Can Dogs Have Matcha? What You Need To Know

Before you share anything made with it, ask yourself, “can dogs have matcha?” Keep reading to learn about matcha powder and dogs.

It’s made from whole ingredients, but it contains caffeine. So it’s understandable if you’re confused about whether matcha is safe for your furry friend. Keep reading to learn more about whether you should add matcha to your dog’s diet.

For ultimate pet safety, please ask your vet any questions you have regarding your dog eating matcha.

What Is Matcha?

Matcha is a fine powder made by grinding up green tea leaves from the camellia sinensis plant. This green tea powder originated in Japan as part of their cultural ceremonies. Today, it’s used as an ingredient in lattes, ice cream, and more.

When people drink matcha tea, they add the green powder directly into a cup with hot water. This means that the various health benefits of green tea are more bioavailable in matcha.

This fine powder is known to offer a lot of health benefits to us humans. It is high in antioxidants (which fight free radicals that cause disease). It’s also known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Many people will drink it to help with high blood pressure.

Since they come from the same plant, the benefits of matcha and the health benefits of green tea often overlap.

Can Dogs Eat Matcha

Pet owners, you might have heard that matcha is good for your dog’s immune system, but you might also be worried about whether matcha has a toxic dose of caffeine. You’re right to be worried.

According to veterinarians, it’s best not to give your dog matcha without consulting a veterinarian. Since dogs are more sensitive to caffeine, even small quantities of matcha powder could cause negative health effects.

There are some benefits of matcha, but it’s too easy to give your dog too much of it, so you should work out the dosage with your dog’s vet.

It’s best not to give your dog any type of green tea on your own. And whenever you share anything with your dog, think about the caffeine content.

Dogs that consume too much caffeine might experience an increased heart rate, weight loss, or a bunch of other symptoms.

Is Matcha Bad For Dogs

Dogs should not eat green tea powder alone or as an ingredient in other types of food. It can be safe if you give your dog the correct dosage, but this must be worked out with a veterinarian.

Matcha isn’t bad for dogs unless your dog consumes too much of it. So, to keep your dog safe, don’t try to guess how much to give your canine companions.

Some pet owners will add matcha green tea powder to dog food – but don’t give your dog too much of it or else they could experience caffeine toxicity.

Benefits of Matcha For Dogs

There are potential benefits of matcha for dogs. Remember, these benefits are only possible if you give your dog the safe amount for their size. And to find that out, work with your dog’s veterinarian.

Matcha is known to reduce inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. It also contains essential vitamins and nutrients, like amino acids, and is a powerful antioxidant. It can also help reduce your dog’s risk for heart disease and contains a high amount of vitamin C.

As a dog owner, it’s important you keep matcha away from your pet. Only give them a controlled amount that you know is safe. Large quantities of caffeine can cause dangerous side effects.

Is Green Tea Extract Safe For Dogs

It’s important to understand the difference between matcha and green tea extract. Matcha is made by grinding green tea leaves into a powder. Green tea extract is more concentrated because it is only the polyphenols from the plant – the rest of the tea leaves aren’t used.

Dogs should not eat or consume green tea extract or any food containing this ingredient.

How Much Matcha Can Dogs Have

Green tea can be used as a dietary supplement for dogs. Matcha is a fine powder that is more potent than regular green tea. There are about 19–44 mg of caffeine per gram of matcha. Comparatively, there are 30-50 mg of caffeine in an 8-ounce (230-ml) cup of green tea.

As you can see, matcha is much more concentrated, and so it’s much more dangerous. This leads to two common questions:

Can dogs drink matcha? How much green tea can dogs drink?

To avoid excessive consumption of caffeine, follow the recommendations from Bow Bottom Vet. They suggest diluting it a lot and then adding 1/2 a cup to your dog’s food twice a day.

It’s better for dogs to drink a little bit of herbal teas than to consume anything with caffeine. Remember, too much caffeine could cause health issues with your dog. So, if your dog has a medical condition, always ask your vet before giving them green tea.

Food With Matcha

Do not give your dog large amounts of any of the following human foods made with matcha.

Matcha Ice Cream – This has a high sugar content that is bad for dogs.
Matcha Green Tea – This contains too much caffeine for dogs.
Matcha Powder – This is much too concentrated for dogs.
Matcha Latte – This has way too much caffeine, from the coffee and the green tea leaves.
Matcha Pocky – This might give your dog an upset stomach from the processed ingredients.
Matcha Cake – This is unsafe for dogs due to the high sugar content.
Matcha Cookies – This is also unsafe for dogs due to the high sugar content.

Always keep your dog away from any matcha products with artificial sweeteners, especially xylitol which is toxic to dogs.

What Is Caffeine Toxicity In Dogs

Caffeine toxicity is a serious side effect of dogs consuming too much caffeine. Since caffeine is a stimulant, the side effects are easy to spot:

Increased Heart Rate
Hyperactivity
Jitteriness
Restlessness
Pacing
Vocalizing Anxiety

It can also cause higher blood pressure and cardiac arrhythmias or cause your dog to lose control of their muscle movements. In extreme cases, some dogs might even have tremors or seizures. In milder cases, dogs might have an upset stomach.

There are safer alternatives to matcha and powdered green tea, such as herbal teas and extremely diluted green tea.

Final Thoughts

For your dog to have a healthy life, talk to their vet before trying to give them any kind of supplements. This includes food and treats made with matcha. Dogs with health conditions should not consume caffeine.

At the end of the day, water is enough of a healthy drink for dogs.

More Dog Food Resources

What other human foods are safe for dogs? Here are some more resources about different spices and herbs dogs can and can’t eat:

Find lots of information about human food dogs can eat (and ones they can’t) here on Spoiled Hounds!

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