Can Dogs Eat Coffee Beans? What You Need To Know

Have you ever wondered if caffeine affects dogs? Can dogs eat coffee beans? Here is what you need to know to keep your pup safe.

Whether you’re worried about your dog eating coffee beans or coffee grounds, this guide is for you. Keep reading, and you’ll learn the symptoms of caffeine toxicity and why you should keep both caffeinated beverages and coffee beans out of your dog’s reach.

Coffee beans in a coffee grinder, burlap bag, and scoop.

For ultimate pet safety, I recommend consulting with your vet about all the questions you have about your dog eating coffee beans.

What Are Coffee Beans

Coffee beans are the seeds of a fruit. The coffee plant produces coffee cherries. Inside the cherries are the seeds and that is what coffee roasters use to produce roasted beans that we turn into amazing cups of coffee.

Ground Coffee Vs Coffee Beans

This is a personal preference. Some people think their coffee tastes better if they buy roasted coffee beans and grind it at home. Others don’t notice a difference. There is just as much caffeine in both beans and grounds.

Are Coffee Beans Really Beans

No, coffee beans are not considered beans. Beans are classified as legumes, which are fruits and seeds inside of a pod (like green beans).

The fruit in the coffee plant doesn’t grow in a pod and the coffee bean is actually the pit of the fruit. They are very different from beans.

Can Dogs Eat Coffee Beans

Dog owners, it is not a good idea for dogs to eat coffee beans – even just one. Your dog could suffer serious side effects if they consume too much caffeine.

Not only that but the coffee bean itself could get stuck in your dog’s gastrointestinal tract.

The severe symptoms your dog could experience are the same for any caffeine they ingest, no matter which coffee products, sports drinks, or other caffeinated food they eat.

Are Coffee Beans Bad For Dogs

Yes, coffee beans are very bad for dogs. In mild cases, it might make your dog vomit. But if your dog eats a toxic dose of beans and caffeine, it could lead to abnormal heart rhythm or seizures.

It doesn’t take large amounts to affect your dog. Even a little bit can make them very sick. This is why you should keep a close eye on your dog and not let them eat beans that fall on the ground or dig in the trash and try to eat a coffee pod.

How Much Caffeine Can Dogs Eat

Caffeine affects a dog’s heart. It raises blood pressure and causes cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat).

The answer depends on the size of your dog. For a 15-pound small dog, three teaspoons of instant coffee grounds could cause mild symptoms and 10 teaspoons might cause severe signs.

For reference, there is 1 mg of caffeine in one teaspoon of instant coffee.

Here’s how much caffeine is in different things your dog might eat:

1 teaspoon of instant coffee grounds – 1 mg
1 coffee bean – 6 mg
Energy Drinks – 74 mg caffeine in one AMP Energy drink

Tea bags are different because it depends on which kind of tea it is. Generally, most black tea bags have 2.2 mg of caffeine in them but they produce a lot more than that in a cup of tea.

How Much Coffee Can Dogs Have

Pet owners, the amount of coffee your furry best friend can have depends on the weight of your dog. If your furry friend is a large dog, they can probably lick a drip of coffee off the floor without any issues.

The amount of caffeine in a cup of coffee could be fatal for smaller dogs.

According to the American College of Veterinary Pharmacists, a toxic dose is 63 mg per pound.

So, one coffee bean won’t give your dog seizures, but it is still a good idea to keep them away from your pet.

Can Dogs Have Decaf Coffee

Even though there isn’t any caffeine content, there could still be trace amounts. Be careful with caffeine around your dog and try not to let them ever ingest or drink any caffeine.

Symptoms of Caffeine Poisoning

Depending on how much your dog ate, symptoms can show up as soon as 30 minutes after eating or drinking coffee and can last as long as 12 hours.

According to VCA Animal Hospitals, caffeine affects a dog’s central nervous system.

Restlessness
Vomiting
Increase in heart rate and restlessness
Increase in blood pressure
Increase in body temperature
In more extreme cases, your dog could have tremors and seizures.

And if your dog really ate too much, in severe cases, it could lead to a coma.

Pet Poison Helpline

If you think your dog ate coffee beans or drank energy drinks, please call the Pet Poison Helpline.

Pet Poison Helpline – 855-746-7661 (A $75 incident fee applies)
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center – 888-426-4435 (Consultation fee may apply)

You should also contact your vet immediately if you notice any of the symptoms listed above.

What Happens If A Dog Eats a Coffee Bean

If it’s just a single coffee bean, you probably won’t see any reactions. But you should still keep a close eye on your dog and watch for signs of toxicity. If your has muscle tremors or is breathing really fast, seek veterinary advice immediately.

If your dog needs more help, they might have to receive intravenous fluids from their veterinarian.

Final Thoughts

One of the best things you can do for your dog is to keep all sources of caffeine away from them. Teach your dog to respond to the command “drop it” and make sure they don’t eat things they shouldn’t. Caffeine is very dangerous for dogs. Don’t let them near it.

More Dog Food Resources

Here are some more articles about human foods and grains dogs can and can’t eat:

Find lots of articles on food dogs can and can’t eat here on Spoiled Hounds!

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