Capri Sun is so refreshing. It’s absolutely delicious too – and there are so many flavors to try. But can, or should, we give some to our dogs? Are they able to enjoy it too? Here is what you must know.
So, can dogs drink Capri Sun? Dogs should not be given Capri Sun, nor should they regularly drink it. While a small amount should not cause any immediate issues, in higher amounts it could cause digestive upset, including diarrhea. The high sugar content could also cause blood sugar issues, metabolic changes, and weight gain if too regularly consumed.
There are actually a few cute pictures and videos of dogs drinking Capri Sun circulating on the internet.
Neverthless, offering this juice is not really a very good idea – as we shall soon see why.
But like most things, a lot has to do with circumstance and context.
A much larger, active dog, who is dehydrated and running around in the hot summer sun may do better to have a small amount than nothing at all.
At the same time, it just cannot be justified to offer a small lap dog Capri Sun that has access to a full water bowl instead.
And then there is the type, and flavor of Capri Sun you offer – which is crucial and explored below.
Neverthless, it’s important to remember this – Capri Sun should not be given the majority of the time.
You should always seek out alternatives.
And here is why.
Why Dogs Should Not Drink Capri Sun
Dogs should not drink Capri Sun due to the high sugar content; which occurs both through the fruit juice content and the additional refined sugar that is added. Equally, Capri Sun that contains citric acid can cause stomach issues, especially in sensitive dogs.
On the face of it, if we take a look at the ingredients of the original orange flavor Capri Sun, it looks pretty good:
Spring Water, Fruit Juices from Concentrate 12% (Orange 7%, Lemon, Lime), Sugar, Antioxidant (Ascorbic Acid), Natural Orange Flavourings
But that would not be a fair analysis – we need to look at other flavors too.
Here is the ingredient list for Capri Sun Tropical Punch:
Filtered Water, Organic White Grape Juice Concentrate, Organic Apple Juice Concentrate, Organic Orange Juice Concentrate, Organic Pineapple Juice Concentrate, Citric Acid, Natural Flavor
And again for the Apple flavor:
Filtered Water, Organic Apple Juice From Concentrate, Citric Acid, Natural Flavor
Three of the most popular flavors, and those you likely have too.
Now, when we take a look at the ingredient list we can see why this is not a suitable drink.
High Sugar Content
First and foremost is the high sugar content.
And while some of the sugar is coming from the inclusion of natural fruit juices, sugar is also added in some of the flavors – such as the original Orange.
Nevertheless, while a small amount of sugar should not be a concern and can be offered in moderation – too much can cause serious issues – both short-term and long-term.
In the short term, your dog may experience highs and lows (hyperactivity followed by depression), agitation, and an upset stomach.
Here is what Ari Zabell, DVM DABVP has to say on the matter:
“All animals rely on the bacteria and other microorganisms in our gut to help us digest the food we eat. A higher dose of sugar than our pets are used to can upset the balance of those micro-organisms and lead to diarrhea – sometimes explosive, sometimes bloody, and sometimes even with vomiting.”
In the long-term, and if consumed regularly, your dog may develop cavities, experience weight gain, or suffer from metabolic issues such as diabetes.
Citric Acid
Citric acid is an organic compound, often found in citrus fruits.
It is also sometimes used as a preservative, as is the case with most flavors of Capri Sun.
However, Citric Acid can be very toxic to animals if consumed in excess and may require veterinary support and care depending on how your dog responds.
Grape
Lastly, some flavors of Capri Sun include grapes.
And grapes are highly toxic to dogs.
“Breed, sex, or age of a dog has no influence on the risk of being affected, and since there is no proven amount that is safe, you shouldn’t be giving your pup grapes or raisins at all.”
So, you must not purchase or offer Capri Sun that includes grape to your dog in any amount.
What Should Dogs Drink Instead
Your dog should drink nothing but plain, fresh water the majority of the time. This is the best thing to keep your dog hydrated and healthy.
Besides, a dog’s sense of taste is around 1/6th as powerful as in us humans – they only have 1700 taste buds compared to our 9000.
So they would not get the same kind of level of intensity of taste, like say, we would.
They essentially would not get to enjoy the flavors of drinking Capri Sun, as we do.
And what’s even more interesting is that dogs also have special taste buds geared specifically for water!
These taste buds are situated at the tip of the tongue, hence why dogs lap water.
And it is believed they have evolved these taste buds to keep them hydrated, particularly after eating foods that may have the opposing effect.
So why would we ever need to venture away from this fundamental element?
And this means the likes of Capri Sun, Juice, Tea, Coffee, Soda (like Coke) should never be offered.
Besides, there are other things in them that can be problematic too, like caffeine.
Kombucha, flavored water; are not really that suitable either.
In reality, the only thing a dog should drink is water.
And if you did want to offer something else, ensure it was specifically designed for dogs and serves a purpose.
For instance, there is a product called K9 Powder which can be particularly helpful for active dogs:
No products found.
But for the most part, stick to water.
Finally
Dogs shouldn’t really be drinking Capri Sun – as you will have seen why here today.
There are several reasons for this.
Not only in what this specific product does, and can contain, but also on the fundamental level that dogs only need water.
Besides, they have very specific taste buds for it and don’t have the same number of regular taste buds to enjoy the flavors Capri Sun can offer anyway!
Wondering what else dogs can and cannot drink? Then you may want to check out my guides below:
- Can Dogs Drink Flavored Water?
- Can Dogs Drink Kombucha?
- Can Dogs Drink Chamomile Tea?
- Can Dogs Drink Coke?

I am an experienced pet owner with decades of experience owning a number of different pets, from traditional pets like dogs and cats, to the more exotic like reptiles and rodents. I currently own a Cockapoo (pictured) called Bailey. I am also the main writer and chief editor here at Pet Educate; a site dedicated to sharing evidence-based insights and guidance, based on my vast pet ownership knowledge, experience, and extensive research.