Eggnog for dogs – what the vet says
Whether it's Easter, Christmas, or just because: during family brunches or social gatherings, dog owners like to enjoy a glass of eggnog. However, this hustle and bustle in the house can quickly become too much for some four-legged friends. You might think: How about a little drink for the dog to calm him down? With the help of veterinarian and dog expert Dr. Julia Vietmeier, we'll explain whether you can give your dog eggnog and what effect it has.
Can dogs drink eggnog?
Giving dogs eggnog is a topic that is often criticized. The question is controversial—even among veterinarians and dog trainers. According to Julia (the veterinarian's last name), there is no simple recommendation on this issue. When we humans drink alcohol, it is broken down by the liver. In our furry friends, however, the process is different: it is not the liver but the lungs that are responsible for breaking down alcohol, which means that it takes much longer for our four-legged friends to sober up than it does for us. In addition, there are health risks if your dog drinks eggnog:
- Alcohol poisoning: Eggnog can also cause your dog to suffer from alcohol poisoning.
- Digestive problems: Ingredients in eggnog such as fat, lactose, and sugar are usually not tolerated by our four-legged friends and can lead to digestive problems such as diarrhea or vomiting. Your dog may also develop health problems if it has pre-existing conditions such as diabetes.
- Salmonella: Since the thick, yellow drink contains raw egg, there is a risk of salmonella infection from eggnog.
It is only okay to give your dog eggnog in small amounts, in exceptional situations, and in consultation with your veterinarian. By the way, you should never give alcohol to other animals such as cats!
Consequences of alcohol poisoning in dogs
It is not only humans who are at risk of alcohol poisoning when drinking large amounts of alcohol. Our four-legged friends can also suffer from alcohol poisoning, which in the worst case can lead to death! If you suspect that your dog is suffering from alcohol poisoning, take them to a veterinarian immediately. Your dog may show the following symptoms:
- low blood pressure,
- slowed pulse,
- hypothermia,
- hypoglycemia,
- urinary incontinence,
- apathy,
- unsteady gait,
- rigidity of the body, and
- coma.
Veterinarian Dr. Julia Vietmeier:
"Incidentally, dogs can also suffer from alcohol poisoning without being deliberately given a drink: if they eat fermented fruit such as windfall or products containing fresh baking yeast such as raw dough. This can then ferment in the stomach and turn into ethanol—in other words, alcohol. This can not only lead to poisoning in our beloved pets, but also to volume overload in the stomach due to gas formation. Owners should be aware of all the dangers of alcohol and how their dogs can become poisoned before knowingly giving them alcohol!"
What effect does egg liqueur have on dogs?
Proponents claim that egg liqueur has a positive effect on dogs: egg liqueur is said to reduce stress in exciting situations such as New Year's Eve. The alcohol is said to have a calming effect, taking away your furry friend's fear of fireworks on New Year's Eve and thus making the situation more bearable for them.
Important: Even if it sounds like a simple trick to get your dog drunk, only give them eggnog after consulting your vet and calculating the dosage! It can be helpful, for example, if your dog suffers from severe panic attacks and shows physical reactions such as vomiting. However, if your four-legged friend is just feeling a little unwell, a safe place, distraction, and your company may be enough to calm them down. This is because research is still being conducted into whether alcohol really relieves anxiety or just has a sedative effect.
How much eggnog can my dog have? – Dosage
Just like humans, every dog reacts differently to alcohol. So keep a close eye on your furry friend when you let them lick small amounts of eggnog and take them to the vet if they show any signs of poisoning. However, if you don't notice any difference after giving them the total amount calculated by the vet, be sure to avoid giving them another dose! An overdose could be fatal for your pet.
The amount of egg liqueur to be used as a sedative for your very anxious and excited dog depends on your four-legged friend's body weight and the alcohol content of the egg liqueur. Veterinarian Ralph Rückert has developed a formula that can be used to calculate the amount of egg liqueur to give your dog. Despite this calculation, which only serves as a basis (the information is provided without guarantee and use is at your own risk), be sure to get a recommendation from your veterinarian!
Alternatives to eggnog for dogs
If you don't want to give your furry friend alcoholic drinks such as eggnog to calm them down when they are anxious, there are other ways to help your dog in stressful situations besides our 10 tips for anxious dogs on New Year's Eve. To be sure not to harm their four-legged friends, dog owners can resort to these alternative methods:
Herbal preparations: Herbal remedies such as valerian or passion flower have a calming effect. In powder or drop form, you can simply mix them into your pet's food.
Pheromones: These are produced by the mother dog for her puppies to make them feel safe and calm. There are sprays that dog owners can use to spray artificially produced pheromones to achieve this effect on their dog.
Behavioral therapy: Behavioral therapy can help to relieve your dog's anxiety and agitation in the long term. A professional dog trainer will transform the anxiety-inducing stimulus into a positive experience.
Medication from the vet: In cases of extreme panic, your vet can prescribe medication to relieve your dog's anxiety.
The best therapy or option for your dog depends on many factors, such as their health, age, and the severity of their anxiety. Work with your vet to decide what is best for your pet.
Conclusion: It is clear that alcohol in large quantities is harmful to your dog and can even be fatal. Therefore, there is no specific recommendation to give your pet eggnog. However, in very low doses, it can provide relief for severely frightened dogs in exceptional situations such as New Year's Eve. If you want to give your furry friend eggnog, be sure to discuss it with your veterinarian first! They can also suggest alternatives that your dog will tolerate better. Do you have a fearful dog at home? How do you manage to calm them down? Feel free to share your tips with us!