My dog got into caffeine.
How serious?
A lap of coffee is rarely a problem. Coffee grounds, K-cups, espresso beans, and caffeine pills are the dangerous forms: concentrated caffeine, small package. Chocolate-covered espresso beans? Run the chocolate calculator too.
Racing heart, tremors, or can\u2019t settle? Call 855-764-7661 NOWPublished thresholds (dogs)
Mild signs (restlessness, agitation, racing heart) are reported from about 14 mg/kg. Serious cardiotoxic effects from roughly 40 mg/kg. Potentially lethal ingestions around 100-200 mg/kg. Signs start within 30-60 minutes and can last 12+ hours.
The forms that hurt dogs
Liquid coffee is dilute; most single laps stay under the signs threshold for all but tiny dogs. The dangerous forms are concentrated: used or fresh grounds, K-cup contents, espresso beans, diet pills, pre-workout powders, and caffeine tablets. A single 200 mg caffeine pill crosses 14 mg/kg for any dog under about 31 lb.
What NOT to do
Do not "walk it off": caffeine is absorbed fast and re-absorbed from the bladder, which is why vets may use IV fluids and repeated activated charcoal. Do not give anything to "calm the dog down" at home.