While dogs can drink a small amount of tea without sending them to the emergency vet, they shouldn’t be drinking it due to potential risks. Many teas, particularly black, oolong, white, or green teas, contain caffeine, which is harmful to dogs. Even caffeine-free teas may have toxic ingredients, especially if sweetened with xylitol, which can be life-threatening.
Here’s what you need to know about tea and dogs.
Why is tea bad for dogs?
Many teas contain the stimulant caffeine. Humans might benefit from the kick or boost that caffeine can deliver, but dogs are too sensitive to the stimulant’s effects.
If a dog consumes too much caffeine, their heart rate might spike as they become agitated and restless.
Some of the other symptoms a dog can have after consuming caffeine include:
- Vomiting
- Higher body temperature
- Irregular heart rhythms
- Panting
- Higher blood pressure
In very severe cases, too much caffeine can cause a dog to enter a coma or even pass away.
Even tea that doesn’t contain caffeine often includes artificial sweeteners or flavors that are toxic to dogs.
Herbal teas like peppermint or chamomile are less dangerous to dogs, but still could cause some stomach upset. Always speak to your veterinarian before giving your dog any dog-safe herbal teas.
What should I do if my dog drinks tea?
First, if your dog has sneaked in a tiny sip of your tea, there’s a good chance they’ll be okay. This is especially so if your dog is larger in size In these cases, remove the drink from your dog and monitor them closely for symptoms.
As a rough guide, it’s estimated that consuming nine milligrams of caffeine per pound of a dog’s weight is the level at which they might experience negative symptoms.
If you find out that your dog has consumed a significant amount or is displaying any of the symptoms listed above, you’ll want to call up an emergency veterinarian or a pet poison hotline.
Depending on the specific symptoms your dog is displaying and the estimated amount of tea they have consumed, your vet might use activated charcoal to absorb any toxins, induce vomiting, or use an intravenous drip.
