While tea has been a staple beverage for centuries, many new varieties keep coming up. One is matcha, a traditional Japanese drink gaining popularity because of its high nutritional value.
As green tea is known for its various health benefits for humans, some pet owners may be curious if it is safe to share with their dogs. As a responsible pet parent, it’s important to ensure that any food or drink offered to your dog is safe for their consumption.
Yes, matcha tea is safe for your dog and contains antioxidants. However, too much of it might harm canines as it can cause caffeine poisoning.
Let’s dive deeper into it, and we’ll help you understand everything about matcha tea and dogs to help you make the best decision for your furry friend.
Is Matcha Safe For Dogs?
The matcha green tea comes from the leaves of the plant Camellia sinensis. The same species of tea creates other popular teas, like black tea, oolong, and many other green teas. Matcha is generally safe for dogs, provided the quantity is controlled.
Matcha has much higher levels of antioxidants and contains essential vitamins and minerals that are very healthy for people and can benefit dogs in small amounts.
Your four-legged companion can also enjoy the many advantages of this green tea with you. When done right, it can positively impact the dog’s health if given with care.
Can Matcha Offer Any Health Benefits To Dogs?
Yes, there are numerous benefits of matcha that not only you but your pet dog can also enjoy if you give it in moderation.
Here are some advantages of matcha tea:
1. Improves Bone Health
Research has proven matcha beneficial for bones, especially for old dogs, as they are more prone to weak bone health or osteoarthritis. The study was conducted on a mix of dog breeds for three months.
The dogs who received treats with green tea extract daily experienced reduced pain and significant movement improvement, whether standing up or lying down.
2. Reduces the Risks of Skin Issues
Matcha can also help take care of the most common issue dogs, and dog owners face – dandruff. It is a skin condition that happens when a dog’s skin is too dry or oily, leading to itching.
Luckily, matcha can help alleviate this condition in your furry friend. Giving matcha to your dog orally or topically can soothe and calm irritated skin.
The antifungal and antimicrobial properties of matcha can also fight mites and bacteria found on your dog’s coat and help control dandruff. Moreover, green tea comes packed with vitamins E and C, which can nourish dry skin and boost collagen production.
3. Helps Maintain Weight
Dogs are also prone to excessive weight gain, much like humans. An overweight dog can also suffer from high blood pressure, unhealthy levels of cholesterol, and many other health issues.
Although it is not a weight-loss tool, studies show that matcha green tea can assist a dog in maintaining a healthy weight if it’s prone to gaining weight, thereby reducing blood pressure and even improving cholesterol levels.
4. Prevents Cancer
If you have an old dog suffering from cancer or think it is possible to develop it, you can consult a veterinarian about supplementing matcha.
It has high antioxidant levels that can make it beneficial for protecting your canine pet from cancer. Green tea has cancer-fishing properties, and when given to dogs with food, it is an excellent herbal medicine that can combat cancer.
5. Improves Behavior
Dogs often have behavioral issues; they can be hyperactive or even suffer from anxiety and depression. Here matcha green tea can help calm them down. It helps boost serotonin and dopamine levels in canines to help alleviate stress and anxiety.
6. Nourishes the Coat
Green tea, like matcha, can help promote hair growth in humans and dogs alike. It can stimulate hair growth and make their coat healthy, shiny, and lustrous. You can use it topically to improve your dog’s skin health.
You can mix matcha green tea powder in a bucket with shampoo and water to give your dog a bath.
Are there any Side Effects of Giving Matcha to Dogs?
Although matcha is beneficial, it contains caffeine, which is a stimulant. If your dog consumes large amounts of it, it can lead to caffeine toxicity and induce side effects like:
- Panting
- Vomiting
- Agitation
- Restlessness
- Hyperactivity
Matcha is also a diuretic that may cause your furry friend to urinate more and can even clash with your dog’s medication.
Why is Caffeine Harmful to Your Canine?
Caffeine, no matter the amount, is toxic for a dog. And that’s why vets suggest you avoid giving chocolates, coffee, liqueurs, black teas, and even sodas to your pet dogs.
Animals like dogs and cats are susceptible to caffeine even more than humans. Consuming caffeine can raise blood pressure and cause cardiac arrhythmia. The amount of caffeine ingested and your dog’s size and health can determine the toxicity level.
