The Benefits of Green Tea for Dogs
If you have looked over the Stay Loyal ingredients (and we hope you have!), you may have noticed “green tea” is one of them. Did this surprise you? You may have thought that tea would not be good for dogs. Or maybe you just never really thought of it as a “dog food” and therefore were just surprised for that reason.
Well, we don’t put anything in our dog food without reason.
Food Benefits of Green Tea
Green Tea is an excellent source of antioxidants, alkaloids, vitamins A, D, E, C, B, B5, H and K, manganese and other beneficial minerals such as zinc, chromium and selenium!
Antioxidants, as you may well know, are what helps prevent and fight cancer. Green tea has been associated with inhibiting certain types of tumors including cancers of stomach, gall bladder, prostate, uterus, lung, intestine, colon, rectum and pancreas.
It also lowers blood cholesterol and inhibits breast cancer. And of course, it can help with digestive upsets. Green tea is absorbed into all body tissues, but it concentrates in the liver and digestive tract, which explains why most of the parts of the dog that benefit are in that area of the body.
Feeding Green Tea
Some veterinarians recommend green tea supplements for dogs that have cancer or need additional antioxidants. If you are interested in green tea supplements, ask your veterinarian about them to find out if they are right for your pet. You do not need a prescription for them, but it’s always good to get a vet opinion.
Like all teas, green tea accumulates heavy metals, fluorides and other toxins from the soil and water it is grown in. So, it’s best to know where the green tea is coming from that you are giving your dog. If you are buying tea bags, look for organic products. Also look for naturally decaffeinated varieties for your dog. If you are buying a food or treat with green tea in it, make sure the company sources responsibly.
Topical Benefits of Green Tea
Of course, green tea can also be used topically on your dog. Steep a cup of green tea and then let it cool. Use this to clean your pet’s ears. You can also put a cold tea bag on hot spots and mouth sores to soothe them. You can even add green tea your dog’s shampoo if he has especially dry or itchy skin.
Now you see why we have added green tea or our Stay Loyal dog food. When ingested, it’s a powerhouse of anti-cancer agents that help your dog stay heathy. For a closer look at our ingredients, read here.
