Is Green Tea Good for Dogs and Cats? - Green Tea Quiz

We know that drinking green tea is beneficial to us humans for many reasons, such as weight loss, taking out toxins, being alert and calm, and many more. Pet lovers are asking if their pets, cats and dogs, can enjoy the goodness of green tea. As pet parents or pet best friends, we like to feed and pamper our furry friends within our means since they bring us joy and comfort. Since Catechins (the principal polyphenol compounds found in green tea) serve as antioxidants for us, we assume that the tea can work on pets too.

Can cats and dogs drink green tea?

According to this study, If your pet is fasting or does not have an appetite, it is not advisable to give them green tea because it will damage their liver and gastrointestinal organs because of toxicity. But wait, this study only applies to these pets, and the reason green tea is bad for them is that they don’t have enough food or toxins to flush out, and having antioxidants is too much for their bodies, but in general, green tea is still good for pets. Why? Let’s find out.

Green tea reduces inflammation in your dog's or cat’s liver and gastrointestinal tract. In addition, it protects them from pancreatic, colon, and stomach cancer. Helps in protecting the liver, provides pain relief for arthritis because of polyphenols, and may soothe the pain in gingivitis, mouth sores, and ulcers, preventing oral cavities and infections. Its effectiveness is concluded based on studies on a limited number of animals.

Also, giving cats L-theanine (an ingredient found in green tea) can help calm them down before giving them a bath.

Green tea can also be used to clean infected dog ears. Steep the green tea in hot water, let it cool a bit, spray a bit, or place a few drops on the inner ear, and let your dog shake off the excess. These are the reasons why green tea is still good for them, but how about the proper dosage for your beloved kitty and doggie? 

Green Tea Pet servings

Please consult a veterinarian first if you want to make sure that your pet can have a taste of your favorite green tea. If your cat or dog is okay with it, just provide organic decaffeinated green tea. According to Dr. Karen Shaw Becker’s article on Healthy Pets, steep the tea bag in 4 cups purified or clean water for 15 minutes, remove the teabag, and store the drink (preferably in a glass pitcher) in the fridge for up to 3 days. If it’s drinking time for your cute feline or canine friend, just serve the tea lukewarm or at room temperature. If your pet does not like drinking green tea, you can add small amounts to their morning and evening meals. For cats: 1 tbsp., small dogs: 1/8 cup, medium dogs: ¼ to ½ cup and large dogs: ½ to 1 cup.

In case green tea decaf is not available, just limit the green tea powder serving to small amounts, like less than 1 tablespoon.

We hope you can now ask your veterinarian to share the goodness of your green tea with your beloved pet. Cats and dogs will surely become healthier and more relaxed. As time goes on, you will both have a healthier and happier relationship.