Chamomile tea for dogs

At a glance

Dogs can drink cooled, unsweetened chamomile tea (Matricaria chamomilla) in small amounts. A practical guide: 1 to 2 tablespoons per 5 kg body weight, once or twice a week at most. Chamomile may settle mild stomach upset, has a light calming effect, and can be applied as a compress on irritated skin. Always let the tea cool to room temperature and add nothing to it. Avoid in pregnant dogs, in dogs with a known allergy to plants in the Asteraceae family (daisies, ragweed), and in dogs on blood thinners or sedatives, as chamomile can interact with those medications.

Chamomile tea is only a mild home remedy for dogs, and only for minor problems. It can sometimes soothe very mild stomach upset or irritated skin, but it does not replace a diagnosis or treatment from your vet.

When chamomile tea may help your dog

Chamomile has mild anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties. In practice, that means a small amount of diluted tea may settle the stomach after a food change or a minor intolerance.

It can also be tried briefly for mild nausea or soft stools when there are no other symptoms. Your dog should otherwise seem bright, drink normally and show no signs of pain. If vomiting, fever or blood in the stool appear, tea is no longer the answer.

Some dogs dislike the taste. That is not a problem. There is no reason to force it.

Preparation and dosage

Pour boiling water over one tea bag, or one teaspoon of loose chamomile flowers, and leave it to steep for five to eight minutes. Then let it cool completely. Do not add sugar, honey or milk.

Before serving, dilute the tea with water at about 1:1. That makes the flavour milder and easier for most dogs to accept.

As a guide, dogs up to 10 kg can have 1 to 2 tablespoons, dogs from 10 to 25 kg 3 to 4 tablespoons, and dogs over 25 kg up to half a cup.

You can mix the tea into the water bowl, give it carefully with a needleless syringe, or drizzle it over food. Do not use it for more than two or three days in a row. If nothing improves by then, your dog needs to see the vet.

External use

For mild skin irritation, such as an insect bite or superficial scratch marks, a lukewarm chamomile compress may take the edge off. Soak a clean cloth in cooled chamomile tea, wring it out lightly and place it on the area for a few minutes.

Two limits matter here. Chamomile tea should not go on open wounds because it can irritate the tissue and does not replace sterile wound care. It should also never be used on the eyes.

Why not on the eyes

Keep chamomile tea away from the eyes. Even well-filtered tea can contain tiny plant particles that irritate the sensitive conjunctiva.

Chamomile can also trigger allergic reactions in some dogs. Around the eyes, the risk of irritation is higher because the tissue is delicate and permeable. Instead of helping, the tea may make the problem worse.

For eye complaints, sterile saline solution (0.9% NaCl) is the better choice for rinsing. If redness or discharge lasts longer than a day, speak to your vet.

When chamomile tea is not enough

Chamomile tea is a mild home remedy for mild situations. For anything more serious, your vet is the right person to call. Do not rely on chamomile tea when:

• your dog is vomiting repeatedly or cannot keep anything down
• diarrhoea lasts more than a day or contains blood
• your dog seems lethargic, has a fever, or shows signs of pain
• there are open or weeping wounds
• eye problems occur
• your dog refuses food entirely

In these cases, your dog needs veterinary help, not a home remedy.

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