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Coffee

Caffeinated coffee is dangerous for dogs and cats. Beans and grounds are especially concentrated. If your pet drank coffee or ate beans, contact a veterinarian promptly for a risk assessment.

Reviewed:

Can I give it?

For dogs and cats: Dangerous Urgent help needed
Conditions and risksAlready eaten — what now?Check the variant (4)
A cup of black coffee and coffee beans on a red background: coffee is dangerous for dogs and cats

Already eaten — what now?

For dogs and cats

Urgent help needed

Remove the remaining product and call a veterinarian. Give your pet's weight, the coffee type and strength, the possible amount, the time and every added ingredient; keep the packaging or photograph the ingredients. Do not induce vomiting yourself. For tremors, seizures, collapse, severe agitation or breathing changes, leave for an open clinic immediately.

Check the variant

Variants and ingredients

Brewed coffee and espressoFor dogs and cats: Dangerous · Urgent help needed

Regular, instant or iced coffee and espresso, before considering added ingredients.

For dogs and cats

Conditions and restrictions

Do not offer regular coffee, espresso, iced coffee or instant coffee. Strength and serving size change the risk.

Benefits

There is no nutritional reason to give coffee.

Risks
  • Caffeine can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, restlessness, a fast or abnormal heartbeat, high blood pressure, tremors and seizures.
  • Severe poisoning can lead to collapse and death; caffeine concentration varies widely between products.
Already eaten — what now?

After one or two licks of an ordinary drink with no signs, remove the cup and watch your pet. Call a veterinarian immediately if more was swallowed, the amount is unknown, the drink is strong or signs develop. Do not induce vomiting yourself.

Beans, grounds and podsFor dogs and cats: Dangerous · Especially dangerous

Whole beans, fresh ground coffee, used grounds, pods and their contents.

For dogs and cats

Conditions and restrictions

Do not offer beans, ground coffee or used grounds. Secure bags, pods, rubbish and compost.

Benefits

There is no nutritional reason to give coffee.

Risks
  • Beans and fresh grounds contain far more caffeine by weight than a prepared drink; used grounds still retain caffeine.
  • A swallowed pod or capsule casing also creates a foreign-body risk.
Already eaten — what now?

Call a veterinarian immediately even if your pet still looks normal. Give the weight, coffee form, possible amount and time, and keep the packaging. Do not induce vomiting unless a veterinarian directly instructs you to.

Decaf coffeeFor dogs and cats: With restrictions

A decaffeinated drink: it contains less caffeine, but is not always caffeine-free.

For dogs and cats

Conditions and restrictions

Do not use it as a drink for your pet. This rating covers accidental exposure to plain decaf coffee without hazardous additions.

Benefits

There is no nutritional reason to give coffee.

Risks
  • Decaf coffee still contains some caffeine. A large amount may cause digestive upset, and added ingredients change the risk.
Already eaten — what now?

After one or two licks of plain decaf with no signs, observation is enough. Call a veterinarian if a large or unknown amount was swallowed, the drink had additions, or vomiting, restlessness, a fast heartbeat, tremors or weakness develop.

Drinks and desserts with additionsFor dogs and cats: Dangerous · Urgent help needed

Lattes, cappuccinos, mocha drinks, coffee liqueurs, ice cream, sweets and baked goods.

For dogs and cats

Conditions and restrictions

Do not offer coffee cocktails, mocha drinks, liqueurs, desserts or coffee sweets. The whole ingredient list needs assessment.

Benefits

There is no nutritional reason to give coffee.

Risks
  • Besides caffeine, the product may contain chocolate, xylitol, alcohol, a large amount of fat or other hazardous ingredients.
  • Milk and cream do not neutralise caffeine.
Already eaten — what now?

Keep the packaging or recipe and call a veterinarian immediately. Give the full ingredient list, amount, time and your pet's weight. Do not wait if the product contains chocolate, xylitol, alcohol, an unknown sweetener, or if signs develop.

Conditions and risks

For dogs and cats

Conditions and restrictions

Do not offer coffee. Keep drinks, beans, grounds, pods, rubbish and compost out of reach.

Benefits

There is no nutritional reason to give coffee.

Risks

  • Caffeine can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, restlessness, a fast or abnormal heartbeat, high blood pressure, tremors and seizures.
  • Severe poisoning can lead to collapse and death; caffeine concentration varies widely between products.

Caffeine affects the heart and nervous system. Risk depends on the strength and volume of the drink, the form of coffee, and the pet's weight and health. One or two licks of an ordinary drink are unlikely to poison most pets, but beans, fresh or used grounds, espresso and an unknown amount need prompt assessment.

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