simply because their human family members drink it. So how can you prevent them from drinking any?
- Keep all alcoholic beverages stored in a secure location they don’t have access to.
- Put your dog in their crate or another room until you’ve finished drinking.
- Keep a close eye on your dog when other people are over or you plan to drink for an extended amount of time.
- Do not leave alcoholic drinks unattended, as even stepping away for a few minutes could be enough time for them to steal a few sips.
- Put your beer in a cup with a secure lid.
Conclusion
While you can’t give your dog any of your beer, that doesn’t mean you can’t share the experience with them in other ways. Giving them a dog-safe beer is a great option, but of course, a regular treat and a little of your attention are more than enough to satisfy most pups!
Dogs rely on you to keep them safe, and giving them even a little beer can be fatal. Always play it safe and don’t give them any beer or alcoholic beverages, and always keep them stored in a place they don’t have access to.
Featured Image Credit: Caravel-Productions, Pixabay
