Should dogs drink tea

Dogs shouldn’t really be given tea to drink due to the presence of caffeine. Caffeine is toxic to dogs.

It can be harmful in small doses and it can be seriously harmful in larger doses. Caffeine is not only found in tea. It is a common substance also in coffee, coffee grounds, tea bags, diet pills, and soda. A chemical that is related to caffeine, theobromine is found in chocolate. All of these above substances are toxic to dogs. Read “Can dogs drink coffee” for more information.

Even though the caffeine levels in tea are lower than in coffee it is still not healthy for dogs. Even a small amount of caffeine can cause a dog to be agitated and hyper.

A couple of sips from your cup of tea when your back is turned is probably not a major. If your dog gets into the rubbish and eats tea bags it is best to call your vet. Not only is there the risk of caffeine poisoning, but the risk of the tea bag causing a blockage. Many tea bags also have a staple in them to fasten the string. This could be harmful to your dog’s insides.

Teas Your Dog Can Have

There are some teas that can offer lots of health benefits for dogs including chamomile and catnip tea. Chamomile tea can be good for dogs as it is soothing and can help them relax.

Many herbal teas are safe for dogs. I would recommend consulting your vet before giving them any. Other teas that are safe for dogs include peppermint tea, echinacea tea, and rooibos tea. All of these can help dogs with digestive problems. You may also give your dogs decaffeinated versions of teas that typically contain caffeine, like green tea or black tea.

Some people consider giving their dogs Green Tea due to the health and antioxidant properties. However, natural Green Tea still does contain caffeine. Avoid black tea as this does have higher levels of caffeine.

Symptoms and signs of caffeine poisoning in dogs

Caffeine affects the nervous system and heart of dogs. If your dog does drink tea, even a small quantity watch out for these signs;

vomiting
diarrhea
tremors and shakes
hyperactivity
panting
agitation
nervousness
rapid heartbeat
Higher levels of caffeine can even lead to difficulty breathing and Hypothermia seizures.

What to do if your dog has drunk tea

Any signs of caffeine poisoning will occur after an hour or two of them drinking it. Keep a close eye on your dog for any of the above symptoms. If you have any concerns consult your vet as soon as possible.

The vet may treat by inducing vomiting, to prevent more caffeine from entering the blood vessels. Do not induce vomiting yourself unless the vet has instructed you to. They may also prescribe anti-seizure pills or other medication to reduce blood pressure.

The consumption of caffeine in small amounts may cause your dog to be mildly affected. When a large portion is consumed the effects could be more serious.

Dog tea bags

If your dog is really keen to drink tea you can always get them their own. DoggieTEA Teabags are a calming, all natural and organic dog treat for your dogs. Relax and de-stress your dog at any time of day or night. Learn more about doggie tea here.