What Can Dogs Drink? A Guide to Dogs & Beverages

We know we have to be careful about the types of foods dogs can eat but what can dogs drink? Do we need to be careful about the types of liquid refreshment we allow our dogs to consume? Of course we do!

I’ve talked at length about foods dogs can eat and can’t eat. I’ve also published a whole series of articles detailing a variety of foods that are harmful for dogs, and others dogs can eat without problems.

In this article I’m focusing on what dogs can drink.

You may have read some of my recent posts about some things dogs can or can’t drink and the reasons why. In this post I’m going to focus on a general list of beverages and add to it over time.

This article then will be a quick reference post. When I get the chance, I’ll extend the information each drink listed here and give them their own more comprehensive post.

What Can Dogs Drink?

I’ve produced this list in alphabetical order rather than separating them into categories of the drinks dogs can consume and those they can’t.

My aim in organising them in this way is that you can simply scan alphabetically to find the drink you’re interested in learning about.

Please remember this is not an exhaustive list and I will add to it as time passes.

Almond Milk?

Yes, dogs can drink almond milk… but only if unsweetened. If almond milk is sweetened with sugars it will mean your dog is consuming unnecessary calories. If it’s flavoured with artificial sweeteners, especially xylitol, it can actually be fatally dangerous.

A little unsweetened almond milk from the bottom of your glass as a treat probably won’t cause harm. But never let your dog drink almond milk in large quantities.

Find out more: Can Dogs Drink Almond Milk?

Apple Juice?

No, dogs shouldn’t drink Apple juice. Although dogs can eat apples, most apple juice is full of added sugars and or sweeteners. As I’ve mentioned already, excess sugar in a dog’s diet can lead to weight gain and a raft of associated health risks and sweeteners can be toxic to dogs.

Additionally, apple juice is acidic and this may well cause stomach upsets, vomiting and diarrhoea… even in small doses.

Can Dogs Drink Carrot Juice?

Yes, dogs can drink carrot juice as long as it’s natural and unsweetened. Like most of the drinks on this list though, just because something isn’t toxic to dogs it doesn’t mean you should serve it up on a regular basis.

Carrots contain fiber, vitamins and minerals and can be a good treat for dogs in themselves, and so you can give dogs carrots as a treat once in a while.

Chocolate Drinks?

No, Dogs can’t drink chocolate milk. To be honest, you have to be very careful with chocolate in any form.

Most chocolate products made for humans, including chocolate drinks, contain fat and sugar by the cartload. However, chocolate also contains caffeine and a substance called theobromine. Both are extremely dangerous to dogs in sufficient quantities and can cause organ damage.

Never let your dog consume chocolate drinks.

Coffee?

No, dogs can’t drink coffee. The caffeine in coffee can be extremely dangerous for dogs, causing heart problems, vomiting and diarrhoea. In large quantities, caffeine can even cause death.

Never let your dog drink coffee, and if your dog drinks some by accident contact a veterinary professional immediately.

Cranberry Juice?

Cranberries aren’t toxic to dogs like some fruits are but that does mean to say you should allow your dog to drink juice made from them.

Although cranberry juice contains nutritional benefits, vitamin C being one, it’s also often high in sugar. Furthermore, cranberry juice is acidic,which can cause gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting and diarrhoea.

You probably shouldn’t let your dog drink cranberry juice.

Can Dogs Drink Coconut Water?

Yes, dogs can drink coconut water as long as it’s natural and not sweetened.

Coconut water contains many vitamins, minerals and electrolytes that may deliver multiple health benefits for dogs… but only in moderation!

Find out more: Can Dogs Drink Coconut Water?

Fruit Juice?

All fruit juices contain sugar and / sweeteners aren’t the most healthy things for dogs to consume. Sugar delivers unnecessary calories and some sweeteners are highly dangerous for dogs.

While a small amount of some fruit juices will probably not be harmful to your dog, it’s probably best not to permit your dog to drink fruit juice of any kind regularly.

