What Happens To A Dog If You Give It Alcohol: The Dangerous Effects Explained

“What happens if I give my dog alcohol?” Many people may not immediately associate alcohol with being a harmful substance for dogs, but it’s crucial to understand that even a relatively small amount of alcohol can have severe and potentially life-threatening effects on your furry companion. When a dog ingests alcohol, it can lead to a range of adverse symptoms, including sedation, difficulty walking or unsteadiness, vomiting, lowered body temperature, slowed breathing, increased acidity in the blood, low blood sugar, coma, seizures, and, tragically, even death. This information is essential for dog owners to be aware of, as it highlights the critical importance of keeping alcohol out of reach and ensuring that your pet is never exposed to it. This knowledge can help safeguard your dog’s health and well-being. (Date: April 20, 2020)

Understanding the potential harm alcohol can pose to dogs depends on various factors, primarily the concentration of ethanol in the substance consumed. To gauge its impact, it’s important to note that the oral lethal dose for dogs typically ranges from 5.5 to 7.9 grams of 100% ethanol per kilogram of the dog’s body weight. To put this into perspective, one milliliter of ethanol is equivalent to 0.789 grams. Therefore, if a dog were to ingest alcohol, the amount needed to potentially cause harm or intoxication can be calculated based on this information. As of December 20, 2022, these guidelines help veterinarians and pet owners better assess the risks associated with alcohol consumption in dogs.