Does your dog or cat try to sneak a sip of your morning tea? Ever wonder if you should offer your pet its own cup? According to Dog Behaviorist and Canine Holistic Wellness Advisor, Karen Rosenfeld, you not only can but should give your pets their own cup of tea.

“Tisanes can be antibacterial, antifungal, antispasmodic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and even an antidepressant,” said Rosenfeld. “It is just amazing what tea offers for our pets.”

To optimize the health benefits of a tisane, choose organic when available or use fresh herbs from your garden. In addition, pay careful attention to the size of your pet, adjusting the dose accordingly. Rosenfeld recommends 1/16 teaspoon of dried herbs for dogs and cats that are up to 10 pounds and no more than 2 teaspoons for dogs over 100 pounds. As far as teas to avoid, black and caffeinated green tea should never be given to pets. Caffeine can be extremely toxic for your four-legged friend.

Rosenfeld recommends tea to most of her holistic clients and offers a cup of tea to her pooches on a daily basis, brewing either decaffeinated green tea or rooibos. The tea is cooled then poured directly on top of their food. The benefits of rooibos tea for pets are similar to those in humans, offering a boost to their immune systems. Rooibos also works wonders, shares Rosenfeld, for those pets that are suffering from skin allergies and anxiety.

Decaffeinated green tea and its extract may assist with a variety of ailments in pets, from treating cancer to assisting with bad breath. “Green tea is fantastic for dogs, providing that you are using decaffeinated and to adjunct the antioxidant properties of the green tea, you should use fresh lemon juice,” said Rosenfeld. She recommends using green tea for everything from topically treating an eye infection (3 to 5 drops in the eye) to cleaning your pet with a green tea body wash. However, the ASPCA recommends using green tea with caution, advising that even with decaffeinated blends; some pets may experience stomach pain.

Wary about giving your pet green tea? Have no fear, other herbs can be just as beneficial. Chamomile (either the tea or flower) is wonderful for reducing anxiety and also to topically treat eye infections. Meanwhile warming ginger root, either as tea or placed directly in food, can help relieve nausea and improve vascular circulation. This is particularly beneficial to dogs with short fur that may be sensitive to cooler nights. In fact, she regularly gives ginger root to her boxer Robbie, adding the root to his daily salad.

“Tisanes are a valuable nutraceutical for dogs,” said Rosenfeld. “If you choose not to give them, you will lose access to some amazing health benefits.” Whether you choose to make your own or buy a blend created for pets, take the time to share a cup with your pet today.

Cautionary Note: When using herbs as part of a treatment plan, it is important to check for any potential interactions with medications. In addition, always double check with your veterinarian to make sure that both the herbs and dosage are safe for your pet to consume.

Green tea is the least oxidized of all the tea categories. It can also be the trickiest to brew correctly. The most important factors to keep in mind are temperature and time. Green tea requires lower temperature water because too much heat can trigger the release of tannins, causing your brew to become bitter and unpalatable. Also, letting the leaves stay in the water for too long has a similar effect. Whether you choose a traditional eastern style or western method, knowing the basics will help you to find your way.

Eastern

Traditional methods used in China and Japan generally call for a larger amount of leaf, a smaller amount of water and short steep times. Vessels can be small glass pitchers or clay side-handled teapots but the basic principles are the same. The volume of leaf used can vary but a good rule of thumb is to cover at least the bottom of whatever vessel you are brewing in. The steaming process gives Japanese teas a more deeply vegetal taste so you’ll want to stick with temperatures between 140 and 175°F. Steep times are rarely longer than two minutes for these teas.

Chinese green teas aren’t quite as delicate so the recommended water temperatures will range from 170 to about 200°F. Steep times will stay around two to three minutes. Another option that is very popular in China is to drink your tea “grandpa” style. All you’ll need to do is use a bit less leaf and slightly lower temperature water. Fill a glass with water and use your teeth as a strainer. Just refill it as you go to avoid bitterness.

Western

The general rule for western style brewing is one teaspoon of leaves per cup of water. Your leaves should never be steeped longer than three or four minutes. It’s best to use teapots or cups that are made out of thinner mediums such as porcelain or fine ceramics. Thicker materials like cast iron will retain too much heat. You may also want to leave the lid off while steeping to avoid steaming the leaves. If making a single cup, open basket style steepers work best as these will allow your leaves to expand without restriction.

Most importantly, there is no right or wrong way to make tea. What really matters most is that you enjoy the taste of what is in your cup.