Soju
ToxicSoju is a 16-17% ABV Korean spirit, and no safe amount of ethanol has been established for dogs. Signs usually begin within 30-60 minutes and include ataxia, hypoglycemia, hypothermia and respiratory depression.
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
Do not offer as a treat
There is no recommended treat portion for this hazardous item. If swallowed, contact a vet with the amount, time and product details. Do not induce vomiting yourself.
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
- Poor coordination or balance
- Disorientation
- Lethargy
- Tremors
- Low body temperature
- Low blood sugar
- Slow heartbeat
- Seizures
- Reduced breathing
More about this food
Soju is now on the shelf at most US liquor stores and on every Korean restaurant table, which makes it a household ethanol exposure rather than an exotic one. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that all alcohols are rapidly absorbed through the GI tract and are well absorbed through skin. In a dog, ethanol does much more than produce a wobble. It depletes pyruvate and blocks gluconeogenesis, which drives hypoglycemia; acidic metabolites produce metabolic acidosis; and peripheral vasodilation, CNS depression and impaired thermoregulation together cause hypothermia. Severe cases end in coma and respiratory depression.
Signs generally start 30-60 minutes after ingestion. Expect vomiting, diarrhea, ataxia, disorientation, lethargy, tremors and labored breathing first, progressing to coma, hypothermia, seizures, bradycardia and respiratory depression.
There is no useful answer in shot glasses. A standard soju pour is about 1.7 fl oz at 16-17% ABV, roughly 6-7 grams of pure ethanol per glass. That same glass delivers ten times the per-pound dose to a 7 lb Maltese that it does to a 66 lb Lab. Pet Poison Helpline reports poisoning from pets taking licks of mixed drinks, beer or wine, and from liquor-filled candies and raw yeast bread dough. The flavored bottles matter most here: peach, green grape, strawberry and yogurt soju taste like soda, so dogs will drink a spilled glass willingly, and soju bombs dropped into beer end up on the floor.
Do this now. Write down the ABV, roughly how much was swallowed, the time, and your dog's weight, then call your veterinarian or an emergency clinic. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is (888) 426-4435 and Pet Poison Helpline is (855) 764-7661; both charge a consultation fee and will give your vet a case number. Do not induce vomiting at home. A dog that is already ataxic has a blunted swallowing reflex and can aspirate. Do not pour in coffee, food or water to sober the dog up, and do not put it in a cold shower, which worsens hypothermia. When the table is cleared, get the leftover glasses, spills, soju-soaked fruit and broth off the floor.
Frequently asked questions
- My dog licked a spilled soju glass. Is that an emergency?
- It depends on your dog's weight and how much was actually swallowed, but no ethanol dose is established as safe in dogs and a small dog reaches a meaningful dose from a surprisingly small spill. Call your vet or the APCC at (888) 426-4435 with the ABV, the volume and your dog's weight.
- He is just wobbly. Can I let him sleep it off?
- No. What kills in ethanol toxicosis is hypoglycemia, hypothermia and respiratory depression, and all three progress quietly during sleep. Signs that start at 30-60 minutes can keep worsening for hours, so call an emergency clinic tonight rather than checking in the morning.
- Is flavored soju safer because it is lower proof?
- It is more dangerous in practice, not safer. Fruit and yogurt soju still carry roughly 12-14% alcohol, and because they taste sweet a dog will drink a full spilled glass instead of one lick. Treat any flavored bottle exactly like a spirit.