It’s not a hidden fact that dogs are curious creatures. Thus, as pet owners, it won’t be surprising to see our dogs eating the things they shouldn’t. They would even go to the extent of eating even what is toxic for them, as long as they can reach it. Among these things are tea bags.
So you may ask: my dog ate tea bag: what should I do now? The first thing you need to do is contact a vet right away. Unlike other things, a tea bag contains caffeine, which can be lethal for dogs. If your dog is a small one and swallows a tea bag, take it to the vet right away. Also, observe your pet for caffeine poisoning symptoms after eating the item.
Dogs are curious animals that would eat anything they can reach. While it’s alright from time to time, some items just pose a threat to their lives.
For instance, tea bags contain tea extracts, which are high in caffeine. As a pet owner, you probably already know that caffeine can be lethal for dogs, even in small amounts. Moreover, the tea bag itself can cause an intestinal blockage.
In this article, I included some tips and what you need to do if it happens. This way, you can be ready if your pet starts eating such a thing.
My Dog Ate a Tea Bag…should I Be Worried?
Tea isn’t always harmful to dogs, but it does affect them and, in some cases, can lead to serious health problems. If your beloved canine companion has swallowed a tea bag, it’s best to err on the side of caution and consult your veterinarian. When you call, your pet’s healthcare provider will probably want to know your dog’s breed, when it ate the caffeine, and if the dog is showing any symptoms.
Not sure what a caffeine overdose looks like in dogs? Here are some signs to watch for.
More serious problems arise if your dog has caffeine poisoning. Symptoms include:
If the tea is negatively affecting your dog, one or more of these signs will manifest within an hour or two of ingestion. Some of these symptoms can be hard to spot. If your dog is constantly bouncing off the walls to begin with, you may not notice when its energy goes up a few more notches. It usually takes the expertise of a professional to diagnose canine hypertension.
To be proactive about detoxing your dog as soon as possible, the vet may recommend getting your dog to vomit, which is a task not taken lightly, so if your vet suggests this, you should bring your dog to the clinic or animal hospital as soon as possible. Even if the tea’s chemical properties don’t harm your pet, the bag can cause blockages in the digestive tract. In that case, a veterinarian may decide an endoscopy or even surgery is the best option. When bringing your pet in, take the tea box with you if possible so the vet can see the ingredients.
If you can’t track down your vet, there’s a Pet Poison Hotline you can call.
Steps to Take if Your Dog Eats a Tea Bag
First things first: don’t panic and call your vet. Be ready to give them the following information:
In some cases, you may have to make a visit to your vet. The vet may want to provoke vomiting, which is best left to the professionals. In more complicated situations, endoscopy or surgery may be required.
Can’t get ahold of your vet? The Pet Poison Hotline is your next best resource.
Prevent your pet from eating more tea bags.
The last thing you’ll want is for your pet to eat more of this product. Thus, you should remove any remnants from the area.
Dogs usually find such things in trash bins and dining areas. More likely, they may find it in the cups you leave in the sink.
Wherever the product came from, ensure the area is secure and no more remnants.
Understanding what happened is crucial in this kind of situation. Since tea bags can be lethal, it would be best to gather all the information you can get. This way, you can give it to the vet for a more accurate and quicker diagnosis.
Tea bags can be lethal, even in small amounts. Thus, it can turn into quite a danger if ingested in large quantities.
Here are a few questions that you need to answer and understand from the scene.
Getting such information would make you understand how worse the incident is. Moreover, it will help you report what happened if you visit the vet and ask about what happened.
FAQ
How much tea is toxic to dogs?
Can tea be toxic to dogs?