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Caffeine

Pet toxin reference — educational information only.
Pet toxins

What to know

Caffeine — toxicity in dogs and cats

EmergencyApplies to: dogs and cats.

Overview

Caffeine is toxic to dogs and cats. Like chocolate, caffeine contains methylxanthines that pets metabolize much more slowly than humans. Sources of caffeine poisoning in pets include coffee (grounds and beans are the most concentrated), tea, energy drinks, soda, diet pills, caffeine supplements, and certain medications like Excedrin or NoDoz. Coffee grounds and whole beans are particularly dangerous because of their high caffeine concentration - a dog that raids the trash and eats used coffee grounds needs emergency care. The lethal dose of caffeine in dogs is approximately 140 mg per kilogram of body weight, but serious symptoms can occur at much lower doses.

Symptoms

Restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, muscle tremors, seizures

Typical onset

1-2 hours

What to do

Seek emergency care for significant ingestion. Includes coffee, tea, energy drinks, caffeine pills.

This page is educational and does not replace veterinary advice. If your pet may have been exposed, call UVEC at (801) 218-2227 or ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435.

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Caffeine is toxic to dogs and cats. Like chocolate, caffeine contains methylxanthines that pets metabolize much more slowly than humans. Sources of caffeine poisoning in pets include coffee (grounds and beans are the most concentrated), tea, energy drinks, soda, diet pills, caffeine supplements, and certain medications like Excedrin or NoDoz. Coffee grounds and whole beans are particularly dangerous because of their high caffeine concentration - a dog that raids the trash and eats used coffee grounds needs emergency care. The lethal dose of caffeine in dogs is approximately 140 mg per kilogram of body weight, but serious symptoms can occur at much lower doses.

Symptoms
Restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, muscle tremors, seizures
Onset
1-2 hours
What to do now
Seek emergency care for significant ingestion. Includes coffee, tea, energy drinks, caffeine pills.
Call UVEC now: (801) 218-2227
This tool is informational only and does not replace veterinary advice. If ingestion may have happened, contact UVEC at (801) 218-2227 or ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435.