Last Updated on September 1, 2026 by Fumipets
Many of us can’t imagine starting our day without our coffee. However, you should take some extra steps to ensure your furry friend does not drink your coffee, as it can cause serious complications in our dogs.
Dogs are opportunistic creatures who will often take advantage of spills, unattended beverages, or open garbage cans. Often this behavior is harmless, however, it can pose a threat, as many of the foods we enjoy can pose health risks if ingested by a dog, including coffee (regular and decaf) and coffee drinks like cold brews and blended drinks. Espresso, of course, can be an even bigger risk due to its concentrated caffeine content.
The primary concern when it comes to dogs consuming coffee, or coffee grounds, is the caffeine content. Dogs are more sensitive to caffeine than humans, and small quantities can make them very sick. For this reason, even decaffeinated coffee has risks associated with it because the process does not remove all the caffeine. And, of course, coffee drinks like lattes contain caffeine, too, and are just as inviting to your dog as they are to you because of all that added sugar and dairy.
Decaf Coffee Is Not Safe for Dogs
Through decaffeination, most but not all the caffeine is removed. The small quantity of caffeine that remains can impact small or sensitive dogs. While a few licks from a spilled mug may not be enough to pose a risk to a large dog, small dogs should be closely monitored for signs of caffeine toxicity.
Caffeine poisoning symptoms, or signs of caffeine toxicity, typically present within 30 to 60 minutes of consumption. They include:
- Abnormal heart rhythms
- Agitation
- Elevated heart rate
- High body temperature
- Panting
- Restlessness
- Vomiting
Coffee Grounds Are Dangerous to Dogs
More concerning than the beverage itself are the coffee beans and grounds. Caffeine can cause death in dogs, but the lethal dose depends on your dog’s size. If your dog consumes the grounds or beans, call your veterinarian or emergency vet clinic and tell them you are on your way with the dog. Beans and grounds contain a higher concentration of caffeine and pose a serious risk for caffeine poisoning.
If your dog has consumed coffee recently, your vet may induce vomiting to remove it from your dog’s system before the caffeine has had a chance to be absorbed. Your vet may also give your dog fluids, medications to help manage some of the symptoms of caffeine toxicity, and activated charcoal, which uses the process of adsorption to allow the caffeine to pass through your dog’s digestive tract without being absorbed by their body.
Keep Your Dog Away From Coffee
As with all toxic substances, the best practice is prevention. Keep all caffeinated products like coffee beans, coffee grounds, chocolate-covered coffee beans, caffeinated teas, caffeine pills, etc. in a secure location out of reach of your pups. Keep your freshly brewed beverages in a safe location where they cannot be knocked over or sampled by your pet, especially if they are hot! When you dispose of your used grounds, make sure they are disposed of in a secure receptacle, and if they are composted, make sure your dog cannot access the compost pile.
While coffee may be a part of our everyday lives, it can be dangerous if consumed by our pets due to its caffeine content. Even small amounts can be risky for small dogs and products like coffee grounds and beans constitute an emergency if ingested due to their high caffeine concentration. If your dog ever consumes a product with caffeine in it, it is best to contact your veterinarian or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 (there may be a charge).
The post My Dog Drank Coffee! Now What? appeared first on Whole Dog Journal.
