Is Caffeine (coffee / tea / energy drinks) toxic to dogs & cats?
Also known as: coffee / strong tea / energy drinks
🚑 What to do right after ingestion
Identify the product and amount; induced vomiting at the vet within 1-2 hours is most effective.
Toxicity notes
Toxic dose is ~100-200mg/kg, but coffee grounds, tea bags and tablets are concentrated — a real risk for small cats and dogs.
Poisoning symptoms
- • Agitation, can't settle
- • Rapid heart rate
- • Tremors
- • Vomiting
- • Seizures
Symptoms can be delayed (e.g. onion/garlic-induced hemolysis may take days) — a pet looking fine right now is no reason to relax.
FAQ
How much causes poisoning?
Toxic dose is ~100-200mg/kg, but coffee grounds, tea bags and tablets are concentrated — a real risk for small cats and dogs.
Can I make my pet vomit at home?
Home-induced vomiting is not advised: corrosive cleaners, sharp bones or existing neurological signs make it dangerous, and improper technique risks aspiration pneumonia. Vomiting should be induced by a vet with proper drugs at the right moment — most effective within 1-2 hours. So “head to the clinic as soon as you know” beats “try to induce vomiting first”.
Even without symptoms, use the symptom checker to review what to watch for
Start symptom check →