Is it safe for a dog to drink tea?

Can Dogs Drink Tea?

During the cold months of the winter, there is nothing better than cuddling up in a warm blanket with a cup of tea.

Besides the many health benefits of herbal tea, it also helps to get us through the flu season.

When my dog got sick, I’ve thought about every possible way to help her.

Maybe a cup of herbal tea would boost the immune system and fight against inflammation.

But can dogs drink tea or is it harmful to them?

Dogs can drink tea and some sorts like green tea and chamomile tea can help with your dog’s upset stomach.

However, tea with milk for dogs might not be the best addition to your dog’s diet since it’s high on fat and sugar and may cause allergic reactions. Dogs should never drink tea with caffeine.

Is It Safe for Dogs to Drink Tea?

In general, it is safe for dogs to drink a cup of tea once in a while and it won’t cause them any long term health issues.

When sharing tea with your dog, make sure that there is 0 caffeine in it.

Test the temperature before you give the tea to your dog and let it cool down until it’s lukewarm.

If you can comfortably drink it then it should be safe for your dog.

Can Dogs Drink Chamomile Tea?

Just like green tea, chamomile is incredibly healthy and your dog can enjoy a few sips too.

The calming effects can help with anxiety and it can also be given for an upset stomach.

You can either use a regular tea bag or brew a teaspoon of chamomile flowers in 1 cup of boiling water for about 15 minutes.

Let it cool down completely before feeding it to your dog in either a water bowl or directly into his mouth.

After the brewing, you can add another cup of water if the taste is too strong.

You can use any leftover chamomile tea as a fur spray to kill bacteria and cool itchy skin.

If you want to check out more alternative remedies for fur infestations, check out my post on coconut oil.

Can Dogs Drink Green Tea?

Green tea is made from Camellia sinensis leafs and originates from East Asia.

Dogs can definitely drink green tea but only if it’s decaffeinated.

It’s known to improve one’s health significantly if consumed regularly.

The containing antioxidants decrease the risk of certain types of cancer, including breast and colon cancer.

Furthermore, it is able to kill bacteria which lowers the risk of infection and other diseases.

These health benefits can also help improve your dog’s overall health.

Never leave any tea bags hanging in the cup because your dog might choke on them.

If you enjoy a cup of caffeinated green tea then place the teabag out of your dog’s reach.

The Effects of Caffeine in Dogs

Caffeine is something many people crave and need to kick start the day.

Pets are significantly more sensitive to caffeine and it’s very dangerous for them to consume, even in moderate amounts.

First signs of caffeine poisoning can appear within 1-2 hours of consumption and the symptoms include:

Vomiting
High blood pressure
Restlessness
Pacing
Hyperactivity
High body temperature
Panting

In severe cases, your dog might experience seizures or even collapse, leading to poor prognosis.

An extremely rapid and irregular heartbeat may result in the death of your pet.

If your dog is showing any of the symptoms mentioned above, take him to the emergency vet immediately.

14 milligrams of caffeine per pound of body weight can already lead to poisoning signs.

“A single caffeine tablet contains enough of the medication to be very dangerous to an eight-pound dog or cat”
Dr. Elisa Mazzaferro

Keep all your teabags, coffee beans, and medications locked away at all times.

Never feed your dog any diet pills or table scrabs which could be full of toxic substances.

Can Dogs Drink Tea With Milk

Milk contains lots of fat and natural sugar.

Feeding your dog too much milk may lead to vomiting, diarrhea, obesity, and pancreatitis.

Lactose-intolerant dogs shouldn’t drink tea with milk as this could also cause gas and abdominal pain.

Dairy products are a leading source of food intolerance and many dogs can’t digest them properly.

A tiny amount of milk in your tea might not harm your dog but if you want to play it safe then only feed him the pure tea.

I always check that any yogurt or cheese is free of lactose so I can safely feed it to my dog while still getting the health benefits.

If your dog has accidentally drunk a large amount of milk then monitor his abdominal distress and stool.

First signs should occur within 12 hours of consumption.

Can Dogs Drink Peppermint Tea?

Peppermint tea is such a popular choice and is totally safe to drink for your dog. This herbal tea is packed with health benefits including:

More energy
Better sleep
Weight loss
Relieves migraines and headaches
Fights against bacteria
Fewer allergies
Fetter concentration and focus

An occasional cup of peppermint tea won’t do your dog any harm. For example, you could add a small teacup to your dog’s meal once in a while.

