Can Dogs Have Green Tea?
Your dog needs a drink! You will most likely be tempted to give it green tea, as it is one of the most common drinks across multiple households.
Green tea is made from unoxidized Camellia Sinesis leaves. This tea is catechin, categorized as an EGCG, which is rich in antioxidants.
However, the biggest question is whether green tea suits your dog. The following insights into green tea will help you understand its suitability for your pet.
Can Dogs Take Green Tea?
Green tea is safe and healthy for your dog when consumed correctly and in moderation. The amount given shall vary with the dog’s breed, size, and health status.
Generally, small dogs should take approximately 1/8th of a cup twice a day. On the other hand, medium breed dogs can take up to half a cup of green tea twice daily, and a large dog can consume approximately a cup of green tea daily. You’ll need to mix this tea with the dog’s food for effective administration.
How To Give Your Dog Green Tea?
Various methods are used to feed your dog green tea, including the following.
Treats
Treats are the safest and easiest way to give your dog green tea. They come prepackaged, meaning you can get a size that fits your dog, depending on its breed, size, and age. In such instances, expect less caffeine in the tea, reducing its side effects on the pet. Besides, dogs will unlikely reject treats.
Regular Food
You can also add green tea to your dog’s regular food. However, you should regulate the amount to avoid health complications. If you are unsure of the amount, consider professional guidance from your vet.
Shampoos
Green tea can also be used to make shampoos to treat skin and coat-related issues. While this means the dog will not ingest the tea, it will have healthier skin. However, you must use shampoos dedicated to dogs.
You might want to serve your dog this tea as a plain drink. In this case, you’ll add the green tea into a bowl and let the dog lap it. However, this approach can be dangerous, as it might contribute to excessive caffeine consumption.
Further, avoid supplements with green tea unless a vet authorizes it. These supplements might contain other additives that could harm your pet.
Why Green Tea Is Beneficial To Dogs?
Multiple pet owners are gradually embracing green teas in their dog’s diet, thanks to the numerous health benefits. Here are a few reasons why green tea is essential for your pet.
Cognitive Function
Green tea contains caffeine, which boosts mental alertness, focus, and cognitive function. It also has polyphenols that significantly increase dopamine availability, ensuring your dog is relaxed enough to handle various tasks. In addition, these elements will help address anxiety, stress, and depression in dogs.
Digestive Health
Green tea has sufficient catechins that help reduce stomach and gastrointestinal tract inflammation. They also help address stomach upsets, including vomiting and diarrhea. This tea is an excellent solution for dogs with bowel movement issues and constipation.
Regulate Blood Pressure
Suppose your dog is susceptible to blood pressure and cholesterol issues. Then, green tea will be a perfect solution, as its antioxidative properties help regulate blood pressure and cholesterol amounts in the body. In addition, this tea will be an excellent solution to obesity in dogs.
Joint, Bone, Nail Health
Green tea has unique EGCG properties that help reduce the production of molecules associated with joint pain and inflammation. This element can also help fight arthritis in dogs. Additionally, it strengthens the bones, protecting your dog against osteoarthritis.
Further, green tea has natural soothing properties, which can help your dog’s paws and nails to be stronger.
Fresh Breath
Green tea is an excellent solution to bad breath, particularly among dogs with periodontal dental issues. It minimizes plaque buildup, ensuring that your dog’s teeth are much cleaner, contributing to fresher breath. Its anti-inflammatory properties will also address the symptoms of gum disease.
Side Effects Of Caffeine On Dogs
Excessive consumption of caffeine contributes to caffeine toxicity in dogs. This condition raises blood pressure, causing cardiac arrhythmias. In such instances, your dog will exhibit fatigue, anxiety, sweating, and fainting.
This toxicity will also irritate the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in diarrhea and nausea or vomiting. Often, vomiting will help remove the toxins in the bloodstream, meaning you can consider inducing it. Urination could also suffice.
Caffeine toxicity could also make your pet lose control of its muscles, resulting in seizures and tremors.
Regardless of your dog’s size or breed, caffeine toxicity can significantly damage its kidneys, liver, central nervous system, heart, and lungs. Immediate medical attention should be a priority once you see the symptoms of caffeine toxicity, including the following.
- Elevated blood pressure
- Extreme body temperatures
- Vomiting, nausea, and gagging
- Incoordination and confusion
- Seizures, tremors, and collapsing
- Hyperactivity
How Best To Prepare Green Tea For Your Dog?
Propper green tea preparation will help minimize the risk of caffeine toxicity. It also gives you enhanced control over what to include in this tea, ensuring that it is healthy for your pet. The following steps suffice.
- Choose the right tea: Loose-leaf tea is suitable when preparing green tea for your dog since it is low in caffeine. You could also steep this drink.
- Add water: A teabag of green tea requires approximately a liter of water. Alternatively, add a tablespoon of loose-leaf tea to the water.
- Steep the tea: Ensure that the tea steeps in cold water for approximately 15 minutes.
- Serve: Once the tea is ready, you can mix it with the dog’s food and serve.
The taste of the prepared green tea will vary, mainly with the type and the farming practices used. You might also have to choose non-caffeinated drinks to avoid various health complications.
Final Thoughts
Green tea is safe and healthy for your pet. However, since it is a laxative, you must offer it moderately, whether or not it is caffeinated. Excessive consumption could contribute to various health complications, including arrhythmia. Yet, with the insights above, you understand what to observe.
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