National Wine Day
National Wine Day, not to be mistaken for National Drink Wine Day, is celebrated annually on May 25th. The alcoholic beverage made from fermented grapes has influenced religion, relationships, and even played a significant role in history. We know how tempting it can be to want to share a glass with your pet after a long day, but we would like to highlight the important issue of alcohol toxicity in animals and offer a fun and safe-solution. So whether you prefer white, red, rose, or champagne, get your wine glasses out because today is the day to celebrate the alcoholic drink!
Alcohol is Toxic for Pets
Although alcohol toxicity in pets is rare, it is possible. As much as we would like our pets to be able to sit down and indulge in an alcoholic beverage with us, alcohol is very harmful to animals and can have severe consequences. Since cats and dogs are much smaller than humans, a small amount of alcohol can be much more dangerous to them than it is to us. Processes in the body that break down alcohol are not regulated in a dog the same way as in a person who drinks occasionally. Humans build up a tolerance to wine and other alcohols after responsible consumption over time. An animal’s kidneys are not designed to filter or process alcohol so even a small amount of wine or beer will cause severe physical problems.
Ethanol is the intoxicating agent found in beer, wine, and liquor, and is extremely dangerous to animals. That being said, make sure other products containing the chemical such as cleaning products, hand sanitizer, or mouthwash are properly locked away.
Additionally, some mixed drinks or alcohol-based cakes can be sweet and contain ingredients that are appealing to animals. It is important to keep these out of your pet’s reach, as some of these foods and drinks can have ingredients like chocolate, grapes, or raisins that are very dangerous to animals themselves. Certain flavorings like vanilla, almond, and cinnamon are also toxic to pets, so be sure to check the labels before allowing your pet to try something new. Grapes are among the top foods that are toxic to dogs, and regardless of if they are seeded or seedless, the sweet and juicy fruit will send your dog straight to the animal hospital.
Signs of Alcohol Poisoning in Pets
The signs of alcohol poisoning in pets are very similar to the signs in people. If your cat or dog has become intoxicated, you may notice gastrointestinal upset, vomiting or nausea, lethargy, and disorientation. Your pet might also have frequent urination, be very thirsty, and be unable to stand without falling over. In severe cases, you may notice paralysis, slow breathing, seizures, or loss of consciousness.
If you notice any of these symptoms, it is likely that your pet is experiencing alcohol poisoning. Call your veterinarian immediately and take your pet to the animal hospital as soon as possible. Your veterinarian will administer different treatments based upon your dog or cat’s symptoms and the lab results that will reveal how much alcohol your pet actually ingested.
Non-Alcoholic Wine for Cats and Dogs
If you really want to let your pet relax and indulge after a long day, we have a pet-friendly solution for you! Apollo Peak is a Denver-based company that makes drinks that look like wine for cats and dogs, but the beverages are completely alcohol and grape free. For cats, you can purchase varieties like Pinot Meow and MosCATo, both made with organic catnip, water, and then colored with organic beet juice. The “white wines” are colored with golden beets. Beet juice is non-toxic to animals, but you should always check with your veterinarian before giving them something like cat wine. Beet juice can change the color of your cat’s urine, which could cause problems for diabetic cats that require you to monitor their urine for health-related changes.
If you have a dog that you want to spoil, both ZinFanTAIL and CharDOGNay flavors are available. Like the wine for cats, neither version contains any alcohol or grapes, and the drinks get their color from beet juice. Instead of catnip, dog wine is made with a brewed peppermint or chamomile to calm your dog down and the canine wine is more of a relaxant. Again, always consult your veterinarian first, as chamomile in large amounts may be toxic for dogs.
Apollo Peak pet wine was featured on the popular television show Shark Tank in April of 2017. Since airing, Apollo Peak has produced over 100,000 bottles of wine all over the world. So treat your dog or cat to a glass of non-alcoholic wine because let’s face it, our pets have rough days to!
Celebrate National Wine Day and cheers your pet, but please make sure that the alcohol is out of your pet’s reach!
