ALCOHOL TOXICITY IN DOGS/CATS
WHAT THIS SYMPTOM USUALLY MEANS
Pets are extremely sensitive to alcohol—from drinks, yeast dough, cleaning products, or fermented foods. Even small amounts can cause vomiting, stumbling, dangerously low blood sugar, or respiratory depression.
MOST COMMON CAUSES
MILD
• Licking small amounts of spilled alcoholic beverages
MEDICAL CAUSES
• Ingestion of cocktails or beer
• Yeast dough ingestion (fermentation produces ethanol)
• Alcohol-based cleaning products
EMERGENCY CAUSES
• Severe vomiting
• Staggering
• Slow breathing
• Hypothermia
• Seizures
• Unresponsiveness
RED FLAGS
• Stumbling
• Low body temperature
• Very slow breathing
If you’re unsure, treat it as urgent.
AT-HOME CARE YOU CAN START NOW
• Keep warm
• Prevent further ingestion
• Seek veterinary care
WHAT A VETERINARIAN WILL CHECK
• Blood glucose
• Temperature
• IV fluids
• Supportive care
• Anti-seizure medication
MOST LIKELY DIAGNOSES
• Alcohol intoxication
• Hypoglycemia
• Aspiration pneumonia