Why is coffee bad for dogs?

The curious nature of dogs makes these animals want to put most things within their reach into their mouths. It is his way of discovering new flavors and the world in general. However, we know that this is not very healthy, especially with certain foods. For example. Do you want to know why coffee is bad for dogs? We tell you!

Toxic foods for dogs

It is common for certain pet guardians to want to share their food with them. That's not a good idea.

If you have a pet at home, you should know that you cannot give it everything that is on your table or your plate. There are toxic foods for dogs that can do a lot of harm if they eat them.

Some, even if eaten in large quantities, could cause death.

For that reason, you have to know that one of those foods is coffee. Coffee in dogs is a truly poisonous food and we want you to know why.

Coffee in dogs: why is it so bad?

The smell of coffee can attract a lot of attention from your pet due to its intensity. So much so that if there are traces of it in the trash or you leave a cup on the table, they can taste it and lead to poisoning.

Admittedly, a few licks shouldn't hurt too much. However, if he swallows coffee grounds or a capsule whole, it's best to take him to the vet for a check-up.

You should know that the dog's body is not the same as that of humans. Therefore, they cannot absorb caffeine and this is very harmful to them.

In addition, coffee also contains substances such as theophylline and theobromine, very dangerous for furry ones.

Effects of coffee on dogs

The symptoms that indicate that dogs have drunk coffee usually begin within half an hour or an hour of having ingested it and can last for several days.

These symptoms do not manifest themselves in the same way in all. It will depend on the amount taken, the weight of the dog, and whether it has any pathology or not.

Even so, it is said that as a general rule, the dose of caffeine that causes symptoms of intoxication in dogs is 20 mg per kilogram of the dog's weight.

In addition, experts comment that the lethal dose of coffee in dogs would correspond to 140 mg/kg of the animal. This would be, more or less, a cup and a half of coffee.

Among the most common signs are:

• Agitation.

• Diarrhea.

• vomiting.

• Gasps.

• Restlessness.

• Elevated heart rate.

• High blood pressure.

• hyperthermia _

• Abnormal heart rhythms.

• Tremors.

• In cases of severe poisoning, the dog can go into a coma and die.

What do I do if my dog has had coffee?

The severity of the intoxication will depend on the amount that the dog has ingested, as explained.

If the amount is not significant and the dog shows no signs, just watch him for anything unusual. If so, go to the vet.

When the amount ingested is high, then you will have to call or go to a professional consultation. Sometimes the vet will give you some emergency guidelines to help your dog.

One of those guidelines may be making your dog vomit with the use of activated carbon. Of course, remember that this should only be done by veterinary recommendation.

In addition to what has been said, the best thing is prevention.

Do not leave coffee within reach of your dog, neither made in the cup nor in grains or ground, nor the remains.

The dog mustn't rummage through the garbage. For this reason, and knowing how dangerous coffee can be for dogs, remember to close your bag or garbage can well if it is within your pet's reach.