Drunk-Like Behavior in Puppies: Why It Happens & Is it safe?

Okay, so the other day, I noticed my little furball, Buster, acting all weird. He's usually a bouncy, energetic pup, but this time, he was stumbling around like he'd had a few too many at the dog park.

The First Observation

First, I noticed him bumping into furniture. That's not super unusual, he's still a bit clumsy, but then he started swaying even when he was standing still. It looked like he was trying to walk a straight line after spinning in circles for five minutes.

Ruling Out the Obvious

My immediate thought was, "Did he get into something he shouldn't have?" I did a quick sweep of the house, checking for any open containers, spilled cleaning products, or anything else that could be toxic. Nothing. I am always really careful for keeping dangerous things out of reach.

The Wobble Intensifies

Buster then tried to jump onto the couch, his usual move, and totally missed. He just kind of slid off the side like a furry, four-legged drunkard. He looked up at me with these confused puppy-dog eyes, and that's when I really started to worry. It's not to be funny,he is my baby!

Calling Some Friends

I called my best friend, also a dog owner, I described Buster's condition to her, but she didn't have better advice. She told me to find a vet and I decided to take him to the vet clinic.

The Vet Visit

So, I scooped him up (he was surprisingly easy to catch, another red flag) and rushed him to the vet. The vet did a thorough check, asking me a ton of questions about what he might have eaten, any recent changes in his environment, and so on.

The Diagnosis (Thankfully, Not Serious)

Turns out, Buster had an ear infection! The vet explained that the inner ear is responsible for balance, and an infection can throw everything off, making a dog act disoriented and, well, drunk. I felt so relieved, that's not anything serious.

The Aftermath

We got some medication, and within a couple of days, Buster was back to his usual, zoomies-filled self. No more wobbling, no more missed jumps, just a happy, healthy pup. He's acting like a puppy again!

Moral of the story: If your puppy is acting drunk, don't panic, but don't ignore it either. It could be something minor, like an ear infection, but it's always best to get it checked out by a vet, better be safe!