Suspect poisoning? US: ASPCA Poison Control (888) 426-4435 · UK: 01202 509 000 · Severe symptoms → nearest emergency vet now.

Is it dangerous if my 8-week-old puppy laps up some leftover lemon-lime soda from a glass on the floor?

Dogs · Food safety

Last reviewed: 2026-09-05 · Reference ranges: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline & Merck Veterinary Manual

Short answer

Yes, this is concerning for an 8-week-old puppy. Soda contains caffeine and a significant amount of sugar, both of which are hard on a young dog's small body and developing systems. Some sodas also contain artificial sweeteners like xylitol, which is extremely toxic — check the label to be sure. Watch your puppy closely over the next 24 hours for restlessness, rapid breathing, vomiting, or unusual lethargy. Contact your veterinarian if you notice any of these signs.

Soda / fizzy drinks — Food safety facts

Feed with care · Dogs · full breakdown on the linked food page

Sugar and often caffeine. Diet versions may contain xylitol — check the label before assuming.

Dogs and cats carry the same rating (Feed with care), so the notes below hold for either pet.

Soda / fizzy drinks is not poisonous to dogs, but it is easy to over-feed. Rich fat, salt or seasoning can bring on vomiting or diarrhoea within a day, and repeated large portions are a recognised trigger for pancreatitis.

If it ate some before you noticed, watch for vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, unusual tiredness or a painful, swollen abdomen over the next 24 hours. A one-off small amount in a healthy adult usually passes with water and rest; repeated exposure, a puppy or kitten, a senior, or a pet with an ongoing illness is a reason to call your vet the same day.

Why these cautions matter

Even a gram or two of xylitol can trigger a sharp drop in a dog's blood sugar, and larger exposures go on to damage the liver.

Caffeine overstimulates the heart and nervous system, and pets clear it so slowly that tremors and restlessness drag on far longer than they would in a person.

Added sugar brings empty calories, and over months that means weight gain and dental disease — both far harder to undo than to avoid.

The full verdict, portion guidance and serving notes are collected on the Soda / fizzy drinks food facts page.

Open the full food page: Soda / fizzy drinks food facts →