Toxicity to pets

Many common products contain caffeine including coffee, tea, soda, energy drinks, some supplements (e.g. pre-workout and weight-loss supplements), and energy pouches, “shots”, tablets. Both caffeine and theobromine, a chemical related to caffeine, are also found in chocolate.

Dogs and cats appear to be more sensitive to the effects of caffeine than people. One or two licks of coffee, tea or soda is unlikely to cause poisoning in most pets. However, ingestion of unused coffee grounds or beans, tea bags, or supplements could cause serious toxicity in dogs or cats. Large coffee drinks with sweeteners and creams may be appealing to dogs and cat while also contain extra “shots” of coffee/espresso. Depending on the amount ingested, signs of hyperactivity, gastrointestinal upset, changes in heart rate, rhythm and blood pressure, and neurologic signs including tremors and seizures.