This content was reviewed by veterinarian Dr. JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM.
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Have you ever thought about sharing your beverages, adult or otherwise, with your dog? Fresh water, of course, is the best way to keep your dog hydrated, but what else can dogs drink besides water? You might be surprised at the number of human beverages that are no-gos. Let’s find out: what can dogs drink besides water?
Should Dogs Drink Anything Besides Water?
The short answer is no. Water should be your pup’s primary source of hydration. If you’re really fixated on having your canine enjoy the occasional happy hour by your side with something other than plain water, check out these approved canine fun drinks.
There are some dog-safe options for your pup’s own happy hour, but the bottom line is that water really is the best drink for your dog. If you want to occasionally splash some juice or gravy into their water, that’s fine, but trust us – your pup will be just as happy getting an approved canine treat to enjoy with their water as they will taking a sip of your beverage.
Always remember, our dogs’ bodies aren’t built the same way as ours, so they can’t handle the same levels of sugar, caffeine, and other ingredients that are safe for us.
Too much sugar or other dangerous ingredients can cause dog health issues, leading to emergency vet visits. Pet insurance could help cover unexpected visits that are not associated with preexisting conditions.
What Should Dogs NOT Drink?
There are some beverages and liquids you should never give to your pup. These are dangerous and, in some cases, very toxic to your pup.
Is Coffee Or Tea Safe For Dogs?
Your morning Joe is a big no, as is tea. Dogs can experience caffeine poisoning fairly easily. Because they typically weigh less than humans, dogs can have negative reactions to even small amounts of caffeine.
Can Dogs Drink Juice?
Most juices contain added sweeteners and artificial flavors and coloring, which aren’t healthy for dogs. Most whole juices are safe in small quantities — for example, letting your dog lick the plate after you cut oranges. Talk with your vet about which whole juices would be safe for your dog in small quantities.
The use of artificial sweeteners in juice and juice products is also a concern. Many of these, including xylitol, which is sometimes labeled as birch sugar, are very toxic to dogs.
Warning: Never give your dog the juice from grapes because they’re toxic for dogs. Grape juice may cause kidney failure.
Is Milk Okay For Dogs To Drink?
It might seem intuitive that dogs (and other mammals) can drink milk because they nurse on their mother’s milk after birth. However, most dogs become lactose intolerant once they mature and reach adulthood. Their bodies have a tough time digesting lactose and drinking too much milk can result in diarrhea, vomiting, and gassiness. A little lap of milk is probably fine in very small doses, but watch your pet after he drinks milk to see if he develops these symptoms.
Can Dogs Have Lemonade?
The citric acid in lemonade can cause an upset stomach in dogs. Also, lemonade contains a lot of sugar, which isn’t good for dogs. Blood sugar can rise much easier in dogs than in people, causing immediate and long-term health problems.
Can Dogs Drink Soda?
Like all caffeinated and sugary drinks, soda is off-limits for dogs. While a little sip likely won’t hurt him, sharing more of your soda can elevate your dog’s blood sugar too high and also cause caffeine toxicity. Additionally, many sodas use artificial sweeteners, which are dangerous for your pup.
Can Dogs Drink Beer (Or Wine)?
A huge red flag here. Giving dogs beer, wine, or any other alcoholic beverage is no laughing matter. Alcohol is extremely toxic to dogs. According to the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center, it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, decreased coordination, central nervous system depression, difficulty breathing, tremors, abnormal blood acidity, coma, and even death.
Besides grapes and alcohol, there are many other human foods you should NEVER give your pets. Be sure to read our article that covers foods that are toxic to dogs.
Talk to your vet if you’re unsure whether a particular human drink is safe or unsafe for your dog. Also, even if you plan to give your dog only a little sip of milk or juice, check with your vet first to make sure that it’s safe to do so.
Healthy Drinks For Dogs
What can dogs drink? If you want your canine to be able to partake in your after-work happy hour, try these safe and healthy doggie drink options.
Wolf Spring Canine Drink Review
Formulated by veterinarians, this Wolf Spring drink contains a lot of healthy ingredients for your pup. This calming formula has ingredients in it to help with excessive barking, separation anxiety, and more. So, in addition to being a fun flavor, it has mental health benefits too.
