BBC Focus Magazine

[Croatguy]

Why do some dogs drink alcohol? I know the majority of dogs are put off by just the smell, yet I have seen some dogs lap up beer like its water. How is this possible?

[The Beige Avenger]

they probably become accustomed to it, just like us.

Is it usually bigger dogs? So they don't die from alcohol poisoning...

[Croatguy]

Yeah it is usually the bigger dogs. Usually those dogs that live with the lower class in southern USA in trailers (St Bernards, German Shephards, Sheepdogs). But how do the dogs become accustomed in the first place? How do they overcome that initial strong scent with their sensitive noses? I dont think any other animals are able to consume alcohol.

[Flakkarin]

I'll never forget as a kid seeing a horse drink a pint. I guess they overcome the grossness same way as we do... like, why the hell would anyone smoke a cigarette? But for some people, they just try it once, and then find they like it...
I've actually also seen my old pet hamster a bit tiddly after eating an 'over-ripe' apple - so maybe to some animals it still smells enough like the original fruit!

[M Paul Lloyd]

Pigs can get a bit tipsy on windfall apples, obviously it doesn't take much, but don't forget alcohol is a toxin so don't let them overdo it.

[Shadowwolf]

Yeah it is usually the bigger dogs. Usually those dogs that live with the lower class in southern USA in trailers (St Bernards, German Shephards, Sheepdogs). But how do the dogs become accustomed in the first place? How do they overcome that initial strong scent with their sensitive noses? I dont think any other animals are able to consume alcohol.

Dogs will eat and drink a great many things and a good deal of alcohol is bereft of any strong smell to bother their sensitive noses. I have a small dog and she would drink beer if she could — she did try to partake of a bigger dogs drop of Guinness when out — and she does try to eat and drink a whole host of crap that she encounters in the world.

Other animals are also able to consume alcohol as those above have pointed out and to add to them are parrots, they be known to partake of fermented sugar cane that drops from departing vehicles and ferments rather fast.

Usually those dogs that live with the lower class in southern USA in trailers.

Now I believe that was just made up.

[The Beige Avenger]

dogs eat poop too.

A sweeping general statement... I hate to be labelled a doggist!

They also will happily eat through a bar of chocolate that can make them seriously ill

[Flakkarin]

Yup, I've heard my nan's beagles to eat a whole pound of butter from the fridge, a kilo of chocolate and a whole rabbit.
Why do they stuff themselves like that? Is it the same reason humans do - 'trained' to eat like crazy when food is available because it's usually scarce?

[The Beige Avenger]

I'm assuming it's a mammalian trait to do with dairy content and fat content... It might have a similar narcotic effect to them as it does to us.

...as for the poop though, that might have something to do with finding out about your neighbours; like sifting through trash done by some "journalists". I've never fancied eating a jobbie regardless of how hungry I am

[Croatguy]

"Usually those dogs that live with the lower class in southern USA in trailers."

Now I believe that was just made up.

No, just an observation from movies which feature southern characters and their dogs.

Okay, beer is one thing, but about whiskey? Could any dog drink whiskey or bourbon?

[The Beige Avenger]

sure they could...

They might not want to but i'm sure they could... they might also die... but so do people.

[Shadowwolf]

No, just an observation from movies which feature southern characters and their dogs.

Ahh, then that would be yes given that movies are fiction and not an accurate reflection on reality, certainly not for assertions that allowing dogs to imbibe beer is a peculiar trait of the lower, trailer inhabiting class of the US which are now southern to boot. The last experience I can recall of providing grog to dog was via a well off pilot of Scottish extraction.

Okay, beer is one thing, but about whiskey? Could any dog drink whiskey or bourbon?

We have known dogs to imbibe beer, I would suppose that it is possible that some might also imbibe spirits though their harsher effects would suggest against. However we could start a long, long list by asking of things a dog could drink or eat, such would be a tad pointless speculation though.

[Jamie]

My dog likes beer, but it's not the alcohol; he seems to like alcohol free too. And, no, I don't give the dog pints!

Animals that seek out alcohol include the Pentailed Treeshrew:

The Pen-tailed Treeshrew is one of seven known wild mammals that chronically consume alcohol. A study of the treeshrew in Malaysia found that it spends several hours (approx. 2 hours) consuming the equivalent of 10 to 12 glasses of wine, with an alcohol content of up to 3.8%, every night drinking naturally-fermented nectar of the bertam palm. Despite consuming relatively large amounts of alcohol, the Pen-tailed Treeshrew does not become intoxicated. Measurements of a biomarker of ethanol breakdown suggest that they may be metabolizing it by a pathway that is not used as heavily by humans.[4]

[Hyrulian Outlaw]

There are actually quite a few stories of various animals having the odd tipple. Iv'e seen several news reports including but not limeted to - a rampaging elephant that destroyed a house whilst drunk (later killed by authorities) and also theres some monkeys that inhabit a tourist site in asia somewhere, quite alot of them regularly steal alcoholic drinks from tourists. Theres also a few, around the same percentage as humans, who are tee total and chose not to imbibe. Sorry no links but googleist amoung you should be able to track the stories down.

As for dogs drinking, when I was a lad I had a border collie (R.I.P Sally ) who would steal booze from glasses left unattended. But the this is the same dogs that had 3 stomach operations for eating stones and conkers (spikey shell and all)!

[M Paul Lloyd]

Ah but Borders will eat anything left unattended so they will.