Why it is dangerous for dogs
Coffee contains caffeine. It strongly stimulates a dog's nervous system and heart: the dog becomes restless and pants, its heart beats fast and unevenly, and muscle twitching and seizures can follow.
Coffee beans, ground and instant coffee, capsules and used grounds hold far more caffeine than the brewed drink. How much caffeine causes harm cannot be judged at home, and the signs may not start straight away.
Contact a vet or an emergency clinic now, even if your dog seems well. Tell them what was eaten and when, and take the packaging with you.
What to watch out for
- Restlessness, panting, a fast and uneven heartbeat.
- Vomiting and diarrhoea.
- Muscle twitching, seizures and, in severe cases, collapse.
- A dog can eat coffee grounds or used capsules from the bin.
- Caffeine is also in tea, energy drinks, cocoa and chocolate.
What it can cause
Signs that can appear after eating it. Each page explains what to look out for and when to hurry to a vet.
What to give instead
Foods that are safer to give.
- Watermelon Yes, watermelon is fine for dogs: give small pieces of flesh without seeds or rind, especially as a cooling treat on a hot day. Safe
- Cucumbers Yes, fresh cucumber is fine for dogs: it is mostly water and low in calories, but do not give pickled cucumbers. Safe
- Carrots Yes, carrots are fine for dogs: raw or cooked, unseasoned and cut into pieces, they make a crunchy, low-calorie treat. Safe