Dogs are generally affable creatures who will eat or drink just about anything they come across. Their nondiscriminatory appetites can cause serious harm. Espresso contains substances that can make your puppy very sick. To be safe, if your dog has gotten a hold of your morning pick-me-up, contact your vet.
Caffeine Causes Canine Health Problems
Coffee and caffeine, in espresso and drip coffee, are toxic to dogs. According to the ASPCA, they contain methylxanthines, which cause digestive issues such as vomiting and diarrhea as well as panting, excessive thirst and urination. Other potential side effects are hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures and death.
Espresso Packs a Caffeine Punch
When it comes to caffeine content, espresso has more caffeine in 100 grams than regular drip coffee, according to the Food and Drug Administration. An 8-ounce serving of drip coffee has 95 milligrams of caffeine -- while a 1-ounce serving of espresso has 64 milligrams of caffeine. That translates to 40 mg of caffeine in 100 grams of drip coffee and 212 milligrams of caffeine in 100 grams of espresso. If your dog has lapped up espresso, it is important to tell your vet how much he drank.
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Writer Bio
Catherine Lovering has written about business, tax, careers and pets since 2006. Lovering holds a B.A. (political science), LL.B. (law) and LL.L. (civil law).