PupkeeperToxicEmergency
Can dogs have coffee, tea and caffeine? Toxic in larger amounts
Toxic in larger amounts. Coffee grounds, beans, tea bags, energy drinks and caffeine pills can cause a racing heart, tremors and seizures.
If your dog ate or touched this, call your vet or a pet poison line now
United States
Poison lines in other countries: United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, France, JM, PR, Singapore, Switzerland, TT, VI
Coffee, tea and caffeine and dogs: key facts
- Verdict
- Toxic · Emergency: get help now
- What it can do
- Hyperactivity and restlessness, pacing or excessive vocalizing, vomiting or diarrhea, racing heart rate and increased urination. All 7
- How fast
- Within a few hours; signs can last up to several days
- What to do now
- Call your vet or a pet poison line now. All steps
- Sources
- Pet Poison Helpline, VCA Animal Hospitals, ASPCA Animal Poison Control. Reviewed 9 October 2026.
What should I do if my dog ate coffee, tea and caffeine?
- Call your vet or a pet poison line now.
- Note what was eaten, roughly how much, and when.
- Keep the package or cup so the vet can see the product.
- Move your dog away from any grounds, bags or pills.
Don't
- Don't make your dog vomit unless a vet tells you to.
- Don't wait for signs to appear before calling.
Symptoms to watch for
- Hyperactivity and restlessness
- Pacing or excessive vocalizing
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Racing heart rate
- Increased urination
- Tremors
- Seizures
When signs appear: Within a few hours; signs can last up to several days
Why
Caffeine is a stimulant that overexcites a dog's heart and nervous system. A sip of coffee or tea is unlikely to harm most dogs, but grounds, beans, tea bags, energy products and pills are far more concentrated.
Sources
- Pet Poison Helpline: Caffeine
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Caffeine Toxicity in Pets
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control: People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets
Guide reviewed 9 October 2026. Page updated 7 November 2026.
General information from the sources above, not a diagnosis. When in doubt, call your vet.