My dog ate alcohol (beer, wine, liquor) — what should I do?
🚨 RED — Go to an emergency vet NOW
Ethanol depresses the nervous system and can drop blood sugar and body temperature; dogs are more sensitive than people.
What to do now
- Call an emergency vet or animal poison control right now, even if your dog seems fine — signs can be delayed.
- Head to the nearest emergency vet; call ahead on the way.
- Remove any remaining material and keep packaging/labels — the vet will want product names and amounts.
- Do not induce vomiting unless a vet or poison-control expert tells you to.
- Note the time it was eaten, roughly how much, and your dog's weight.
Why it's a problem
Ethanol depresses the nervous system and can drop blood sugar and body temperature; dogs are more sensitive than people.
Symptoms to watch for
Wobbliness, vomiting, slow breathing, low temperature, coma.
When: 30-60 minutes
Frequently asked questions
Is alcohol (beer, wine, liquor) dangerous for dogs?
Yes. Ethanol depresses the nervous system and can drop blood sugar and body temperature; dogs are more sensitive than people. Treat it as an emergency and contact an emergency vet or animal poison control immediately.
What are the symptoms if my dog ate alcohol (beer, wine, liquor)?
Wobbliness, vomiting, slow breathing, low temperature, coma.
How soon do symptoms appear after a dog eats alcohol (beer, wine, liquor)?
30-60 minutes
What should I do if my dog ate alcohol (beer, wine, liquor)?
Call an emergency vet or animal poison control right now, even if your dog seems fine — signs can be delayed. Head to the nearest emergency vet; call ahead on the way.
Who can I call for help?
ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661, both 24/7 (fees may apply), or your nearest emergency vet.
Dose guidance
No reliable dog-specific threshold is published for home use, so any amount should be discussed with your vet or a poison hotline.
Sources
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Toxicoses from alcohols
- ASPCA: People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets
- Pet Poison Helpline: alcohol
Last verified against these sources: 2026-10-13. Where sources disagree, PawPanic uses the more conservative guidance.
Also known as: beer, wine, vodka, liquor, cocktail, whiskey · Category: Drink · Last reviewed 2026-10-14