A small dog standing by a capped bottle of alcohol outside.

How Much Alcohol Can A 15 Lb Dog Take?

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When it comes to dogs and alcohol, they should never mix. However, it can be helpful to know how much alcohol a dog can take if they accidentally get into some. So, how much alcohol can a 15 lb dog take?

The lethal dose of alcohol in dogs is 5.5-7.9 g/kg of 100% ethanol. Thus, for a 15 lb dog, the lethal dose of alcohol would be at a minimum 37 g. Still, dogs should never be given alcohol, no matter how much they can survive. This number can also be less depending on other factors such as the general health of the dog, emptiness of the stomach, and age.

Should Dogs Ever Have Alcohol?

No, you should never allow your dogs to have even a drop of alcohol. Even little amounts of alcohol can cause issues in dogs such as with their stomach, breathing, liver, and more. Dogs can also absorb alcohol through their skin, so you shouldn’t use it to treat wounds either, although it might serve as a possible tick removal method in an emergency situation. Still, we don’t recommend that unless absolutely necessary and you have no other options.

If you suspect your dog has gotten into any alcohol, we recommend contacting your vet or animal poison control right away.

Can Alcohol Attract Dogs?

Alcohol by itself isn’t particularly attractive to dogs. That doesn’t mean you should leave it around for them to get curious about though. Plus, if you mix the alcohol in with sweeteners and other ingredients that mask the alcohol and give off a sweet smell, that can attract a dog.

What Are The Symptoms Of Alcohol Poisoning In Dogs?

A dog laying on its owner's lap, possibly sick.
Hopefully, this one’s past the worst of it!

Initial symptoms will include hypersalivation, vomiting, and diarrhea, which will happen in about 30 to 60 minutes. In time, you will notice your dog acting disoriented, exhibiting trembling muscles, difficulty breathing, hypothermia, and cardiac issues.

If the alcohol poisoning is even more severe, your dog may experience seizures, hypoglycemia, loss of consciousness, and coma. Death can also occur due to respiratory issues.

If A 15 Lb Dog Accidentally Got Into Alcohol, How Much Could It Take?

Keeping in mind all dogs are different as well as situations, a 15 lb dog can take 37 g of alcohol. Still, this amount will cause severe symptoms within your dog and, like any amount of alcohol ingestion or absorption, you should treat your dog immediately.

In Conclusion: How Much Alcohol Can A 15 Lb Dog Take?

In conclusion, even if a dog can survive an amount of alcohol, it can’t be said enough that dogs and alcohol should never mix in any way, shape, or form.

So, what do you think? Have you ever had a scare with your dog and alcohol? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Alejandro
Alejandro
Alejandro Sanchez is a veterinarian who works as a conservationist. He proactively participates in a wide range of conservation and sustainable development projects. He has multidisciplinary experience and academic training; he also has strong skills in communication, multicultural relations, and technical knowledge of agricultural issues. As a recent dog owner, he is inspired to communicate his veterinary knowledge to a broader audience to support other dog owners in being responsible dog parents and thus increase dogs’ wellbeing too.