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The Most Criminal Foods for Dogs: Alcohol

By Colleen Williams
November 20, 2014 • 1 min. read
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Dogs, like people, often eat things they’ll later regret. Small objects and chemicals are generally kept out of reach of dogs, but it’s also up to pet parents to make sure they don’t leave dangerous foods within four-legged reach. In this series about the most criminal foods for dogs, we’ll uncover why five foods — avocadoschocolatemacadamia nuts, and grapes and raisins — are hazardous for pups.

Excessive alcohol consumption never ends well for humans, but even a few sips can cause life-threatening toxicity in dogs and cats. Alcohol of all varieties — even in unbaked desserts — can cause vomiting, central nervous symptom depression, hypothermia, seizures, respiratory failure, and, in extreme cases, death. Pets that consume alcohol are treated with intravenous fluids and warming measures.

With holiday parties fast approaching, be sure to keep the mulled wine and eggnog out of your pup’s reach. In the case that your dog does accidentally consume alcohol, call the pet poison hotline at 800-213-6680.

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If you’re not sure what to share, Healthy Paws has a great list of foods that are safe and not safe for dogs; Pets at WebMD has a thorough list of no-no’s for cats.

colleen williams
By Colleen Williams

Over the past decade, Colleen has written about health, wellness, beauty, and even pets for The New York Times, The Cut, Refinery29, xoVain, Healthy Paws Pet Insurance, and Seattle Met Magazine, as well as many beauty brands. She has a BFA in Art History from the University of New Mexico and an AAS in Fashion Design from Parsons School of Design in New York.

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