Boba tea is a very fun new drink that is gaining more and more popularity. The balls that you see inside of the drink are called boba. Boba is a squishy ball that can be safely eaten but can dogs eat boba safely like us humans?
Many dog owners have the urge to share their food and drink options with their dogs, but this is truly not always the best idea. Find out here if dogs can eat boba.
What is Boba?
Boba is a soft pearl-shaped sphere that is used inside of drinks. The most common drink people see these pearls in is boba tea. Boba is made from tapioca; the tapioca is made into a flour and then turned into balls. Most often, you see these pearls in the color of black.
People don’t usually eat these pearls on their own. However, they have become very popular inside of drinks such as tea or fruity beverages.
Can Dogs Eat Boba?
You may be wondering can dogs eat boba while I drink my boba tea? The answer to this question is yes and no. Yes, your dog can enjoy plain boba pearls because they are made from tapioca which is safe for dogs. Just make sure these pearls do not have added flavors into them because those ones are not safe.
I said this is a yes and no answer because your dog should not be given the boba tea part. Usually, these teas have added sweeteners and flavors that can be harmful for your dog to consume.
Even if you just give your dog eats the boba, it is still important to act cautiously. Sometimes the boba pearls can be quite large, so if you do feed one to your dog, you should cut it up to prevent your dog from choking and intestinal blockage.
Can Dogs Drink Bubble Tea?
No, boba tea can be extremely dangerous and toxic to dogs. Let’s take a deeper look into what boba tea is actually made up of.
Tea – Obviously, the most important ingredient in bubble tea is the tea. Most teas are not toxic to dogs due to the levels of caffeine inside of it. Caffeine is very dangerous for dogs, and it can kill them if they consume too much. I am not sure if they make decaf bubble tea. That will be something you will need to look into.
Boba Pearls – As we mentioned above, boba pearls are made from tapioca. Tapioca comes from the cassava root, and it is extracted from that plant and made into various things.
Milk – Most dogs have a real problem digesting milk and milk products. While it is not toxic for dogs, you need to be sure your dog doesn’t have a milk allergy. Milk is sometimes added to these types of drinks.
Sweetener – Sweetener is added to these drinks too, of course, it makes them sweeter. This can be in the form of sugar or even syrups. Sugar isn’t toxic for dogs, but it can fatten your dog up and cause obesity as well as some serious health issues.
Flavored Syrups – A lot of these bubble teas have other added flavors or syrups. This can be in the form of fruit juices or even real fruits. These can be very sweet and contain ingredients that could be harmful for your dog.
Side Effects of Boba Consumption for Dogs
If your dog ate a Boba drink, then it can develop a few side effects. However, these side effects can be triggered by many different things inside the drink, so it might not be the boba part causing the side effects.
Report to your dog’s local veterinarian if it develops any of the following symptoms:
- Diarrhea
- Your dog is acting lethargic
- Vomiting
- Excessive panting
- Your dog hasn’t had a bowel movement in a few days (intestinal blockage)
- Faster heart rate
- Your dog is acting strange
- Lethargy
Even if your dog does not exhibit any of these symptoms, it is important that you are aware of how your dog is acting. If your dog is just mildly acting strange, it could be an allergic reaction. Sometimes allergic reactions can bring on some of those symptoms above.
Can Dogs Eat Bursting Boba?
No, bursting boba is not good for dogs. Bursting boba, also known as popping boba, is made with juices. If you have ever been to a frozen yogurt shop, I am sure you have seen them before. They are still made out of tapioca, but they are usually filled with fruit juices. They come in a variety of different colors and flavors.
Check out the ingredients, and you will see exactly why they are not good for dogs. Don’t forget the added colors and artificial flavors are not good for dogs at all.
Can Dogs Eat Strawberry Boba?
No, flavored boba’s such as strawberry contain excessive sugars that are not suitable for dogs. Sugar again is not toxic but can lead to serious health problems. Not to mention these strawberry boba’s will likely be in a flavored drink that can be filled with milk, fruit juices, and possible artificial colorings.
Can You Make Homemade Boba for your Dog?
Yes, you can certainly make homemade boba for your dog. However, you can do this in a way that it will be completely safe for your dog to consume. One way to do this is by cooking plain tapioca pearls. When they are fully cooked, the pearls will have a chewy consistency.
Once they are fully cooked, you can bring them out to cool down, and I suggest cutting the boba pearls in half; that way, you can prevent your dog from choking or getting an obstruction in the intestates. I do not suggest adding any fruit liquids to your boba. They usually all have too much added sugar, so I think plain would be best.
Overall
If you truly want to feed your dog boba, you can rest easy knowing that it is safe. Now you have the answer and much more to can dogs eat boba. Have you ever given your dog boba to eat? If so, please let me know in the comments and how your dog liked it.
