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Dogs and boba seem like an unlikely pairing, but as it turns out, some dogs love this sweet treat!
However, before you let your pup chow down on boba, there are a few things you should know.
So, can dogs eat boba? A sip of boba and some tapioca pearls is unlikely to harm your dog. However, boba is made with sugar, sweeteners, tea (caffeine), cream, milk, and tapioca pearls (also called boba’s). These ingredients can be dangerous for dogs when eaten in large amounts, so it’s best to avoid the risk.
In this article, you’ll discover:
- What boba actually is
- Why your dog should avoid eating this (vet answers)
- The dangers associated with dogs eating boba
- What to do if your dog overeats boba
Let’s dive in.
Table of Contents
What Is Boba?
Before we can answer this we need to be on the same page with what boba is.
Boba is used interchangeably to describe bubble tea (also referred to as pearl tea, pearl milk tea, and tapioca tea) and the small spheres at the bottom of these drinks.
Boba is made by adding tapioca balls (the boba pearls) to black or green tea and then adding milk and flavorings.
The result is a delicious, refreshing, and chewy beverage!
So, now that we know what boba bubble tea is let’s move on to whether or not it’s safe for dogs to have a boba milk tea drink.
Boba Tea Ingredients
Boba bubble tea is a refreshing drink made with black or green tea, milk, sweeteners, and chewy tapioca pearls.
Here’s a list of common boba tea ingredients:
- Tea (black or green) or water
- Creamer. Depending on the shop this might be milk, half-n-half, or powder creamer.
- Sweetener. This is usually sugar, honey, or syrup.
- Boba pearls. These are small balls made from tapioca starch that have been cooked in sugar water.
- Flavoring. This could be fruit juices, syrups, or even pudding!
In addition, a 16 fl ounce boba milk tea contains roughly 317 calories and 10.6 grams of fat. This is important to know since dogs should only be eating 25 calories for every pound they weigh.
Can Dogs Eat Boba? The Verdict
Unfortunately, there isn’t a simple answer to this question.
This is partly because boba is used to describe bubble tea and tapioca pearls.
While some people may tell you that it’s okay for dogs to eat boba, the truth is that it’s not entirely safe for dogs.
Dr. Stephanie Liff, DVM, co-founder of Pure Paws Veterinary Care in New York City, says that while there are no known toxicities associated with boba tea, she would not recommend feeding it to your dog regularly.
“Boba milk tea is primarily sugar water, which we know can be detrimental to our pets,” she says. “It can lead to weight gain and potentially diabetes.”
In addition, boba milk tea often contains caffeine, which can be dangerous for dogs.
“Caffeine is a stimulant and can cause increased heart rate and blood pressure, as well as restlessness and panting,” Dr. Liff says. “In severe cases, it can lead to seizures.”
So while a few sips of boba milk tea here and there probably won’t hurt your pup, it’s best to avoid giving them this drink regularly.
In addition, there are some concerns with dogs eating tapioca pearls at the bottom of these drinks.
Tapioca pearls are made from cassava root and can be challenging for dogs to digest. Not to mention they’re usually simmered in brown sugar syrup to give them a sweet taste.
If your dog eats too many boba’s (tapioca pearls), they could end up with an upset stomach or blockage in their intestines. So, while a few tapioca balls probably won’t hurt your pup, dogs are not recommended to eat a whole bowl of boba!
In conclusion, while a few sips or tapioca pearls from boba are unlikely to cause issues, it’s best to avoid letting dogs drink bubble tea.
This includes letting dogs eat the boba pearls, or letting dogs eat bursting boba pearls as well.
Sticking to dog food is always the best choice.
Related Reading: Can Dogs Eat Tapioca Pudding? 4 Dangers & Tips If They Do
Are There Any Health Benefits Of Boba For Dogs?
Now that we know the risks associated with dogs eating boba, you might be wondering if there are any benefits.
Unfortunately, there are no known health benefits of boba for dogs.
In fact, the opposite is true!
Boba can lead to weight gain and potentially diabetes in dogs. It can also cause an upset stomach or blockage in their intestines.
So, while boba might be a delicious treat for humans, it’s best to avoid using this as a consistent treat for dogs.
Dangers Of Dogs Eating Boba
You should be aware of a few dangers when giving your dog boba.
The most significant dangers are:
- Weight gain
- Diabetes
- An upset stomach or blockage in their intestines
- Caffeine poisoning
While these might not seem like serious dangers, they can majorly impact your dog’s health.
Boba is high in sugar and calories, leading to weight gain in dogs.
In addition, boba often contains caffeine, which can be dangerous for dogs.
Caffeine can cause increased heart rate, blood pressure, restlessness, and panting. In severe cases, it can lead to seizures.
Finally, the tapioca pearls at the bottom of boba drinks can be hard for dogs to digest. If your dog eats too many, it could end up with an upset stomach or blockage in its intestines.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
Can Dogs Eat Boba Ice Cream?
Dogs can technically eat boba ice cream as a treat, but just like regular boba, it’s not the best idea.
Boba ice cream is high in sugar and calories and can lead to weight gain in dogs.
It may also contain caffeine, which can be dangerous for dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Strawberry Boba?
Dogs should avoid eating strawberry boba but giving them a treat of it every once in a while will not hurt them.
The main concern with strawberry boba is the same as regular boba. The ingredients can be hard for them to digest and it’s higher in sugar then regular boba due to the fresh fruit juice added.
Can Dogs Eat Pearls?
The pearls at the bottom of boba drinks can be hard for dogs to digest. If your dog eats too many, it could end up with an upset stomach or blockage in its intestines.
It’s best to avoid letting your dog eat pearls, but they should be fine if they do eat a few.
Can Dogs Eat Milk Tea?
Dogs can drink milk tea, but it’s not the best idea. Milk tea is high in sugar and calories and can lead to weight gain in dogs.
It may also contain caffeine, which can be dangerous for dogs.
Final Thoughts
So can dogs eat boba? The answer is no. Dogs should not eat boba. Boba is high in sugar and calories and can lead to weight gain in dogs. It may also contain caffeine, which can be dangerous for dogs.
Finally, the tapioca pearls at the bottom of these drinks can be challenging for dogs to digest. Not to mention, if your dog eats too many, it could end up with an upset stomach or blockage in their intestines.
While a few sips or tapioca pearls from boba are unlikely to cause issues, it’s best to avoid letting dogs drink bubble tea. This includes letting dogs eat the boba pearls.
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Can Dogs Eat Hush Puppies? 5 Dangers & Guide If They Do