Chamomile tea is very well known for its calming effect and as a way to ease different kinds of pain. Perhaps it’s worked wonders on you and your family, and you’re wondering if it might help your anxious dog?
Is chamomile tea safe for your dog to drink? The good news is that chamomile is generally considered safe for dogs when used in appropriately small, veterinary-guided amounts, provided you consult your vet and ensure your pup isn’t allergic to plants in the Asteraceae family.
Beneficial Chamomile
Chamomile has historically been used as far back as 1550 BC in ancient Egypt for soothing discomfort and was found in creams, incenses, and as tea. There are two different varieties of chamomile: German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), that is native to Asia and Europe and is called false chamomile, and Roman or English chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) that is native to North Africa and Western Europe, named the true chamomile. Both plants contain similar calming compounds, but veterinary herbal references most commonly describe German chamomile in canine use. If you would like to learn more about these two different types of chamomile, you can read more about them here.
Chamomile is known for having multiple well-documented human health benefits, such as:
- Reducing mild inflammation
- Supporting gastrointestinal comfort
- Providing gentle calming effects
- Helping with mild skin irritation when applied topically
Important Safety Note for Pet Parents:
Although chamomile is widely used in humans, dogs metabolize herbal compounds differently, and not all human uses translate directly to pets. While chamomile is generally considered safe for dogs, it should always be introduced cautiously. Dogs allergic to plants in the Asteraceae family (such as ragweed or chrysanthemums) may be more likely to react, and chamomile can interact with medications, including sedatives, blood-thinners, and drugs processed by the liver. Pregnant, nursing, medically fragile, or very young dogs require special caution, as their systems can be more sensitive to herbal products. Always speak with your veterinarian before offering chamomile. Start with very small amounts, and monitor your dog closely for vomiting, diarrhea, skin irritation, or changes in breathing or behavior.
Chamomile Tea for Dogs
Chamomile can be given orally to your dog in different forms, including liquid, powder, capsule, and tea. It can also be applied to your dog’s skin as a cream, oil, or salve. Similar to humans, chamomile has a number of health benefits for your dog when used appropriately and under veterinary guidance.
It can be used as a:
- Muscle relaxant
- Sedative
- Method to treat mild anxiety
- Supportive option for mild gastrointestinal problems
- Way to soothe localized inflammation and swollen skin
Treating Inflammation
If your dog has inflamed or itchy skin, you can start by brewing a cup of chamomile tea and allowing it to cool. You can use the cooled tea to rinse your dog off after their bath and allow it to dry rather than rinsing or toweling it off. This may help soothe mild itchiness or minor skin irritation.
Another option is to use the cooled-off tea bag or create a cold compress (take a washcloth or towel and soak it in the cool chamomile tea) and press it against any irritated or sore areas for a few minutes.
Do take into account that skin problems in dogs might need more than chamomile, and you should always consult your vet if there are any concerns.
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Irritated Eyes
Similar to the treatment of the inflamed skin discussed above, you can use a chamomile tea cold compress or a cool chamomile tea bag and press it to your dog’s eye for a few minutes. You can repeat this treatment two or three times a day.
See also: Best Eye Drops For Dogs
Stress and Anxiety
If your dog suffers from anxiety and stress, chamomile tea is known for its calming properties. There have been studies of the effects of chamomile on patients that suffer from generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) that found that chamomile was a cheap and safe method that considerably decreased the signs of GAD. In dogs, chamomile may provide mild calming effects, but it should not replace behavior-modification training or veterinary-prescribed therapies for clinically significant anxiety.
As always, consult your vet when feeding your dog a chamomile supplement. Keep in mind that dosing should be individualized to avoid adverse effects or drug interactions.
Gastrointestinal Problems
Chamomile tea has traditionally been used as a mild antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory agent, but evidence in dogs is limited and mostly anecdotal. If your dog has mild stomach upset, you could give your dog chamomile to help with any gas or mild discomfort in your dog’s stomach or bowels.
However, if your dog is suffering from any kind of persistent, recurrent, or severe digestive disorder, it’s best to talk to your vet and not rely solely on chamomile to fix the problem.
The Downside for Dogs
In general, chamomile is quite safe for your dog, but there’s always the possibility your dog could be allergic to it. If your dog is sensitive to plants in the daisy family, such as ragweed or echinacea, they are much more likely to have a reaction to chamomile.
Signs of sensitivity to chamomile could include:
- Skin irritation
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Allergic reaction: swelling, difficulty breathing
If your dog is nursing puppies, is pregnant, is ill, or is very young, you should talk to your vet before giving her any chamomile. If your dog is on any medication, whether it is prescribed or is just vitamins, you should consult your vet before adding chamomile to your dog’s diet, as there’s the possibility of interaction. Chamomile may interact with sedatives, anticoagulants, or drugs metabolized by the liver.
Be aware of the amount of chamomile you give your dog because a large dose or using it for too long could be unsafe, and toxicity is possible if highly concentrated extracts are misused.
Conclusion
Overall, chamomile tea is a generally safe and inexpensive, natural way to provide supportive care for certain mild conditions in your dog when used appropriately and under veterinary guidance. Irritated skin or mild external eye irritation, gastrointestinal discomfort, and mild anxiety have all been reported to improve in some dogs, although chamomile should not be considered a primary treatment for these conditions.
However, chamomile should not be given to your cat, as it has been known to interfere with normal clotting in sensitive individuals.
Watch your dog carefully when giving them chamomile and look for any signs that could mean they’re allergic. They could develop the same signs that you’re actually treating your dog for.
As long as you check with your vet about giving your dog chamomile and you closely monitor them after giving them a dose, your dog might just feel better.
- You might also be interested in:Â Can Dogs Drink Green Tea?
Featured Image Credit: congerdesign, Pixabay
Beneficial Chamomile
