What Can’t Dogs Drink? A Guide to Drinks That Are Bad For Dogs

While there are many drinks dogs can safely imbibe, there are many drinks made for human consumption that dogs should NEVER drink. Some drinks will make them unwell and other are dangerous to them. But which ones are they? What can’t dogs drink?

As a counter to my article about drinks that are safe for dogs, this article focuses on the drinks that are bad for dogs.

It’s intended as a guide to drinks we likely have at home but that you should keep out of reach of your dog… and most certainly not actively give as a liquid “treat”.

Please note… this is NOT an exhaustive list. When I get the chance, I’ll add to the information on this page and over time give each one their own separate post with more detail.

What Can’t 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.

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.

Find out more: Can Dogs Drink Apple Juice?

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.

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 cow’s 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 cow’s milk in case it upsets your dog’s digestive system.

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,.

Find out more: Can Dogs Drink orange Juice?

Powerade?

No, dogs shouldn’t drink Powerade. Powerade isn’t toxic to dogs but it does contain sugar, syrups, 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 should never 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.

Find out more: Can Dogs Drink Tea?

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’t Dogs Drink?

The truth is, your dog should only ever need to drink water to remain healthy and hydrated.

While we all enjoy giving our dogs a little treat, our dogs can drink things not intended for them if we’re not looking. Some drinks won’t harm them but others are dangerous and could result in a visit to a veterinarian.

The best advice is to make sure you keep your drinks out of your dog’s range and never leave your drink unattended where your dog can drink it.

As a general rule, be super careful with drinks containing:

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

If you ever have any doubt about something your dog drinks, speak to a veterinary professional as soon as you can.

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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