Alcohol
Alcohol
foods
Alternate names
alcohol, mixed drinks, beer, liquor, ethanol, unbaked bread dough, yeast, wine, spirits, cocktails
Toxicity to pets
Most people know not to give alcoholic drinks to their pets; however, alcohol poisoning in pets is more common than you think! Some pets will drink alcoholic beverages right out of the glass or may lap them off the floor if they spill. Alcohol is also found in surprising places including unbaked yeast bread dough and desserts made with alcohol. When pets ingest rising bread dough, alcohol from the fermenting yeast in the dough is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream and can result in alcohol poisoning. Ingestion of alcohol can cause dangerous drops in blood sugar, blood pressure, and body temperature. Severely intoxicated animals can potentially experience seizures and respiratory failure.
Common signs to watch for:
- Depression or lethargy
- Incoordination
- Drooling
- Vomiting or retching
- Weakness
- Collapse
- Decreased respiratory rate
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
- Hypotension (low blood pressure)
- Hypothermia (low body temperature)
Disclaimer
The content of this page is not veterinary advice. A number of factors (amount of substance ingested, size of the animal, allergies, etc.) determine what is toxic to a particular pet. If you think your pet has eaten something potentially toxic, call Pet Poison Helpline or seek immediate veterinary treatment.
