We are addicted to coffee, and many of us cannot do without it. It makes us energetic, it keeps us awake and active, and it boosts our productivity. Did you know these effects are the same even in dogs? Imagine your dog with high energy levels and with a faster heartbeat.
These effects are not good for the dog. Whenever a dog consumes any caffeine product, they need instant medical attention to prevent death.
Read on to find out more about the effects on your dog consuming high levels of caffeine and how can you react immediately to save it.
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Are Coffee Grounds Bad For Dogs?
Coffee grounds and any other product with high levels of caffeine are not good for your dog.[Source]
Whether they eat snacks containing caffeine or drinks your coffee, they will experience the same side effects.
Caffeine is an element extracted from coffee and tea plants, meaning any of these products have the potential effect of harming your dog. The coffee we have at home is differentiated between coffee ground and coffee grind.
Supposed the dog ate coffee grounds or any other bi-products of coffee grounds, the effects will be imminent due to caffeine in the product.
Supposed it ate coffee grind, the effects are likely to be extensive and can contribute to death because caffeine levels in coffee grinds are higher than in the coffee ground.
The effects from the ground may be light and can be cured faster than the effects of the grind that can last for days and ultimately cause death.
Most of the time, we only focus on the effects of coffee grounds on the dogs, forgetting other caffeine products like foods, medications and drinks containing caffeine.
Any caffeine product may be suitable for the human body because it stimulates the central nervous system and the cardiovascular system; however, the effects are reversed in dogs and can lead to other unforeseen effects. So while at home, watch out to ensure your dog does not consume any of the listed products below:
- Soda
- Diet pills
- Energy drinks
- Protein bars
- Chocolate or ice cream
- Hot chocolates
- Used tea bags
These are just a few products to help keep your dog safe, the brainstorm of others and add to the list for the sake of your dog.
Chocolates and ice cream contain theobromine which has similar effects as caffeine on dogs. However, the effects of theobromine are more dangerous than caffeine; hence you need to keep the dog safe from any chocolate, whether hot or cold or a bi-product of chocolate.
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How Much Coffee Grounds Is Toxic To Dogs?
Caffeine and theobromine amplify the human body functionality and systems; imagine the dog experiencing the same effects. Imagine how the dog’s small body can cope with the new changes and elevated functionalities.
The toxic dose of caffeine in dogs is around 150mg of caffeine per Kg of your dog’s body weight[Source]
Caffeine will make the dog feel excessively energized, then what does it do with that amount of energy? It can become restless or hyperactive; it can begin tearing things or breaking fences.
Effects of Caffeine On Dogs
You may not understand the signs and symptoms, especially if you do not see the dogs consume caffeine. Still, when you see these signs, it is an indicator of caffein intoxication:
- Hyperactivity
- Increased heartbeat
- Vomiting
- Panting or heavy breathing
- Tremors
- Collapse
- Seizures
- Dog sitting or lying in weird positions.
The effects can result in an increased heartbeat and blood flow throughout the body which can be dangerous. The human body is designed with systems to counter abnormal reactions and senses to respond to an emergency.
Dogs do not have effective adrenaline and other sensory organs that can inform them to seek medical attention or inform them they are going into a cardiac arrest. They cannot call emergency medication and shout for help.
Can Dogs Eat Coffee beans?
Any caffeine product is harmful to the dog; there is no difference between the beans and other caffeine products. However, coffee beans are hard, and the dog can ingest many of them; the effects can include gastrointestinal blockage. You can identify gastrointestinal blockage by observing these signs and symptoms:
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pains
- Dehydration
- Lack of appetite
- Lethargy
These effects can last for days, and the dog can sometimes lie or sit in unusual positions to signal abdominal discomforts. The longer the beans last in the dog’s stomach, the stronger the intoxications.
The dog’s body cannot digest the beans, while some may break due to softness releasing caffeine into the body. The caffeine levels may be so high, leading to death from overdose and discomfort.
If you observe any of these signs, notify the vet for help, or you can offer first aid to force the dog to vomit out the beans. The vet is essential in helping reduce the caffeine levels released into the dog’s bloodstream.
[Related Article: Is Gravy Train Good for Dogs and What Are Some Healthier Choices]
How Do I Make My Dog Throw Up?
We already have the answer to the question are coffee grounds bad for dogs. It is time to seek a remedy to save the dog.
If the dog ate coffee beans or any caffein product, you could still save them as long as they ate it not long ago. The process involves inducing vomiting in your dog. If you cannot reach the clinic, I can guide you through the procedure.
- Ensure the dog consumed the product not less than two hours ago. After two hours, the intervention will be useless. After two hours, the product shall have been absorbed into the blood, so you need other extensive measures.
- Mix hydrogen peroxide with milk or ice cream in equal rations. Pour the mixture and ensure it fills the shot glass, then proceed with the following.
- Sit or kneel on the floor and hold the dog tightly to ensure it does not escape. You can ask someone to help you with the process.
- Make them face the opposite direction and lift their muzzle upwards.
- Open their mouth and pour the entire mixture into their mouth as fast as possible.
- You can shut their mouth immediately to ensure they drink the full mixture.
- Allow the dog to run freely outside. For hydrogen peroxide to work, the dog has to engage in some motion. You can chase them around to induce the activity.
- If the dog has not vomited in the next ten minutes, repeat the procedure.
- If you do not see any changes, call the vet immediately.
- If it works, ensure you take the dog to the vet for a checkup and ensure all the caffeine is flushed out of the body.
When using this method, there are certain safety measures you need to understand. The hydrogen peroxide and milk should be mixed in equal ratios to reduce the harmful effects of the peroxide on the dog. Too much milk will also dilute the effects of hydrogen peroxide, making it less effective.
Veterinary procedures in case of caffeine intoxication
When you suspect the dog has consumed caffeine, the first measure is to offer first aid before you consult the vet. The first aid may save the dog’s life. The first aid is majorly administered by making the dog vomit; however, this is only possible within the first two hours of ingestion.
Trust the vet to conduct blood tests and analysis to reveal the content in the dog’s bloodstream and how much are in the blood. After that, the vet can commence the treatment procedure after a conclusive diagnosis.
Suppose the vomiting is not applicable as a remedy; the vet may perform gastrointestinal decontamination, a procedure to flash out contents from the dog’s intestine and stomach. After the decontamination, the vet will offer activated carbon.
Activated carbon absorbs the remaining caffeine in the stomach and intestines, and bloodstream. The process reduces the levels of caffeine in the dog to prevent restlessness and extensive energy.
In case the levels of caffeine are still high in the dog’s blood, the vet may observe for signs of hyperactivity and offer other medications such as the use of beta-blockers. Beta-blockers help to reduce the dog’s heartbeat and any signs of hyperactivity.
They will prevent the dog from going into cardiac arrest or heart rapturing. Another medication is IV fluids that can be administered within 12 to 24 hours.
These medications are expensive in the long run; it’s better to keep the dog safe than to spend the money at the vet. You can also lose the dog in the process of treatment in case you identify the signs late or the caffeine is too much for the dog.
Wrap Up
We owe the dogs a duty of care, and that is why they are pets and not partners or children and colleagues. You have to ensure you store any coffee products safely away from the reach of dogs.
Protection will always be cheaper than the bills you will spend at the vet or the pain of losing your favorite pet. Dogs are playful, and sometimes they may play with caffeine items; part of their play is either tearing or eating some of the products. In the case of poisoning, you are responsible because they are ignorant about many dangerous products.
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