Tea for an Upset Stomach

Herbal tea can have a soothing effect on an upset stomach.

Especially Chamomile tea functions as a sedative for the stomach to regulate gas or vomiting and it helps in preventing diarrhea.

If your dog is easily excitable and has to fight with a nervous belly a lot then feeding him chamomile before or during an exciting event will calm his gurgling tummy.

You can start with 1 ml per 30 lbs of your dog’s body weight which should be consumed every two hours until the digestive upset subsides.

Conclusion

Dogs can definitely enjoy a cup of herbal tea once in a while during the winter or times of illness.

Before you give your dog anything new, test the tea in small dosages to prevent any allergic reactions.

Adding a little bit of milk won’t do any harm if your dog is not lactose intolerant but it’s also unnecessary.

Herbal teas like chamomile tea can be used on an upset stomach to regulate digestive activities.

Keep in mind that although tea is safe to drink for dogs, water should always be the primary fluid source and is completely sufficient.

Consult your veterinarian first if you want to incorporate tea regularly into your dog’s diet.

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Disclaimer: This blog post does not substitute veterinary attention and does not intend to do so. I am not a veterinarian or pet nutritionist. If your dog shows any sign of illness, call your vet.

About Danielle

I am the founder of PawLeaks where I share weekly tips on dog training and behavior. Sharing a passion for dogs and helping owners to solve problems through understanding canine behavior and modification is my number one goal.

Can dogs drink tea?

There’s nothing more comforting than a nice cup of tea; but be careful if you give some to your dog! In fact, dogs can drink some types of tea and herbal teas, but be very careful with those that contain caffeine, which is toxic to dogs in large quantities.

By Emilie Heyl

Updated on the 03/05/2022 17:55

With more than 100 million cups consumed every day, tea is probably the most consumed beverage in the UK. Drinking a cup of tea in British culture, and other culture, has for centuries played a significant role in socialising. Given its popularity, this beverage may lead pet owners to share their love for a cup of tea with their furry best-friends.

While starting the day with a cup of tea is very relaxing and beneficial for us, it is not the same for dogs. Indeed, it is not recommended to give tea to your pet because of the presence of caffeine. Even though tea contains less caffeine than coffee, you should not let your dog drink it, especially when the quantity is considerable.

Find out which tea dogs can drink in moderation, which ones are toxic and what you should do in case your dog drank tea out of your mug.

Is it safe for dogs to drink tea?

Is tea safe for dogs? No, not really…

This beverage is certainly popular with humans, but is clearly not recommended for dogs. It can be dangerous because most teas have caffeine inside and a large amount of it can be bad for your pooch. Depending on the dose ingested, it can even be fatal, especially for small dogs. Caution should be exercised when using either the uninfused tea bag or the ready-to-drink cup.

Don’t worry if your dog had a really small amount of tea, he should be fine. The most serious doses are above 140 mg/kg. Major problems occur if your dog has drunk tea or devoured your tea bag. Several symptoms should alert you within two hours of ingestion:

A strong agitation which is explained by the caffeine
Vomiting
An accelerated heart rate (tachycardia)
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Trembling because of the high heart rate
An increase in body temperature (hyperthermia)
Coma

Not all teas are the same, as some have a higher concentration and others may be flavoured. As it is difficult to know the composition, it is recommended not to give any tea to a dog. Herbal teas are sometimes considered if they are chamomile based as they have relaxing properties. For stressed and anxious animals, it can be beneficial, but to eliminate all risks, essential oils are to be preferred.

What should you do if your dog drank tea

As with all harmful substances, tea must be expelled as soon as possible. You should not try anything, as the wrong action can cause even more damage.

First of all, you should check which tea your dog drank as some teas aren’t toxic to dogs. If your dog drank black tea or green tea for example it could be dangerous because of the caffeine present inside. Then, you should try to see how much tea your dog drank. If it was a really small sip, then your pooch should be fine, if it was more like half a mug, this could become dangerous. In that case, the best solution is to contact your vet or a poison control centre as soon as possible. They’ll be able to advise you on what to do. The veterinarian will try to flush out the caffeine and will keep the heart rate down as much as possible.

