Many pet owners share both their food and beverages with their dogs. While it’s true, that dogs need to stay hydrated like us. But can Pugs drink soda, and will it hurt them if you give your buddy a taste?
Can Pugs Soda?
No, soft drinks are high in sugar and can lead to weight gain and even obesity. Soda also contains caffeine, which is poisonous to most pets. If your pup takes a few 1-2 licks of your coke from the coffee table, won’t cause any issues. Any significant consumption can cause an elevated heart rate, hypertension, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythms, and seizures which are all symptoms of caffeine poisoning.
Pugs are curious by nature and will want to eat or drink whatever you’re drinking. If your dog isn’t trained properly, they’ll likely eat and drink foods they’re not supposed to. Chances are throughout your lifetime, your Pug will eat or drink something they shouldn’t.
If they get a taste of something sweet like soda, they’ll likely beg harder and sneak a lick when you’re not looking. Unlike us, dogs don’t know what foods and drinks are not good for them, it’s up to you as the pet owner to know which human foods and drinks are safe for your four-legged friend.
Now let’s take a closer look at why soda is not safe for canines and what to do if your dog drinks some.
Coke Nutritional Facts
20 fl. Ounces of Coke contains or one bottle:
| Nutrients | Quantity |
| Sodium | 75 mg |
| Calories | 240 |
| Protein | 0 grams |
| Sugars | 65 grams |
(source)
Coke contains a sweetener derived from high fructose corn syrup, which plays a huge part in the obesity problem you see today.
All this basically means is there is too much sugar, and it contains no nutritional value.
Sodas With The Most Sugars
There are literally hundreds of different sodas on the market from Coke, Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, etc. Some people believe if they drink a Diet Coke or Coke Zero, it’s not as bad for their dog, because it contains less caffeine than coffee.
While soda does contain less caffeine than coffee, but all sodas should be avoided. Below are the soft drinks that contain the most sugar.
| Soda | Sugar Quantity |
| Pepsi | 41 grams |
| Pepsi Vanilla | 41 grams |
| Sun Drop | 45 grams |
| Root Beer | 45 grams |
| Mtn Dew | 46 grams |
| Surge | 56 grams |
| Crush Pineapple | 51 grams |
(source)
Other drinks and foods that are high in caffeine are coffee, chocolate, and some ice creams.
Will Pugs Drink Soda?
Pugs and other animals love the taste of soda. There is no shortage of videos of Pugs drinking Pepsi, Coke, or other types of soda.
Just because your dog drinks it doesn’t mean it’s good for them. If you think about it soft drinks are not even good for us.
Your dog only requires fresh clean water to stay hydrated.
Is Soda Safe for Pugs?
No, most carbonated beverages contain caffeine, that alone makes them a big no-no for your four-legged friend.
Whether your dog drank soda accidentally or intentionally, it can make them sick. Signs of toxicity can occur with the consumption of 9 mg/ pound of caffeine.
More severe symptoms can occur when your pup consumes 20 mg/pound of caffeine. A pet that consumes 75/mg/ pound, (about a 20 ounce bottle) can experience seizures and possibly even death.
A small dog breed like a Pug won’t be able to handle as much caffeine as a larger dog.
Dogs also can’t process foods the same way we can. Our organs are bigger and different from a canine.
For example, a human stomach, liver, small intestine, large intestine, etc are larger than a dog’s and these are the organs in our digestive system that are used to digest foods, liquids, etc.
The Dangers of Soda for Pugs
There are many dangers that a dog can face when allowed to drink soda. The main one being caffeine poisoning. Signs and symptoms usually occur within 1-2 hours of ingestion.
Symptoms can range from excessive thirst, urination, panting, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, abnormal heart rhythm, and tremors.
Many people think if they give their pet just a small amount, that they will be fine. After all, it can’t hurt if you stop them before they reach the toxic consumption point.
However, as you can see from the tables above, all soft drinks contain high amounts of sugar, which can cause havoc for your dog’s teeth, and obesity. Plus, too much sugar can lead to your dog having diabetes as it does for us.
Can Soda Kill Pugs?
Yes, any kind of soda can kill dogs. The simple sugars and calorie content alone can cause canine obesity. Obesity can shorten your dog’s lifespan by up to two years or more.
It also makes them more susceptible to develop diabetes, cancer, hypertension, heart disease, and mellitus. The excess weight can also cause osteoarthritis and cause a faster degeneration of the hips and joints.
What if My Pug Accidentally Drinks Soda?
If your Pug takes a few licks or drinks a small amount, monitor them closely. In most cases, your dog will be fine, but if you see any adverse symptoms or behavior, get them to the veterinarian immediately.
Don’t forget to take the empty can or bottle with you to and let the veterinarian know how much your dog drank.
Treatment options will vary from administering active charcoal to bind the drug to the stomach. They will probably try to induce vomiting to rid the stomach of the soda if your pet is stable.
If the veterinarian is dealing with a more severe case they will likely administer medication to control the seizures. Your pet may have to be hospitalized for several hours or days, depending on how severe the poisoning.
The sooner your dog can get treatment, the better chance they have to survive.
Final Word on Giving Pugs Soda
Your Pug is a part of your family and it’s natural to want to share your foods and drinks with them.
Never share your soda with your Pug, no matter how much they beg. There are just too many side effects from caffeine poisoning, obesity, diabetes, and dental problems that can plague your pooch.
It’s best to train your pup to leave your foods alone, so you won’t have to worry about them accidentally eating or drinking something poisonous. When they are properly trained, you don’t have to worry about them accidentally ingesting something they shouldn’t.
Your dog is allowed a certain number of calories per day, it’s up to you to make them count, with foods that are good for them.
Hydration is vital to your pooch, but as long as they have access to fresh clean water, they don’t need anything else!