Why?
Like coffee, tea contains caffeine, plus small amounts of theobromine and theophylline, stimulants that cats handle very poorly. They act on the heart and nervous system. Matcha and tea bags are more concentrated than a brewed cup. Tea with milk adds lactose, and sweet iced tea adds sugar.
How much?
No amount is recommended. Keep cups out of reach and throw used tea bags in a closed trash can.
The risks
- Restlessness and hyperactivity
- Racing heart
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Tremors, even seizures at high doses
- Swallowed tea bag: more concentrated caffeine, plus a blockage risk
Your cat ate some: what now?
If your cat drank a good amount of tea, chewed a tea bag or ate matcha powder, call your vet or an animal poison control center right away, without waiting for symptoms. Keep the packaging and don't try to make your cat vomit. For a lick from your cup, watch your cat closely for 24 hours.
Better options
Fresh water, changed every day, is still the best drink for your cat. Many cats prefer running water, like from a fountain.
Common questions
Can cats drink chamomile tea?
Not without your vet's advice. Even without caffeine, some herbs, chamomile included, appear on lists of plants toxic to cats. Fresh water is the only drink a cat needs.
Can cats drink green tea?
No. Green tea contains caffeine just like black tea, and matcha is even more concentrated. Green tea extracts and supplements aren't for cats either.
This information is general and does not replace advice from a veterinarian. If your cat has swallowed something toxic, call your vet or an animal poison control center right away, without waiting for symptoms.