If you are worried your dog has drank tea and you are not sure how much he has swallowed, keep a close eye on your dog. If you notice any change after ingestion, you should consult a professional as soon as possible.

Can dogs drink black tea?

Dogs should always avoid drinking any teas which have caffeine. Caffeine unnecessarily raises the heart rate and can be toxic if dogs ingest too much (five cups of tea for a small dog, for example). While it takes a fair amount of tea to harm your dog, there aren’t many benefits for your dog, it’s not worth sharing a cup of black tea with your dog.

Can dogs drink tea with milk?

Most of the time people drink black tea with milk. But be careful with milk and dogs. Yes, indeed, milk contains a lot of fat and natural sugar. If you give too much milk to your dog it can lead to vomiting, diarrhoea, obesity and pancreatitis. Lactose intolerant dogs should not drink tea with milk as this could also cause gas and abdominal pain.

An extremely small amount of milk in your tea might not harm your dog, but if you want to play it safe, only give your furry friend pure tea.

Can dogs drink green tea?

Green tea contains caffeine, certainly less than black tea, but it is still higher than other types of tea such as white tea. Plus, green tea is a gentler source of stimulant, something dogs should avoid.

You might have noticed that some dog foods have green tea in their ingredients, this is because the green tea leaf has many health benefits. It contains antioxidants, it helps with digestive health issues, promotes fresher breath, helps to reduce cholesterol and high blood pressure. But sadly, natural green tea contains caffeine. Keep in mind though that if the dog’s food has green tea inside, it’s more likely to contain a very conservative amount.

Although a small amount of green tea won’t harm your dog, it’s best to avoid giving this beverage to your dog.

Can dogs drink chamomile tea

Chamomile is a popular medicinal plant. But how can chamomile tea also help your dog? Due to its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effect, it is one of the most popular medicinal plants.

The essential oil contained in the chamomile flower is responsible for the healing effect. Its ingredients have a particularly positive effect on gastrointestinal tract disorders as well as on internal and external inflammations of the skin and mucous membranes.

Chamomile tea is particularly effective internally for all kinds of gastrointestinal disorders. It calms the digestive system and relaxes the contracted muscles. Abdominal pain or diarrhoea due to anxiety or poor nutrition can therefore be treated with chamomile tea. Itchy, dull or damaged fur or skin can also be treated with chamomile tea. For this purpose, cooled, boiled chamomile tea can be massaged into the dog’s fur.

There are different ways of administering chamomile tea, depending on the area of application. For internal application, you should first test whether your four-legged friend likes the taste of chamomile or not. External application is much easier, because here the tea can simply be dabbed onto the affected area.

If your dog is well accustomed to the taste of chamomile, you can boil a bag or loose dried chamomile and let it steep for about 10 minutes. Since the brewing time determines the strength of the tea, you can also reduce it to get used to it. You can let the tea cool and offer it to your dog in a bowl of water.

Can dogs drink peppermint tea

It is safe for dogs to take peppermint tea. It can improve their breathing capacity and freshen their breath. Peppermint (mentha balsamea) can soothe your dog’s nausea and upset stomach, but in large quantities it can also cause liver or kidney problems. So if you decide to give peppermint tea to your dog, make sure it’s in moderation.

What tea is toxic to dogs? And what tea is safe for dogs?

Here is a little recap’ of teas which are safe for dogs and the ones which are toxic.

Teas which are toxic to dogs

Teas which contain caffeine are dangerous for dogs. This includes: black tea, green tea, white tea and Oolong tea. Basically plants made from the camellia sinensis plant contain a large amount of caffeine.

Teas which are safe for dogs

Popular herbal teas that your dog might also enjoy include chamomile, echinacea, ginger, peppermint and rooibos tea. In fact, it is not only safe for dogs to drink these teas, but also beneficial.

What can dogs drink besides water?

Water is the best drink for your dog. Dogs need constant access to clean, fresh, and preferably cold water. For your dog, drinking water is simply the best way to stay hydrated and healthy — no other drink comes close in terms of benefits. This is especially true in the summer, when it’s hotter: water helps your dog cool down. If you’re taking long car journeys or spending the day out in the sun, carry enough drinking water for your dog and a travel bowl so he can drink when he needs it.

