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My 18 kg pregnant dog in her 7th week ate a used, cold tea bag — is the caffeine risk higher for her and her puppies?

Dogs · Food safety

Last reviewed: 2026-09-05 · Reference ranges: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline & Merck Veterinary Manual

Short answer

Yes, this is an urgent risk for both the mother and her developing puppies. Caffeine crosses the placenta and can affect fetal heart rates and development. Even a used tea bag contains enough caffeine to cause vomiting, tremors, and a racing heart in a dog. Call your vet or a poison control centre immediately; do not wait for symptoms. Bring the tea bag wrapper if you have it, and keep her calm and confined. Do not induce vomiting unless your vet specifically instructs you to do so over the phone.

Tea leaves & teabags — Food safety facts

Do not feed · Dogs · full breakdown on the linked food page

Caffeine like coffee — a dog that eats loose tea or a teabag can get vomiting, tremors and a racing heart. Emergency for larger amounts.

Dogs and cats carry the same rating (Do not feed), so the notes below hold for either pet.

Tea leaves & teabags should not be given to dogs at all. Even a small amount can do harm, so there is no portion small enough to be safe.

Do not induce vomiting and do not give milk or oil to “dilute” it. Note the food and roughly how much was eaten, then call your vet or a pet poison hotline and follow their advice on whether to bring the pet in straight away.

Why these cautions matter

Caffeine overstimulates the heart and nervous system, and pets clear it so slowly that tremors and restlessness drag on far longer than they would in a person.

Tea leaves & teabags has no place in everyday feeding: keep the rest of the day's food unchanged after this and watch the next walk and the stool that comes with it.

The full verdict, portion guidance and serving notes are collected on the Tea leaves & teabags food facts page.

Open the full food page: Tea leaves & teabags food facts →