K9 Power Performance Drink Mix Review
K9 Power’s powdered drink mix contains energy-boosting and hydrating ingredients that are great for active dogs. It includes electrolytes, low-fat chicken protein, coconut oil, magnesium, alpha lipoic acid (supports reduced inflammation), and other vitamins and minerals. Simply mix it with water and serve your dog this healthy alternative to plain water.
Price: $41.42 ($2.59 / Ounce) for 1 pound
JONES Craft Soda For Dogs Review
JONES Craft Soda for Dogs is a fun beverage crafted just for your pup. The savory soda uses human-grade ingredients and is noncarbonated. Sodas come in three meaty flavors: turkey, chicken, and beef. All three have added glucosamine and chondroitin to support joint health. Perfect to quench thirst, top your pup’s regular food, or mix in with medicine.
Price: $19.16 per four-pack of 12-oz bottles
Adult Beverage Dog Toys Review
If you want to enjoy happy hour with your pup, there are some really fun “adult beverage” dog toys, like these: Heinie Sniff’n squeaker beer bottles, the Silly Squeakers Jose Perro liquor bottle, and the Silly Squeakers Grrrobert Slobbery Drooler’s Selection wine bottle. You can keep your pup entertained with these toys while you sip your drink. They also make fun gifts for your friends and family.
Other Dog Safe Beverages
Dogs can drink a few other things you might have around the house. It’s vital to read the labels of anything you want to feed your pup and look for a dog-safe or dog-specific product when possible.
Bone Broth
Bone broth, for example, is a tasty treat full of nutrition for your pup. It can be made from various animal proteins, including beef, salmon, and chicken. The broth contains plenty of flavors but is also a great source of chondroitin, glucosamine, the amino acid glycine, and hyaluronic acid, which support bone health. Bone broth doesn’t replace your pup’s water or regular food, but it can add a nice boost to their bowl.
Coconut Water
While it should only be an occasional treat, coconut water can be a refreshing beverage for your pup. Natural coconut water is full of electrolytes, antioxidants, and nutrients like vitamin C, calcium, and potassium. Your dog may like the taste and get a boost of energy. The water is different from coconut milk. The water is the clear liquid found inside the coconut, and the milk is coconut flesh blended with water. The milk is much higher in fat and should not be given to dogs.
Almond Milk
Almond milk is a dairy-free product made from almonds, water, and salt. As an occasional treat almond milk is ok for your pup in very small amounts. Almonds contain unsaturated fats, antioxidants, and fiber, among other nutrients. The unsweetened varieties are safe. Stay away from anything with added sugar, sweeteners, or additives.
Drinks That Your Dog Should Avoid Or Consume Sparingly (Infographic)
Without question, water is the best drink for your dog. Here’s a handy guide you can reference in the future about which human drinks are unsafe for dogs. Always check with your veterinarian before giving your dog anything other than plain, fresh water to drink.
How Does A Dog Drink, Anyway?
Do you ever wonder how your dog can get enough liquid with just his tongue? Watch how Neo, a Danish-Swedish farm dog, drinks in “Slow Mo Time.”
Can A Dog Drink Too Much?
Dogs can drink too much water. If they drink excessively over the course of a few hours, it can lead to water intoxication. Drinking too much water can cause the level of sodium, or salt, in the bloodstream to drop drastically. This creates an unsafe situation for your pup. A low level of sodium can cause neurological damage, as well as swelling of cells called hyponatremia. It can lead to brain damage and even death in severe cases.
Drinking too much water too quickly also raises a dog’s risk for canine bloat.
Best Drink Accessories For Your Dog
Now that you know what is safe for your dog to drink, you can get them a sturdy water bowl or container to drink it out of. Water fountains for dogs are an entertaining way to make hydration fun for dogs. Plus, they provide your dog with fresh, filtered water and relaxing white noise in the home. And be sure to check out these dog water bottles that are perfect for drinking on the go.
Why Trust Canine Journal?
Sally has over 10 years of experience researching hundreds of pet foods and drinks to determine their safety and nutritional value for our four-legged friends. She’s part of a team of dedicated canine professionals who all test and research the best pet products, not only for our own pups but for all of our readers.
Tagged With: Hydration, Reviewed By Dr. Pendergrass, DVM
