Since summer is upon us, a lot of people are drinking matcha lattes or using matcha to add something new to their rotation. Some might even think about sharing it with their dogs.
If you're like me, you're probably wondering if matcha is safe for dogs or if it's something they should avoid. Oddly enough, the answer might surprise you if you're somone who doesn't drink matcha regularly but if you are, it probably would.
According to a post from Modern Vet, you shouldn't give your dogs matcha. The main reason is that matcha contains caffeine and even the smallest amount can be harmful to your four-legged friend. I knew that matcha was tea, but I didn't know much about it but that makes a lot of sense.
The article goes on to point out that if you do want to give some to your dog, it should be a caffeine-free variety thus to avoid any issues. Most notably, it could cause your dog to have caffeine toxicity which can result in seizures, hyper activity, and damage to your pup's internal organs.
Matcha isn't the only caffeinated item you should avoid giving your dog.
While Matcha is the item we are focusing on, an article from VCA Animal Hospitals points out that a lot of other items have caffeine that you might not think about. Firstly, we all know that coffee has caffeine and dogs shouldn't be drinking it otherwise. The same goes for chocolate and chocolate-covered coffee beans.
However, you want to make sure your pup doesn't accidentally end up drinking any of your favorite sports drinks, energy drinks, or sodas. Another item you might not think about is giving your dog coffee ice cream. Honestly, that isn't one I've ever thought of or would even consider when it comes to giving my dog a little treat.
Of course, most of us also know to keep items such as caffeine pills, diet pills, and coffee grounds out of the reach of our pets. If your pets do end up ingesting a lot of caffeine or accidentally getting into something, it's best to reach out to your vet ASAP to ensure they're safe and healthy.