You wake up one morning to see that the half-full glass of wine you accidentally left out the night before is now empty, and no one is at home except for you and your pup — it's clear that your dog is the likely culprit that drank the alcohol. Questions race through your mind: Is your dog intoxicated? Does he have alcohol poisoning? Do you need to bring him to the veterinarian?
Hopefully, you'll never be in this situation, but knowing the risks involved and the steps to take if your dog were to ever sneak a sip can help keep your pup safe.
Just like chocolate and onions, alcohol is toxic to dogs. Even small amounts of alcohol — not only in drinks but also in syrups and raw bread dough — can have ingredients that are poisonous for them. Both ethanol (the intoxicating agent in beer, wine and liquor) and hops (used to brew beer) can cause dogs alcohol intoxication. Signs of intoxication can include:
In severe cases, or if left untreated, alcohol intoxication in dogs can cause failure of the organ systems and even death.
While it might seem harmless to let your dog take the tiniest sip of your wine, beer or mixed drink, the bottom line is that it's never OK to let your dog drink alcohol. It's never acceptable to put his health at risk, no matter how amusing it may seem at the moment. As a pet parent, it's your responsibility to keep your pooch safe, and that includes keeping him away from alcohol.
If despite your best precautions, your dog somehow drinks alcohol, the first thing you should do is alert your vet and get recommendations on how to proceed. Depending on the alcohol content and the amount they consumed, some vets might ask you to take your dog in for a checkup immediately; others may suggest waiting it out to see if your dog has a reaction before coming in.
Usually, if your dog drinks more than one small sip of alcohol — or, if you don't know how much he drank — it's best to bring him to the vet right away. If the vet's office is closed, you should head to an emergency veterinarian center. A dog with alcohol poisoning needs to be treated immediately. You'll want to call your vet or the emergency clinic on your way there to let them know that your dog accidentally drank alcohol; that way, a vet can be ready for you as soon as you arrive.
Here are some basic tips to prevent your dog from consuming alcohol in the future.
Now that you know what happens when a dog drinks alcohol, do all you can to keep your pooch away from liquor at all times. No matter how curious Fido gets, it's never OK to share! If an accident does happen, though, now you'll know what to do.
Erin Ollila believes in the power of words and how a message can inform—and even transform—its intended audience. Her writing can be found all over the internet and in print, and includes interviews, ghostwriting, blog posts, and creative nonfiction. Erin is a geek for SEO and all things social media. She graduated from Fairfield University with an M.F.A. in Creative Writing. Reach out to her on Twitter @ReinventingErin or learn more about her at http://erinollila.com.
Supports digestive health, nourishes skin and promotes a lustrous coat
Improves Everyday Ability to Get Up & Go
Vital nutrients to support 5 essential building blocks for lifelong health, tailored for unique needs of Small and Mini puppies
Delicious braised beef paired with tender vegetables in a succulent stew
Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin Variety Pack
Supports healthy joints, immune system, digestion, lean muscle & beautiful coat
Improves Everyday Ability to Get Up & Go
Supports healthy joints, lean muscle, and beautiful coat for large breed dogs
A delicious complement to the nutrition of Science Diet dry dog food
Supports lean muscle for dogs who prefer smaller kibble
Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin dry dog food is gentle on stomachs while nourishing skin & promoting a lustrous coat.
A delicious complement to the nutrition of Science Diet Small & Mini dog food
Supports digestive health, nourishes skin and promotes a lustrous coat
Beef & Barley Entrée with great taste and precisely balanced nutrition to support 5 essential building blocks for lifelong health
Supports healthy immune system, digestion, lean muscle & beautiful coat
Vital nutrients to support 5 essential building blocks for lifelong health
Supports healthy immune system, digestion, lean muscle & beautiful coat
A delicious complement to the nutrition of Science Diet Small Paws 7+ dry dog food
Fewer calories for less active dogs, who prefer smaller kibble
Beef & Barley recipe with precisely balanced nutrition to keep adult dogs active and healthy.
Learn how reading & understanding your puppy's body language, barking, and whining can help with his obedience training.
Discover how whether your dog can actually see in the dark, how well they can see, and if they're safe when the lights are low or off completely.
Use these helpful tips for going on a road trip with your dog to keep him safe and happy.
Watermelon is usually a healthy treat for dogs, but learn the tips about its safety, which parts are OK to feed your dog, and how much is a healthy amount.
You're not the only pet parent out there wondering, "Does My Dog Smell Like Corn Chips?" Learn why this is such a common smell your pup might give off.
Does shaming your dog have a positive effect, or are you just encouraging more bad behavior? Learn more about how he interprets feelings of guilt & shame.
A dog's nose can be an indicator of health, so learn how to best care for your dog if their nose is dry, cracked, warm, red, flaky, or has nasal discharge.
Learn about cherry eye in dogs, including causes, breeds that are predisposed to developing the condition, treatement options & prevention tips.
Discover easy and effective methods for teaching your dog to play fetch, including commands to use and how rewards can help him learn the game.
If you're interested in training your new puppy to sit, stay, lie down, fetch and more, then read these help command training tips from Hill's.
Can puppies eat adult dog food? Learn all about puppy nutrition and how — and when — to transition your pup to adult dog food.
Discover how common dental disease is in dogs and what you can do to help prevent it happening to your dog.
Every puppy should get a health check-up at six months by a veterinarian to make sure he is healthy. Learn what to expect at your puppy's health check.
Learn the types of gastroenteritis in dogs, the various ways symptoms that can show up, treatment options and when it's serious enough for a vet visit.
Learn how much to feed your new puppy, how to handle a pup that's a picky eater, and whether wet or dry dog food is best for his needs.
Dog boops are all the craze on social media, but the booping nose gesture isn't just cute, it's also a great way to connect with your dog. Learn more...
Learn when braces can be an option for dogs, like when a dog has severe bite or teeth alignment issues, and how they can help dogs chew & eat normally.
Do you know where your dog food of choice comes from? Is it truly Made in the USA? Learn about, label products as Made in the USA.
Digestive issues are something that every dog owner will face, but learning how to identify how serious his problem is and what to do about it is key.
Learn why cars can be a very dangerous place to leave your dog, including how quickly temperatures can get too hot or cold & alternatives to leaving them.
Our low calorie formula helps you control your dog's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Our low calorie formula helps you control your dog's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
©2025 Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. As used herein, denotes registered trademark status in the U.S. only; registration status in other geographies may be different. Your use of this site is subject to the terms of our Legal Statement. About our Ads. Cookie Consent Tool