My Specialty: Nutrition
Nutrition Expert, Indoor and Outdoor Cat Mom and Avid Sports Fan
As a Purina® Cat Chow® Mentor, I’ve been helping cat owners just like you answer questions about cat and kitten nutrition. So go ahead, ask me your question! I’ll do everything I can to get back to you right away via email.
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I have a kitten that loves my tea (hot or cold), is it bad if he takes a taste - I won't drink it after but if I let him have a little he will leave it alone. He loves cat nip is that the same as tea?
The caffeine in tea belongs to a group of compounds called methylzanthines. This group of compounds also contains theobromine and theophylline. These substances are found in coffee, tea, stimulants, medications and chocolate. Caffeine can be toxic to cats if consumed in large amounts. Therefore, it is recommended that you not allow your cat to drink tea. Catnip is derived from the plant, Nepeta cataria, a hardy perennial groundcover that grows 2-3 feet high. For your catnip-loving cat, sniffing this herb is harmless and non-addictive. While there is no harm in allowing your cat to chew or nibble on the catnip, it should be offered to the cat for a short while, and then put away for a few days so that it remains a special treat.
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