Green tea has many positive effects on human health, including the presence of antioxidants. Massive quantities of green tea-based products flood the market thanks to the popularity of health fads.
It’s only natural for people to wonder if green tea is beneficial for their pets if they learn of all the amazing things it can do for humans. Does Green Tea Affect Dogs?
In this piece, you will learn how to safely administer green tea to your dog and reap the benefits yourself.
Additionally, you will gain knowledge of what to do and watch for if they consume too much. Keep reading to find out how to ensure the wellbeing and security of your dog.
Can Dogs Drink Green Tea?
For the most part, giving your dog a small amount of green tea in one of its many forms is completely safe. Green tea and products made from green tea typically contain caffeine, so the amount given to the dog should be carefully monitored.
The Benefits of Green Tea for Dogs
Numerous studies have shown that green tea is beneficial for canine health. As a rich source of antioxidants, it may aid in:
- Increase the flexibility of your joints and the vitality of your coat.
- Do what you can to bolster their defenses
- Intensify the power of their nails
Green tea products for dogs may help their owners get a better reaction from their pets during exercise.
The antioxidant properties of green tea aren’t the only reason your dog should drink it.
Aid in digestive health
Green tea has been shown to calm an upset stomach and speed up the digestive process. If your dog is having digestive problems, including constipation, green tea can help.
Reducing blood pressure and cholesterol
Like humans, dogs can develop cardiovascular disease. Green tea is a great asset for the owners of overweight dogs because it can help reduce the risk of developing these health problems. You shouldn’t drink green tea if you’re trying to slim down.
Freshens breath
Actually, you don’t need me to explain. Improved oral hygiene benefits everyone and can make even the most repulsive sloppy kisses more tolerable.
Cancer-Fighting Qualities
You might not think this Chinese tea has any other applications besides drinking, but you’d be wrong.
Some research suggests that the low level of oxidation experienced by green tea during processing contributes to its potential cancer-fighting effects.
According to a study cited by the US National Library of Medicine, prostate cancer in men halted in its tracks when they began consuming 5 cups of green tea daily.
One more recent study investigated whether or not green tea could help treat canine cancer. Antibiotics and other medical treatments for a Labrador’s lymphoma weren’t helping the dog, who was seven years old.
However, when green tea was given multiple times daily as a last resort, the enlarged lymph nodes shrank to a healthy size in a matter of weeks.
The Immune System Catalyst
Green tea’s antioxidant properties are among its most notable advantages. The benefits of antioxidants, as described in a 2014 study led by Gordon F. Rushworth, include protection against cell damage and improved immune function.
Just because of this, green tea has proven to be effective in the war against cancer.
Putting cancer aside, a stronger immune system makes your dog better able to fend off other infections and diseases on its own.
It’s possible that these measures will improve your dog’s quality of life, alleviate some of the burdens you face as a pet owner, and cut down on the money you spend on veterinary care. Have a chat with your vet about adding green tea to your pet’s diet.
How Much Green Tea Should I Feed My Dog?
Green tea is safe for dogs, but you must first find a source of caffeine-free green tea. If you want to keep your dog in good mental and physical health, you should never give it caffeinated tea.
To make four cups (one liter) of caffeine-free green tea, boil water and add one tea bag or one tablespoon of loose tea leaves. Tea bags or loose tea can be strained out after 15 minutes of steeping.
Keep the tea refrigerated for up to three days if you cover it. Add 1/8 cup to your small dog’s morning and nightly kibble. Large dogs should have 1/2 to 1 cup added to their food, while medium dogs should have 1/4 to 1/2 a cup.
The Best Way to Give Dogs Green Tea
Green tea is found in many products, but not all of them are suitable for canines.
There are some things to think about before reaching for your favorite green tea protein powder or heating up some water for your dog to drink.
Treats
The portion sizes of packaged treats are always clearly labeled. Furthermore, the caffeine content of green tea in the treats is typically lower than what they would consume if you simply let them lap it up.
If you want to give your dog green tea, the safest and most enjoyable method is most likely in the form of treats.
Starting your dog off on green tea the right way with treats is the best option. They are less costly than diving paw-first into a bag of expensive food, and your furry friend will have an easier time consuming them.
Your dog probably won’t have time to decide they don’t like the treat by the time they’re done eating it.
When compared to being forced to sit there and eat an entire bowl of green tea-infused dog food, the risk of rejection for treats is much lower. In addition, testing your dog’s reaction to green tea with a lower dose is a good idea.
The best way to give a dog green tea is probably not in their regular food, especially if that food is their staple. Green tea consumption should be moderated.
Shampoos – Green Tea for Dogs Skin
Green tea-based dog shampoos are ideal if you want to strengthen your dog’s coat without worrying about the potential health benefits of green tea.
This way, the dog won’t get any of the tea in its system, but its coat will still benefit from it and look great afterward.
Do not wash your dog with green tea shampoo, even if you use it yourself. We humans have different requirements and characteristics than dogs do with their fur.
Human shampoo, while beneficial for human scalps, can be harmful to your dog’s skin and coat.
Green Tea Extract vs. Natural Green Tea
Dog owners have mixed feelings about green tea, with some saying it’s not worth the potential for caffeine-related problems and others raving about the health benefits.
Green tea extract may sound different, but both forms of the product contain caffeine and should be administered with care.
Natural green tea already contains caffeine, but some green tea extracts and green tea concentrates have even more.
Caffeine Free Options
Natural green tea and green tea extracts/concentrate that have had the caffeine removed are safe for canine consumption. Be wary of the other ingredients if you plan to give this to your dog. In addition, canines are not permitted to have:
- Xylitol
- Chocolate
- Grapes and grape juice
How Not to Give Dogs Green Tea
If you want to err on the side of caution, you probably shouldn’t feed your dog green tea you made at home unless you know for sure that it doesn’t contain any caffeine. Too much caffeine can be fatal, so it’s important to get the dosage right.
Putting some green tea leaves in a bowl and letting your dog drink them is the absolute worst way to administer a healthy dose of green tea to your dog.
This is not only likely to result in chaos, but it also increases the risk that you will give them too much.
Even if caffeine isn’t the issue, drinking too much green tea could be.
Unless otherwise directed by your vet, you should never give your dog a green tea-containing dietary supplement. Preservatives and other additives are common in supplements and may pose health risks.
Signs to Watch for
Fortunately, there are usually some signs that will direct you straight to the vet’s office if your dog’s experience with green tea consumption has gone awry. Among these symptoms are:
- Excessive sighing and huffing
- Rate of heartbeat quickens
- Hyperactivity
- Shaking/trembling/seizing
- Foaming at the mouth and/or vomiting
Consult a veterinarian immediately if you observe any of these signs. Never try to induce vomiting in your dog at home; vets can induce vomiting by pumping the stomach.
The Green Tea Verdict
Green tea has many health benefits, and while it’s typically associated with human consumption, those benefits can also be passed on to your dog.
Its anti-cancer antioxidant properties make it a great choice, and it also helps strengthen your dog’s immune system so they can fend off illnesses and infections without any veterinary help.
Several days before giving it to your dog, prepare some decaffeinated green tea.
Do you need answers about adding green tea to your dog’s diet? Talk to a vet now to get your burning questions answered.