Cats and Tea: Why Caffeine Is a No-Go

Cats should not drink tea or other caffeinated beverages. Caffeine is toxic to cats even in small amounts. An average 8-pound cat can develop toxicity from about 80 mg of caffeine, roughly 10 mg per pound of body weight. That amount is less than two cups of black tea, which contains about 40-50 mg of caffeine per 8-ounce cup.

Sweet tea, iced tea, chai, and black tea all contain caffeine and tannins, making them unsafe for cats. The only tea generally considered safe in very small, diluted amounts is certain cooled herbal teas without caffeine, such as chamomile, dandelion root, calendula, or catnip. Plain, decaffeinated, unsweetened green tea is not recommended, and decaf black or green tea still contains trace caffeine and tannins that can upset a cat’s stomach.

Coffee is also unsafe. Decaffeinated coffee still contains theobromine and trace caffeine, both of which can sicken felines. Adding water to a cat’s kibble is a simple alternative to encouraging fluid intake.

If a cat licks a sip of coffee, tea, or soda, it is unlikely to cause poisoning in most pets, but owners should watch for symptoms of caffeine toxicity. These include hyperactivity, restlessness, agitation, heavy panting, drooling, vomiting or diarrhea, shakiness or tremors, seizures, increased heart rate, elevated body temperature, raised blood pressure, and unconsciousness. Signs appear within 30-60 minutes of ingestion. Call a veterinarian if any symptoms occur.

Owners should keep cats away from the preparation area or storage of caffeinated beverages, coffee grounds, tea bags, or supplements, as ingestion of these can cause serious toxicity.

Key takeaways

• Caffeine is toxic to cats; 80 mg can cause toxicity in an 8-lb cat.
• Sweet tea, iced tea, chai, and black tea are unsafe.
• Only very small, diluted herbal teas without caffeine are considered safe.
• Decaf coffee and decaf tea still contain harmful substances.
• Watch for caffeine-toxicity symptoms within 30-60 minutes and seek veterinary care if they appear.

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Originally reported by iHeartCats. Read the full article.

Cover photo by Little Lighthouse via Pexels.