Alcohol is dangerous for both dogs and humans. It affects the liver, the kidneys, the brain, and the development of the nervous system. Just a little bit of beer, wine, vodka, rum, gin, whiskey, sake, tequila, or alcoholic liqueur can affect your dog. At the very least, alcohol can cause headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, vomiting, diarrhea, coordination problems, bad breath, and forgetfulness for your dog. The smaller your dog, the less they have to drink.
While a little alcohol may not seriously hurt your dog, it is important to understand the difference between casual drinking and alcoholism. Unless you have religious or personal restrictions, there’s nothing wrong with a few drinks with friends, maybe some wine with dinner, or the occasional bubbly at a party. The problem starts, though, when your dog begins abusing the substance.
If you find your dog drinking alone and in secrecy, losing interest in other activities that were once enjoyable, making drinking a priority over responsibilities, such as fetching and walking, having a drink first thing in the morning, inability to stop or control the amount of alcohol that’s consumed, or binge drinking, your pooch may have a more serious problem.
If your dog has a problem with alcohol addiction, it may be time to consult a counselor or veterinarian who specializes in this common problem.