Caffeine can also damage organs like the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, and central nervous system. So you must be extremely careful about how much matcha you give to your dog.
How can you Give Matcha to Your Dog?
If you want to give matcha to your four-legged friend, you must do it the right way to maximize the benefits of this green tea. You can opt for any of the following methods to incorporate matcha into your dog’s daily diet:
1. As Powder- Mix A Pinch With Their Diet
Matcha is most commonly available in powder form and tea bags. Dogs can eat matcha as a part of their diet but only in small quantities. If your dog doesn’t enjoy the natural flavor of matcha, you can add a pinch of the powder to their food or daily treats to mask the taste.
2. As Tea- To Keep Your Furry Friend Hydrated
Another great way to give this herbal tea to your dog is by steeping it. You can start by making a small quantity of the tea in cold water and letting it soak for about 15 minutes, and you can mix the tea with your dog’s food.
3. As Topical Mask- For A Smooth And Shiny Coat
You can also apply matcha directly to the dog’s skin for skin-related issues, such as dandruff, and to improve their coat.
How Much Matcha Can You Give To Dogs?
When deciding the dose of matcha serving for your dog, it is best to consult with your veterinarian. They will help you find the optimum quantity, keeping in mind the size of your dog and its health condition.
To be safe and avoid toxicity, you must first be aware of the quantity of caffeine present in the matcha green powder. Consuming 63 mg of caffeine/lb for dogs can prove toxic.
Matcha can have 35 mg of caffeine in a gram. A safe dosage would be 1 gram of matcha mixed well in the dog’s food or diluted and steeped in cool water. If your pet dog weighs 20 pounds, you can combine a gram of matcha or even one cup of steeped matcha in their food.
- Small Dog: Add ⅛ cup of green tea to their food twice daily.
- Medium To Large Dog: Mix ½ of a cup with breakfast and dinner daily
- Extra Large Dog: Add 1 cup twice daily with the dog’s food.
How not to Give Matcha to Dogs?
Matcha tea is safe for your dog, but that doesn’t imply that you can feed your pet anything that contains matcha. There are a few foods containing matcha that can be harmful to your dog, and they are:
1. Matcha Cake
Your dog will be delighted to munch on matcha cakes, but sadly, they aren’t safe. These cakes may contain ingredients such as artificial flavors that may not suit your pet. If consumed in higher quantities, matcha cakes can cause diarrhea and vomiting.
2. Matcha Cookies
Cookies tend to have higher quantities of sugar and many other ingredients that can be unfavorable for your dog. So you cannot feed matcha cookies to your canine friend.
Even though matcha cookies don’t contain baking powder or baking soda, you should not give them to your dogs. They can have side effects that are dangerous to their health, causing extreme abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Matcha Should I Give To My Small Dog?
If you have a small breed dog like a beagle or pom, you should only give them ⅛ cup of matcha twice a day mixed with their food. Small dogs are more susceptible to side effects; therefore, it is essential to do it right and ensure their safety.
Can Matcha Help With Arthritis In Your Dog?
Yes, matcha has anti-inflammatory properties that can prove helpful for arthritis and even cancer in canines. It can also improve the overall bone health of your dog.
What Other Types Of Tea Can Dogs Consume?
Your dog can consume any tea with a low level of caffeine. You can give ginger tea, chamomile tea, and even peppermint tea. These herbal teas have many health benefits and are safe for consumption.
Final Thoughts
In summation, green teas like matcha are safe for your dog if given in moderation. Whether you add the powder to their food, mix the steeped matcha tea into their diet, or even apply it topically, it can help improve the health of your canine.
However, the most important thing you must ensure is that you only give the proper dosage to prevent caffeine poisoning.
You can visit your vet to determine the correct method and amount of matcha you can give your furry friend. They will be able to provide you with the right suggestion while keeping in mind your dog’s size, health status, and needs.
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Ankita is a passionate pet lover and head of content at Pet Food Brands. With her extensive knowledge and research, she provides pet owners with top-quality information on dog food and nutrition. Her dedication to improving the lives of dogs makes her a leading voice in the industry.
