Pet Toxin Reference

Alcohol

Severe
Dogs, Cats
Often within 30 minutes to a few hours
Ethanol
Act now: Remove access immediately. Save the package, label, or plant photo. Call your veterinarian or a poison service right away; do not wait for symptoms. Go to an emergency clinic immediately if any signs are present or if a large/known exposure occurred.
Related Toxins

Quick Facts

Common Sources
Beer, wine, liquor, cocktails, fermented fruit, uncooked bread dough, alcohol-based products
Highest Risk
Concentrated forms or large ingestions pose highest risk
Category
Food
Early Signs
Vomiting, wobbliness, sleepiness
Emergency Signs
Trouble breathing, coma, seizures, dangerously low body temperature
Call Your Vet
Call as soon as exposure is suspected, even if your pet seems normal.

Triage & Next Steps

Why this is dangerous
Alcohol depresses the brain and can also lower body temperature and blood sugar. Pets can be poisoned by drinks, desserts, or fermenting products.
Go to ER immediately if
Go now for collapse, repeated vomiting, tremors, seizures, trouble breathing, marked weakness, severe drooling, pale gums, trouble urinating, or any rapidly worsening signs.
What not to do
Do not induce vomiting, give milk/oil/bread, or try home remedies unless a veterinarian specifically tells you to.
Prevention
Keep human foods out of reach, use closed trash bins, warn guests and children, and check ingredient labels before sharing any treat.

This tool provides rapid educational guidance and is not a substitute for direct veterinary advice. If exposure is suspected, contact your veterinarian or an emergency clinic promptly.

Reviewed by
Andrew Rocco, DVM

Dr. Rocco is a practicing small animal veterinarian with experience in emergency and urgent care medicine. PetToxin.com was built to give pet owners clear, evidence-based information about common toxin exposures.