Me and my flatmate (whose cat it is) drink a lot of tea, and we recently found out that our kitten (three months old) likes to steal some of it for herself. Since sugar isn't good for cats, we poured some un-sugared tea (just barely enough to cover the bottom) in a cup and put on the floor for her.
The only tea she seems to like, however, is Rooibos Vanilla. We tried other teas, but she sniffed them and then didn't bother.
We've been a little worried, since tea contains caffeine (which isn't at all good for cats), but I heard from someone that red teas don't contain caffeine.
Does anyone here know if ROOIBOS VANILLA contains caffeine, or if it is dangerous for cats because of something else? What about other teas, in case we find out there's another kind she also likes?
2006-12-04 22:03:21 · 9 answers · asked by chibs 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
Edit: Ok, so this question is now TEN YEARS OLD, it doesn't require any more answers. Thank you.
2016-07-20 13:25:32 · update #1
Hi there...if the tea contains caffeine it would not be safe. Tea is considered a diuretic and this could dehydrate cats as well.
Caffeine causes the following symptoms: tachycardia, tachypnea, hyperexcitability, tremors, seizures, premature ventricular beats. Dilatation of coronary, pulmonary, and systemic vessels may cause congestion or hemorrhage. The lethal dose for caffeine is 150 mg/kg for cats.
No antidote exists; treatment is supportive. Emesis is used and may be effective even after several (4 to 6) hours have passed since ingestion; gastric lavage is useful if emesis is only partially productive or contraindicated. Activated charcoal is useful and can significantly decrease the half-life of theobromine. Diazepam is used to control tremors, anxiety, or seizures. Bradycardia is treated with atropine; tachycardias are treated with lidocaine, metoprolol, or propranolol. The urinary bladder should be catheterized to prevent reabsorption of theobromine through bladder mucosa. Fluids are given as part of supportive treatment.
http://www.peteducation.com:80/article.cfm?cls=1&cat=1935&articleid=2238
[edit] ROOIBOS VANILLA is considered caffeine free. I cannot find anything in the veterinary forums about Rooibos (also known as redbush) if it's safe or not. It's always best to not serve any human food or liquids to cats unless specified otherwise on label or by a vet. Many human foods contains ingredients which are toxic to cats. Here's a list of some human foods which should be avoided: http://www.peteducation.com:80/article.cfm?cls=0&cat=1276&articleid=1029
2006-12-04 22:13:54 · answer #1 · answered by ♪ Seattle ♫ 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Well I don't know if Rooibos has caffeine, but I wouldn't let her drink anything other than water. Not only will it be the safest thing to do but also, since she's still very young, it will stop any behavior problems that may come up later. My cat also loved tea and I thought it was the cutest thing so I let him drink decaf, now that he's older he's got it in him to drink whatever he wants or try whatever he wants and it's gotten him into quite a mess sometimes, I keep an eye on him but I'm not home all the time either. He's wound up sick because he tipped over a sprite can and drank the whole thing, it wasn't pretty and never learned his lesson. Stop her habit now, as always it's better to be safe than sorry.
2006-12-10 14:49:51 · answer #2 · answered by Danielle 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I many times will leave my green tea sit while I go do something else and often find our cat lapping away when I get back. He has been doing this for years and he is 21 years young. I say at this age he can drink what he wants to, it obviously hasn t hurt him so far!
2016-01-05 09:53:20 · answer #3 · answered by ? 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Cats just really like tea.I've owned and been around many cats in my life and all of them, with the exception of one, have always gone after an unguarded tea glass.
2016-03-13 03:36:14 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Kittens And Tea
2016-12-11 15:58:32 · answer #5 · answered by bybee 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My cat companion has started to lap up my chilled green roobios tea. She is a good water drinker and has three bowls strategically situated - feeding stations - snack packs - anyways, I woke up one night to hear her lapping up my glass of cool tea. No sugar, no cream. She is 15 years old and has good habits. This may be a treat. She is drinking it out of a glass.
2015-11-30 14:42:46 · answer #6 · answered by ? 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As long as the tea is decaffeinated it's ok.
2006-12-05 01:38:09 · answer #7 · answered by redbass 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is dangerous for her.
2006-12-12 09:39:42 · answer #8 · answered by cats18 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask your vet!
2006-12-12 21:45:32 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