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Last Updated on February 13, 2024 by Thee Puppypreneur
CAN DOGS HAVE GREEN TEA
OHHH WHOA IS ME GREEN TEA!
Is green tea bad for dogs? Well by the time your are done reading the facts in this article you can decide whether green tea is bad for dogs or not.
The green tea for dogs fad reminds me of when everyone went crazy for avocado toast. Everyone either wants to put green tea or activated charcoal or coconut oil or some new “it” ingredient in their dog treats or dog food.
This new and unique ingredient separates them from the pack…for the moment. Until almost every dog food manufacturer wants to add this “it” ingredient to their products.
Unique ingredients that seem herbal and fresh and different are not always beneficial to your beloved pup. You may not realize it until it’s too late.
IS GREEN TEA BAD FOR DOGS
GREEN TEA FOR DOGS = NO GO … for my fur child and it should be a no go for you too and let me enlighten you as to why.
FYI companies love to put green tea as the last ingredient on the list, so keep your eyes peeled.
We can sit here and talk about the benefits of green tea for humans but the reality is green tea is a stimulant and it contains caffeine. Caffeine is toxic to dogs.
“Caffeine is a methylxanthine alkaloid with a reported canine oral median lethal dose (MLD (50)) of 140 mg/kg (range 120-200 mg/kg).” 1Tawde, S. N., Puschner, B., Albin, T., Stump, S., & Poppenga, R. H. (2012). Death by caffeine: presumptive malicious poisoning of a dog by incorporation in ground meat. Journal of medical toxicology : official journal of the American College of Medical Toxicology, 8(4), 436–440. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13181-012-0254-y
Yes, green tea is natural but even in dog products like shampoos where dogs can absorb the product through their skin it could be toxic in the wrong dose.
If it’s in their food, their shampoo, their treats and you dont realize it in all these products your are feeding or using.
So, if your dog can get Cushing’s disease from topical steroids being applied to their skin, then yes, your dog can absorb the green tea through their skin and potentially have adverse effects.
BENEFITS OF GREEN TEA FOR DOGS
Yes, green tea is an antioxidant but not every herb or food we consume should be given to dogs. As they aren’t always able to metabolize things the same way our human bodies can.
SIDE EFFECTS OF GREEN TEA FOR DOGS AND WHY IS GREEN TEA BAD FOR DOGS
In a study where dogs were given green tea extract and 0mg, 200mg, 500mg and 1000mg the study had to be stopped 6.5 months into it due to dogs becoming seriously ill and dying. 2Kapetanovic, I. M., Crowell, J. A., Krishnaraj, R., Zakharov, A., Lindeblad, M., & Lyubimov, A. (2009). Exposure and toxicity of green tea polyphenols in fasted and non-fasted dogs. Toxicology, 260(1-3), 28–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tox.2009.03.007
Now these dogs were fasted but another study was done with dogs that were not fasted and
“Dosing in a fed state resulted in considerably lower and less variable exposure than found under fasted conditions.” 3Kapetanovic, I. M., Crowell, J. A., Krishnaraj, R., Zakharov, A., Lindeblad, M., & Lyubimov, A. (2009). Exposure and toxicity of green tea polyphenols in fasted and non-fasted dogs. Toxicology, 260(1-3), 28–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tox.2009.03.007
So yes, there are still adverse effects from green tea extract being administered to dogs.
In another wonderful study on dogs given green tea extract, what was supposed to be a 9-month study ended on day 17 due to;
“some unique dose-limiting lethal liver, gastrointestinal, and renal toxicities.” 4Wu, K. M., Yao, J., & Boring, D. (2011). Green tea extract-induced lethal toxicity in fasted but not in nonfasted dogs. International journal of toxicology, 30(1), 19–20. https://doi.org/10.1177/1091581810387445
There was another study done on dogs that were not fasted again and this time they were given 50-500mg/kg per day 5Wu, K. M., Yao, J., & Boring, D. (2011). Green tea extract-induced lethal toxicity in fasted but not in nonfasted dogs. International journal of toxicology, 30(1), 19–20. https://doi.org/10.1177/1091581810387445 now the results of that study were deemed as unremarkable meaning that none of the above-mentioned issues were noted.
That study was only done for 13 weeks but just because there was nothing remarkable to be found in 13 weeks doesn’t mean that something could not potentially occur a year down the road.
CAN DOGS HAVE GREEN TEA FINAL THOUGHTS
So, final thoughts. Yes, green tea for dogs is in many dog products and dog food products now. I have given you the information on green tea and you will do with it what you please but it is in hopes that you are well informed of the potential adverse and fatal effects of this product.
Check out our other articles for more information on other foods you might be already be feeding your furbaby and discover their health benefits and potential hidden dangers;
CAN DOGS EAT BANANAS? HEALTH BENEFITS AND 1 NEW DANGER OF FEEDING YOUR DOG BANANAS
