Risks
- The coffee plant produces several toxins, including falcarinol and triterpenic glycosides. While these harmful agents are found in the foliage and bark, the roots contain the highest concentrations of toxins.
- Contact with the coffee plant can irritate a dog’s skin, mouth, and throat, leading to a burning sensation, blisters, rashes, and excessive drooling. This discomfort can make eating and drinking difficult for dogs.
- The poisonous compounds in the coffee plant also act as stomach irritants, potentially causing stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea. In some cases, these toxins may affect the heart and central nervous system, leading to arrhythmia, depression, and seizures.
