Cola
CautionA 12 oz cola holds 23-83 mg of caffeine, far less than coffee, but that still reaches the mild-signs threshold for a 7 lb dog. In practice the sugar and the carbonation cause more vomiting and bloating than the caffeine does.
This food guide has not been reviewed by a veterinarian. It summarises general information from sources and should not be used to decide whether a food is suitable for an individual dog or to assess an emergency.
Check before feeding
Check the precautions before sharing
Risk depends on preparation, ingredients or amount. Read the precautions below; body weight alone cannot establish a safe portion.
Signs and health concerns
This list includes both observable signs and conditions identified through examination or testing. It cannot establish the cause or whether an exposure is safe.
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Loose stool
- Bloating
- Abdominal swelling
- Restlessness
- Fast heartbeat
- Increased urine volume
- Excessive activity
More about this food
As caffeinated drinks go, cola is at the weak end. FDA puts a 12 fl oz can at 23 to 83 mg. Merck sets the canine threshold for mild GI signs at 20 mg/kg, so a 7 lb (3 kg) dog needs 60 mg - which a high-caffeine cola reaches in one can. An 11 lb (5 kg) dog needs 100 mg, more than a can; a 22 lb dog needs 200 mg, close to three. Unlike coffee or an energy drink, cola is not a one-sip emergency.
What actually causes trouble is three other things. Sugar: about 35-39 g in a 12 oz can, enough to produce vomiting, loose stool and diarrhea, and over time obesity, dental disease and wrecked diabetic control. Carbonation: gas in the stomach, belching, a distended belly and discomfort. And caffeine, which in a small dog shows up as restlessness, a fast heart rate and increased urination.
There is one picture you must separate out. If a deep-chested large dog - Great Dane, German Shepherd, Standard Poodle, setters, Weimaraners - has a visibly swollen belly, is retching repeatedly without bringing anything up, is drooling and cannot settle, treat it as possible gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV). There is no evidence cola causes GDV, but if you see that picture, do not debate the cause - go now. Hours decide the outcome.
Owners often panic about diet cola. The sweeteners used in it - aspartame, sucralose, acesulfame potassium - do not cause hypoglycemia or liver injury in dogs the way xylitol does. Xylitol appears in gum, mints and some syrups, not in sugar-free soda. That said, diet colas are not caffeine-free, and some carry more caffeine than the regular version.
A few laps needs water and a few hours of watching. Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 if a small dog drank a full can, or if you see trembling, a racing heart, or repeated vomiting. Do not induce vomiting at home.
Frequently asked questions
- My dog drank some cola off the table.
- A few swallows is usually fine - offer water and watch for a few hours. A dog under 7 lb that finished a whole can can reach the mild-signs threshold, so call your vet if you see trembling, a racing heart or repeated vomiting.
- Does diet cola contain xylitol?
- No. Diet and zero colas use aspartame, sucralose and acesulfame potassium, none of which cause the hypoglycemia or liver injury that xylitol does. The caffeine is still there, though, and sometimes higher than in regular cola.
- His belly looks bloated. Is that just the fizz?
- Mild distension can be the carbonation. But a deep-chested large dog with a visibly swollen abdomen, repeated unproductive retching and drooling is a GDV emergency. Do not wait to work out the cause - go to a veterinarian immediately.