After a hard day’s work, nothing can be more satisfying than grabbing a bottle of beer and enjoying it with friends.
However, what if the only friend you have at the moment is your pet pooch?
Would it be okay to have a drink with your canine buddy?
Dogs have tendencies to eat any food offered to them, or most foods lying around, and they will drink any offerings too!
Dogs usually drink water but have been known to drink other liquids like coffee, tea, lemonade, including beer!
Beer provides health benefits to humans when imbibed moderately, but how about dogs?
We are so preoccupied with our dog’s diet that we forget to think about what is proper for them to drink.
Foods undergo a lot of research before releasing to pets and are usually considered for their health benefits.
Foods contain additional minerals and vitamins to maintain your dog’s health. What about drinks?
Are there alternatives to water that can be given to pets?
Water is the universal drink for all living things.
But is it alright to give some beer to your furry friend?
We will try to answer this enigmatic question in this article.
Can Dogs Drink Beer?
The quick and straight answer to that question is NO!
Beer is an alcoholic beverage and must not be given to dogs.
Dogs have to hydrate, but beer contains a volume of alcohol that far exceeds any amount for dogs.
A critical reminder: you must never give your dog alcohol beverages.
Any accidental intake may lead initially to vomiting, then possibly create brain damage, and in extreme cases, even cause death.
Dogs cannot tolerate alcohol as effectively as humans do, so, under no circumstances should you give them a beer!
As in humans, alcohol causes harmful effects on dogs‘ organs such as the brain, kidneys, and liver. Beer also causes dehydration, which can be dangerous, especially on hot days.
Some people let their dogs drink beer for fun, and this is quite irresponsible.
When your dog is getting drunk, stop him from drinking beer at once.
Dogs mustn’t get intoxicated and should always be alert and healthy so they can protect their master.
During parties or sports events, people may find it funny watching their dog wobbling, not realizing it is very unsafe for the animal.
Any amount of alcohol could harm a dog, so to prevent any mishap, better drink that beer yourself!
In case your dog has somehow consumed beer unintentionally, monitor your dog carefully to be sure he is safe.
Let your dog drink lots of water, and have him rest until the beer passes naturally.
You may want to call your vet to check on your dog and keep everything in order.
Vets are familiar with these cases and will gladly assist you in helping your dog recover.
What are the Health Risks When Dogs Drink Beer?
There are several health risks involved in dog’s beer consumption.
We will be discussing those risks in detail within the following section, so please continue reading through.
Will my Dogs Liver be Damaged if He Drinks Beer?
Alcohol and your dog’s liver don’t mix (no pun intended)!
A dog’s liver is small and will have difficulty processing alcohol present in beer.
Unfortunately, damage like this can’t be repaired and might even be fatal.
Will Drinking Beer Cause Dehydration?
Giving beer to your dog as a substitute for water will not provide him with an adequate amount of hydration required.
Moreover, that beer will do more harm than good as alcohol will absorb the water from his system with all the vital electrolytes.
That will cause your pet to lose minerals like potassium, sodium, and chlorine.
Your dog needs water to stay healthy, not beer.
Is Physical Depression Caused by Drinking Beer?
The first thing you will notice when a dog drinks alcohol is diminished coordination.
Then the dog’s breathing and heart rate will decrease, and at that point, the dog may effortlessly slip into a comatose.
Beer assaults the nervous system, causing it to be depressed.
The dog will also be confused as the intoxication sensation envelopes him.
Since dogs are not aware of alcohol and its effects, they may become stressed and agitated.
Is Low Blood Sugar an Effect of Drinking Beer?
Any amount of alcohol intake will induce a massive drop in blood sugar levels in your dog.
That means your dog will be more prone to brain damage and seizures.
Dogs require a balanced level of blood sugar, and care should be taken in ensuring this average level is maintained.
Will my Dogs Kidney get Damaged by Beer?
Kidneys are essential to the body as they filter water, electrolytes, and blood.
Alcohol will damage the kidneys and upset their usual activity, thus making your dog more prone to being sick and possibly die.
Dog owners should treat their pets’ body functions and systems as their own.
What Are The Various Symptoms of Alcohol Poisoning?
In case your dog accidentally consumes an undetermined amount of alcohol, watch out for these signs:
Apparent diminished coordination, noticeable hyperactivity, mood swings, getting confused, violent seizures, having a low body temperature, having difficulty in breathing, and urinating very often.
Dogs will manifest symptoms of intoxication, just like humans do.
Humans who drink alcohol on an empty stomach will be intoxicated quickly.
The same happens to a dog, but this is multiplied tenfold or more.
Your dog will manifest intoxication after about a half-hour when its stomach is empty and in about a couple of hours on a full stomach.
Keep a careful eye on your dog regardless of the elapsed time.
Can beer increase body weight in dogs?
Body weight is a vital factor in alcohol toxicity.
Since dogs weigh significantly less than humans, it will take substantially less alcohol to render them dangerously ill.
If you suspect your dog has imbibed so much alcohol, take him to the vet at once for immediate and proper treatment.
In case you cannot get your dog to a vet immediately, hydrate your dog with plenty of water to flush the toxins out.
You can also feed your dog as food helps in releasing the toxins faster.