There are more and more dog drink options on the market, such as beers, wine and even prosecco for dogs (all without alcohol, of course). There are even products such as health tonics and caffeine-free teas for dogs. All these drinks are sold as treats. If you decide to serve them to your dog, they should be occasional, not a regular part of your dog’s diet. Let’s face it, your dog would probably prefer a good, nutritious biscuit (or piece of fruit) served with water, rather than a fancy drink.

Emilie Heyl was born in Southampton and studied communications and journalism in Paris. She has always loved dogs and cats and she knows she will have a dog one day, when the time is right. In the meantime she loves to take care of her colleagues’ dogs and has been voted best pet-sitter at the office. She feels lucky to be able to write about pets all day and she never stops being amazed by these wonderful creatures.

Frequently asked questions

Can I give ice cubs to my dog?

Yes, it is safe to give ice cubs to dogs, especially in the summer as this will help them keep cool. The best way to give ice cubs to your dog is to throw a few in your pooch’s water bowl.

Can dogs eat eggs?

Dogs can eat eggs but in moderation. Eggs are packed with vitamins and minerals, and in being so it is a great food to boost a dog’s immunity. Also, eggs have a lot of protein, fatty acids and amino acids in them; those are things that are good for a dog’s health.

Can Dogs Drink Tea?

When you’re sitting on the sofa and relaxing with your evening cup of tea, you might find that your dog is hanging around too. Since you’re enjoying your cuppa so much, you might be wondering whether your dog can have a bit of tea too. We’ve got all the answers below. Take a look!

Can dogs drink tea?

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Dogs can’t drink tea due to its caffeine content. Caffeine is toxic to dogs and can cause many health issues — even decaffeinated tea contains small amounts of caffeine so it’s still not recommended. When it comes to drinks for dogs, fresh water is always the best and safest option.

Can dogs drink tea with milk?

Dogs should not drink tea with milk. Black tea contains caffeine, and milk can cause digestive upset in dogs. In fact, too much milk can lead to:

The signs may be more serious if your dog is lactose intolerant. See a vet if your dog has any of these symptoms.

Is tea bad for dogs?

In short, tea is bad for dogs due to its high caffeine content. This includes black tea, Earl Grey, oolong tea, white tea and caffeinated green tea.

Is caffeine bad for dogs?

Yes, caffeine is bad for dogs and can even be fatal in high dosages. They’re more sensitive to caffeine than humans, so smaller amounts can affect them more. Caffeine elevates a dog’s heart rate and can cause other major health issues as well.

Symptoms of caffeine poisoning in dogs

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Hyperactivity
Dog seizures
Higher than normal body temperature
Restlessness
Dog vomiting and diarrhoea
Tremors
Elevated heart rate
Elevated blood pressure
Abnormal heart rhythms

If you spot any of these symptoms in your dog, be sure to contact your vet straight away.

Can dogs drink green tea?

Green tea isn’t usually recommended for dogs as it contains naturally-occurring caffeine, which is bad for dogs. Green tea is added to some dog foods because of its antioxidant properties and ability to help digestive health and aid fresh breath. However, this will be in small, controlled amounts.

Can dogs drink herbal tea?

Your dog can drink some herbal teas in moderation. Dogs can drink: chamomile, ginger, echinacea, rooibos and peppermint tea, however, fresh water is a better and more suitable choice. Before offering any of these drinks to your pet, make sure to ask your vet if this is a good idea.

Peppermint tea for dogs

Peppermint tea may help soothe upset stomachs and reduce feelings of nausea in dogs. It can also freshen their breath. It’s important to make sure the peppermint tea doesn’t contain any caffeine and that it’s given in moderation. Remember to also contact your vet before giving it to your dog.

Chamomile tea for dogs

Chamomile tea is known for its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. People sometimes take it because it may help with digestive issues and reduce smooth muscle spasms in the gut wall. However, it is always best to seek veterinary advice for treating gastrointestinal disorders in dogs.

Before your dog drinks chamomile tea, make sure it’s been boiled and cooled.

Can I give my dog ginger tea?

Dogs can drink a bit of ginger tea in moderation but always check with your vet before giving it to them. It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which may help with things like:

Nausea from travelling with dogs
Canine arthritis
Gas and bloating

We hope this article answered the question ‘can dogs drink tea’? As you can see, some teas are a definite no, and others are fine in moderation. Next, check out our article to find out if dogs can eat pasta or not.