The ethanol in any alcoholic drink — beer, wine or spirits — is dangerous to pets even in small amounts. Far less alcohol than a human dose can cause CNS depression, low blood sugar, low body temperature and metabolic acidosis, and severe cases can progress to coma and fatal respiratory failure. Smaller animals are affected far more severely by the same amount, so keep spilled drinks and alcohol-containing foods (rum cake, brandy-filled chocolates) out of reach too.