Humans Drink Alcoholic Beverages For A Lot Of Reasons
Some drink alcohol to relieve stress, enjoy other people’s company, escape problems and simply have fun. Thus, it is not difficult to see why the idea of giving our dogs a glass of alcohol may cross our minds.
However, before you convert your dog into your drinking buddy, you need to ask the question, “Can dogs get drunk?” Most importantly, “What can it do to your four-legged friend?”
In this post, let us take a deeper look and know the answers to our questions.
Can Dogs Get Drunk?
The answer is yes. Dogs can get drunk when they drink excessive alcohol. The smaller the dog, the smaller amount of alcohol is needed to get him drunk.
A drunk dog will exhibit behavioral changes. Just like humans, they will have problems walking or standing up due to loss of balance and lack of coordination. They can also experience excessive urination, involuntary defecation, or even unresponsiveness.
While a drunk dog may look funny as they try to walk and stay on their feet, you need to know drunkenness can adversely affect your dog’s health.
Here are some symptoms that a drunk dog may manifest:
1. Low body temperature
1. Drooling
2. Nausea
3. Vomiting
4. Weakness
5. Drowsiness
6. Diarrhea
7. Shortness of breath
8. Coma
9. Seizures
10. Collapse
To make things worse, the symptoms mentioned above may lead to:
1. Stroke
2. Bloat
3. Hypoglycemia
4. Heart disease
5. Organ system failure
If the symptoms are left untreated, alcohol intoxication in dogs can lead to organ failure and death. A few things that may cause illness to your dog due to alcohol include ethanol toxicosis and metabolic acidosis. Both of these conditions are life-threatening and should warrant immediate medical intervention.
Preventing Your Dog From Drinking Alcohol
No doubt, dogs can get drunk and the effect can be dangerous for him. For this reason, you need to avoid giving your dog alcohol drinks, from beer to alcohol-infused treats.
Keep all forms of alcohol stored out of reach of your dog. Moreover, don’t leave alcoholic beverages unattended. If you have guests, gently instruct them not to give your dog drinks. Spilled beverages should be cleaned immediately.
Finally, be sure to discuss this with your vet. If you suspect your dog has ingested an alcoholic beverage, be alert of deadly signs and symptoms such as shortness of breath and unresponsiveness. If you believe your dog is drunk, call your vet for advice.
