We’ve all been there. Maybe you’re trying to keep warm during some wintery playtime with the pooches at the park. Perhaps you got up from your place for just a minute.
Whatever the reason, you turn around, and your dog has chugged the last of your tea! So, can dogs drink black tea? Is black tea toxic to dogs?
Or does black tea have health benefits for your pooch? In this article, we explore some of the things dogs can and can’t drink, as well as how much of it they should drink and how often they should drink it. Read on to find out more about dogs and tea!
Is it okay for my dog to drink tea?
So, your dog has jumped up onto the table and lapped up the last of your cuppa. Well, the good news is that a small amount of tea is okay for your dog. A dribble of tea has health benefits for pooches.
For example, all teas contain antioxidants, which reduce your risk of cancer and protect you from pollution. Tea also has diuretic properties, helping to keep things regular. Herbal teas have further benefits still.
But the caffeine in tea is a concern for dogs – especially small dogs. Though the caffeine in your morning cuppa is merely half as much caffeine as a cup of coffee, this caffeine is enough to make your pooch jittery, hyper, and uncomfortable. Too much tea can even be fatal for dogs!
What happens when a dog drinks tea?
If your dog is a tea lover, the caffeine in black or green tea will raise your dog’s blood pressure from the first lap. This will make your dog more alert and active. Your pooch may want to play or run around – time for walkies!
Then, the fluoride will get to work strengthening your pooch’s teeth. Some researchers think tea is good for bones, too. Tea’s antioxidants will also begin to protect your dog’s cells from oxidative stress.
Some scientists have found that tea appears to boost immune health. After all, tea has anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. And herbal teas can ease nausea and promote good digestion, among their other effects.
People who regularly drink tea have also been living longer and are less likely to develop cardiovascular disease or have a stroke.
What kind of tea is good for dogs?
Do you drink herbal teas? If your dog has developed a taste for black tea, letting your pooch lap the last of a decaf tea can be a better option. Do be aware that decaf tea can sometimes have a higher amount of caffeine than declared, though.
To keep your pooch’s caffeine intake to a minimum, brew decaf black or green tea at a lower temperature and for less time. Matcha is also acceptable for canines, but again, limit how much of it your dog consumes.
Herbal teas are also great for pups. Keep your dog’s breath fresh by steeping a green peppermint teabag in their bowl, or soothe their nausea and promote their digestion with some ginger tea. You can also help your dog relax during stormy nights with some warm chamomile tea.
Is black tea good for a dog’s skin?
Every summer, dogs up and down the country start scratching as pollen, grass, insects, and who knows what else fill the air! Skin problems are one of the most common complaints vets see. So, can black tea help your dog’s skin?
Yes, there are many ways various types of tea can help your dog’s skin. If your pooch is currently particularly uncomfortable, a cool black tea bath can work wonders (if your dog doesn’t drink it first).
But did you know tea can also block allergic responses? In 2002, the American Chemical Society confirmed that tea’s EGCG could block the body’s key allergic response receptor. EGCG is present in calendula, green tea, chamomile, and black tea.
You can even use a damp chamomile teabag to wipe conjunctivitis or tear stains out of your pooch’s eyes. Other foods beneficial for your dog’s skin include quercetin-rich green apples, broccoli, kale, and berries. Omega 3 is also brilliant for your dog’s coat.
What can dogs drink besides water?
So, various teas are beneficial for dogs. But what else can a dog drink?
Did you know most fruit juices are okay for dogs? Again, too much fruit juice can negatively affect your pooch’s teeth and can lead to your dog consuming too much sugar. But fruit juices are an excellent way for your dog to get more vitamins into their diet.
Dairy and milk are also acceptable for dogs. Whether it’s natural yogurt or kefir (as a long-lasting gut-healthy licky treat) or the infamous frothy Starbucks’ steamed milk puppy-cino after a wintery walk, both nut and dairy milk are brilliant at getting calcium and fat into your pooch’s diet.
Vegetable soups, stocks, and broths are another tasty topping for your dog’s kibble on a cold day.
As always, read the specific product’s label before serving it to your dog, and don’t feed sweeteners like xylitol, which is toxic to dogs.
Can dogs drink tea with milk?
Yes. This is how my dog started to drink tea. Black tea with plenty of milk makes an occasional delicious treat for pooches, and many dogs love it. Just be aware that milk is very calorific for dogs and may lead to pancreatitis if your dog drinks a lot of tea with milk.
How much tea can a dog drink?
As we touched upon previously, the caffeine found in green or black tea can pose a risk to your dog’s health. So, just how much tea is safe for a dog to drink?
Well, it turns out that a small dog would have to drink five cups of tea a day to take in a toxic amount of caffeine. This is a difficult feat for most humans! So, do keep enjoying tea with your pup. Just keep an eye on how much you both drink.
