Do you drink tea? Have you ever wondered if this healthy, refreshing beverage is good for your cat? Or, maybe your cat just likes to steal drinks from your glass when you\u2019re not looking. (At our house, they usually take the straws, too).<\/p>\n
I am always trying to help my cats live happier, healthier lives. You probably know that tea is linked to a variety of health benefits for people. But, just because it is good for humans, does that mean it\u2019s good for cats too?<\/p>\n
In this article we\u2019ll cover the following;<\/p>\n
\u25cf Cats and Tea, What You Need to Know<\/p>\n
\u25cf Can Cats Drink Tea?<\/p>\n
\u25cf Can Kittens Drink Tea?<\/p>\n
\u25cf Benefits\/Drawbacks to Cats Drinking Tea<\/p>\n
\u25cf Artificial Sweeteners<\/p>\n
\u25cf Healthy Alternatives to Tea<\/p>\n
From green tea, to oolong, to sweet tea, there is a tea to suit everyone\u2019s taste. Recently, matcha<\/a>, made from the finely ground powder of specially grown and processed green tea leaves, has become increasingly popular.<\/p>\n In any case, all true teas come from the leaf of the Camellia sinensis<\/em> plant.<\/p>\n Tea leaves contain a variety of chemical compounds, including stimulants such caffeine, theobromine and theophylline, xanthines, and antioxidants called polyphenols. People often drink tea just for its refreshing effect and some of the chemicals in tea have been shown to have beneficial effects in humans<\/a>. But, what about cats?<\/p>\n Some cats like to take a nip of tea every now and then. As you\u2019ll see in the video below, this cat loves dipping the paw right in and takes a sip.<\/p>\n Drinking small amounts, as our friend was doing, likely isn\u2019t an issue. But ingesting large quantities of tea could lead to serious health problems for your cat because of the chemical compounds found in tea.<\/p>\n For example, caffeine consumption can cause cats to experience hyperactivity, restlessness, vomiting, elevated heart rate, elevated blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, tremors, and elevated body temperature. In severe cases, seizures and collapse can occur. In rare cases, death can even be a result<\/a>.<\/p>\n Another substance found in tea is theobromine, which is better known as the chemical in chocolate that causes toxicity in dogs. As cats do not have taste receptors for sweetness<\/a>, you don\u2019t often hear about chocolate poisoning in cats. However, cats are also affected and may even be more sensitive to theobromine than dogs<\/a>.<\/p>\n Theobromine can impact a cat\u2019s body in several ways including;<\/p>\n While most cats won\u2019t be harmed by drinking small amounts of tea, why risk your beloved pet\u2019s health by giving them something that contains chemicals known to be poisonous? If your cat asks for tea, just say, \u201cNO!\u201d<\/p>\n In general, the cat\u2019s liver lacks many of the enzymes other mammals have to break down potentially toxic substances. Kittens, with their still developing bodies, are even more sensitive to toxins than adult cats. For this reason alone, you should never let your kitten drink tea. Even in small amounts, it could still be toxic for their system.<\/p>\n Cats, like other mammals, need antioxidants in their diet. While the polyphenols in tea might supply a small amount of these healthful substances, the risks from other compounds in tea far outweigh any benefit. Moreover, some tea drinks, such as matcha, pack up to ten times the potency of brewed tea, making it much more dangerous, even in small amounts.<\/p>\n Sweetened tea and processed tea beverages often contain artificial sweeteners. This is especially true of those labeled as diet beverages. One sweetener in particular, Xylitol, could pose an extreme danger for cats.<\/p>\n While there have been few recorded cases of Xylitol poisonings in cats, toxicity is well known in dogs. When a dog ingests Xylitol<\/a>, its body mistakes the chemical for a massive dose of sugar and releases a huge flood of insulin from the pancreas, sending the dog into potentially lethal hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).<\/p>\n As mentioned in regards to chocolate, the cat\u2019s lack of taste receptors for sweetness make it less likely they would try to consume foods or drinks containing Xylitol, however, it is believed they may be even more sensitive than dogs to this artificial sweetener<\/p>\n Cats do well on a properly balanced diet from a quality brand. However, if you just have to have tea time with your cat, why not try catnip tea<\/a>?<\/p>\n If you\u2019re skeptical that catnip tea would be something that your cat would enjoy, the video below may end up changing your mind.<\/p>\n For people, drinking tea is a healthy choice. For cats, the risks associated with drinking tea far outweighs any slight health benefits due to the numerous chemical compounds in tea that are known to have adverse effects on cats. Tea can also contain artificial sweeteners and consumption of Xylitol by cats could lead to a true medical emergency.<\/p>\nCan Cats Drink Tea?<\/h2>\n
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Can Kittens Drink Tea?<\/h2>\n
Benefits\/Drawbacks to Cats Drinking Tea<\/h2>\n
Artificial Sweeteners<\/h2>\n
Healthy Alternatives to Tea<\/h2>\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n