Can Dogs Eat Beer?

Beer contains ethanol, and because dogs are so much smaller than people, even a modest amount can affect them far more strongly than the equivalent would affect an adult human. Alcohol depresses the central nervous system, so a dog that's had a meaningful amount of beer can become disoriented, wobbly, and lethargic in a way that looks a lot like a person who's had too much to drink. Left-out drinks at parties or barbecues are the most common source of accidental exposure, since a curious dog will happily lap up a puddle of spilled beer or finish an abandoned glass. A small lick usually isn't cause for alarm, but a dog that's consumed a real quantity needs to be kept warm and watched closely, with a vet call if symptoms progress beyond mild wobbliness.