Many people take satisfaction in treating their dogs to ‘human food’ from time to time, but can dogs drink Coffee as well? Whether it’s tidbits under the table or leftovers after dinner, man’s ever opportunistic best friend has come to love the likes of unwanted bacon fat and discarded bread crusts.

Yet, that doesn’t always make it a good idea in the long term. So, how does your beloved brew fare with canines?

This is what we’ll be discussing in the following article, determining first the pros and cons of dogs drinking Coffee before answering your frequently asked questions (FAQ).

Regardless of the conclusion, you’ll probably want some beans for yourself. Enter The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company, where everything is packed fresh to order to ensure the finest quality and consistency.

Dogs Coffee

Can Dogs Drink Coffee?

The idea of a dog drinking Coffee sounds comical on the surface - perhaps even worthy of a viral YouTube reaction video. Nevertheless, those thinking, “Can dogs drink Coffee?”, should think again.

The simple answer is no; they cannot share your morning Cup of Joe. This is because there is Caffeine in Coffee, a stimulating chemical compound that provides an energy boost upon consumption.

In terms of humans ingesting caffeine, the compound works by blocking adenosine, a neurotransmitter that relaxes the brain while making you feel less tired.

The result is then the opposite: You feel more energised and less sleepy. Caffeine may also increase blood adrenaline levels and even heighten brain activity. But the question begs: What happens if a dog drinks Coffee? Is Coffee bad for dogs?

Is Coffee Bad for Dogs

Is Coffee Bad for Dogs? 

Pets that consume caffeine - either by owners purposefully giving it to them or accidentally - may experience an increased heart rate and become hyperactive.

This is not dramatically dissimilar to the Effects of Caffeine on humans, though it is far greater in animals. Dogs get restless and jittery and often do not want to lie still. They may also pace or vocalise incessantly.

Unfortunately, that’s not all. Caffeine tends to raise blood pressure and could even cause cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat), which has the potential to be extremely dangerous.

Other side effects associated with dogs drinking Coffee include lack of muscle control, tremors, seizures, gastrointestinal tract issues such as vomiting and diarrhoea, and excessive urination.

Coffee Dogs FAQ's

About Dogs Drinking Coffee (FAQ)

We’ve hopefully established that, fundamentally, when it comes to “Can dogs have Coffee?”, your canine should avoid your cuppa at all costs.

Much of the same is true of the question, “Can dogs drink Tea?”, albeit with a few exceptions, but that’s another story - and another article! Right now, it is time to look into more of your queries concerning your household pets and morning Cuppa.

Is Coffee Poisonous to Dogs?

It would be fair to say that Coffee Beans is, indeed, poisonous to dogs. Another term you could use is hypersensitivity or, in some cases, an allergic reaction.

It can take up to two hours for the caffeine to cause side effects, the specifics of which we’ve spoken about in detail above. In many respects, though, it doesn’t matter what you call it - simply keep the stuff away from your animals.

My Dog Drank Some Coffee - What Should I Do? 

Of course, you can’t be monitoring your dogs 24/7, and accidents do happen every now and again. So, what should the procedure be if your dog drinks Coffee before you can intervene? You’ll want to get your pet to a veterinarian as soon as possible.

What will likely happen next is that the vet will attempt to induce vomiting, pooping and/or urination to flush your dog’s system of the toxin.

Can Decaf Coffee Harm a Dog?

Is Decaf Coffee bad for dogs in the same way that “regular” Coffee is? Probably not quite to the same extent, although it still isn’t recommended. A common misconception is that Decaffeinated Coffee is 100% void of the stimulant - it isn’t.

Trace amount remains following the decaffeination process. This means that Coffee, regardless of its caffeine content, should not go near your dog.

Summary to Can Dogs Drink Coffee

While people have been understandably curious about, “Can dogs drink Coffee?” in the past, we’re here to tell you that they can’t and they shouldn’t. The caffeine within the beans is the primary concern.

Despite helping humans get out of bed in the morning, it is poisonous to canines and, therefore, should be kept out of reach. You can nevertheless Buy Coffee for yourself - and yourself only - online or in-store. 

Author: Richard Smith

Partner at The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company

Richard Smith is a Tea expert, entrepreneur, and owner of The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company. Part of a family of renowned Tea planters dating back four generations, he was born in Calcutta (Kolkata), India, where he spent his childhood between Tea Estates in Assam and Darjeeling.

In the late 1970s, having accumulated years of knowledge in the industry, Mr Smith and his mother, Janet Smith, moved to Kent, South East England, to establish a Tea business in the village of Pluckley. Their early days of packing Tea Bags by hand from chests of 10,000 prompted the creation of the company’s flagship infusion known as Pluckley Tea. It remains our most popular product today.

Mr Smith, who studied economics at London Polytechnic, has since specialised in over 1,000 types of Loose Leaf Tea - in addition to around 70 varieties of Roast Coffee - from around the world. These are now available at The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company, where everything is still packed by hand and fresh to order, not only to honour tradition but to ensure the utmost quality and consistency.

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