Can Dogs Drink Beer?

Curious if you can share a pint with your pet? Find out if dogs can drink beer and what to do if your pooch had a sip of beer while you were looking away.

Beer – everyone’s favorite refreshment during the hot months of the year. If you are a passionate beer aficionado, and also a caring owner of a pet dog, you might be wondering – can your dog drink beer, and what would happen in such a scenario? Well, there is probably a small voice in the back of your head, saying that no, dogs are not meant to drink beer. You should listen to that voice because it is correct – alcohol of any kind is generally harmful to dogs and should not be consumed.

Beer might seem like the least harmful form of alcohol – and certainly, it is less dangerous than hard liquors such as whiskey and the like. But it is still alcohol. Even in small amounts, beer can be harmful to dogs. One of the reasons is simply due to size. During the fermentation process in the production of beer, grain alcohol – known as ethanol – is produced. It is the main culprit that makes you feel lightheaded, tipsy, and dizzy after you’ve “had a couple”. But you’re you – a big healthy adult human. Your doggo, no matter the breed, is much smaller in stature. This means that even small amounts of alcohol can have a profound effect on them.

These small amounts of alcohol can cause poisoning in dogs. It is toxic to them and can cause a whole string of issues. If your dog accidentally laps up spilled beer or tries some from a glass left out, it could warrant a visit to the vet. In this case, your dog might appear drunk – wobbly, confused, and lethargic. But these are sure signs of alcohol poisoning. Furthermore, this can cause low blood pressure, difficulties breathing, low temperature, and seizures.

If you notice these symptoms or spot that your dog was drinking beer, you should not take it lightly – head down to the vet and state the case. A vet will know exactly what needs to be done and will help hydrate the dog, raise the blood sugar levels and the temperature, and monitor their status. This period can be crucial, especially if a larger dose of beer was consumed.

All in all, it should be paramount to make sure that beer is never close at hand to your dog. See that filled glasses of beer are not left unattended outside – a dog is naturally curious and will not know what beer is. A few trial gulps can bring about a string of problems. The usual safety measures are simple: be aware of your dog’s presence, drink responsibly and from bottles and cans, keep your beer high up on the table and away from the edge, and mop up all spills quickly. The same goes for every other alcohol, which can be even more dangerous than beer.