Can Dogs Drink Grape Juice?

No, dogs shouldn’t drink grape juice. Grapes and raisins are highly toxic to dogs and although it’s not fully understood how or why, they can cause liver and kidney failure.

Not only that but grape juice contains sugar, sweeteners and preservatives that may contribute to canine obesity or cause digestive upset.

Never let your dog drink grape juice.

Lemonade?

No, dogs shouldn’t drink lemonade… primarily for the same reason dogs shouldn’t drink many things listed here: sugar.

Of course, lemons contain a good deal of vitamin C, which dogs need in their diet. However, lemonade also contains citric acid… something that can cause digestive upset.

Milk?

No, dogs shouldn’t drink milk. Dogs tend to suffer from lactose intolerance and so cows milk and other dairy products can lead to vomiting, diarrhoea and even allergic reactions.

Milk itself isn’t toxic to dogs, so if your dog drinks some it probably won’t require an emergency visit to the vet. However, it’s probably not worth giving your dog cows milk in case it upsets your dog’s digestive system.

Can Dogs Drink Oat Milk?

Yes, dogs can drink oat milk in moderation. Once again though you have to be careful with sugar and sweeteners, so what we’re talking about here is unsweetened oat milk.

The only other potential issue with oat milk is that it’s quite high in fibre. While of course fibre is important for digestive health, too much fibre in a dog’s diet can cause digestive upsets.

Orange Juice?

No, dogs shouldn’t drink orange juice. As with all juices on this list, orange juice can be high in sugars and/ or sweeteners. Like lemonade, OJ also contains citric acid, which can upset your dog’s stomach,

Powerade?

No, dogs shouldn’t drink Powerade. Powerade isn’t toxic to dogs but it does contain sugar, syrupsm sodium and other minerals like many human “sports” drinks.

Sports Drinks?

No, dogs shouldn’t drink sports drinks. As per Powerade, most sports drinks contain high amounts of sugars, salts and artificial colours and flavours.

While sports drinks can also include vitamins and minerals, it’s worth remembering that they’re designed for humans and not dogs.

Sprite?

No, dogs shouldn’t drink Sprite. Although not immediately harmful to dogs like caffeine drinks, Sprite is a soft drink containing sugar and sweeteners.

The truth is, Sprite is a soft drink designed for humans and not something you should allow your dog to drink.

Tea?

No, dogs shouldn’t drink tea. Like coffee, tea contains caffeine, which is toxic to dogs. Although one cup of tea is unlikely to deliver a fatal dose of caffeine, it still has the potential to over-stimulate your dog, increasing its heart rate and potentially causing stomach upsets.

Of course, the smaller the dog the more pronounced the effects of caffeine will be. So if your dog drinks a large amount of tea, or if it eats a tea bag you should seek advice from a veterinary professional.

Can Dogs Drink Wine?

No, dogs should never drink wine. The alcohol in wine is toxic to dogs and can make them extremely unwell, causing vomiting, breathing difficulties and stomach upsets. In sufficient quantities alcohol poisoning can be fatal.

While it may seem harmless to allow your dog a small sip of wine, even small amounts can make your dog extremely unwell.

Summary… What Can Dogs Drink?

In reality your dog should only ever really need to drink water to remain hydrated and maintain a healthy digestive system.

Of course we all enjoy giving our dogs a little treat, and sometimes our sneaky little friends can drink things not intended for them when our backs are turned. Some drinks won’t harm them but some others may be dangerous to them requiring a visit to a veterinarian.

As a general rule you should avoid giving your dog any drink containing:

• Alcohol
• Artificial sweeteners (especially xylitol)
• Artificial flavourings
• Caffeine
• Salt
• Sugar
• Theobromine

If you ever have any doubt about food or drink your dog has consumed, speak to a veterinary professional as soon as possible.

Has your dog consumed a drink it shouldn’t have? Can you add to this list? Please leave a comment at the bottom of this page to tell us about it.

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