Can dogs drink kombucha?

Kombucha is made by fermenting black or green tea and sugar with a culture of bacteria and yeast. Some caffeine from the tea remains, typically less than in a cup of tea. The yeast produces a little alcohol, and the bacteria turn some of it into acids, giving the tart taste.

Flavored kombuchas add fruit juices, ginger, or herbs, and some include grape juice.

Commercial kombucha sold as a soft drink is generally kept below 0.5 percent alcohol, though levels can rise if bottles sit warm. Homemade kombucha can reach 1 to 3 percent, especially with long second fermentations. Hard kombucha is sold as an alcoholic drink at 4 to 7 percent and should be treated like beer.

Dogs are more sensitive to alcohol than people.

Kombucha is often promoted as a probiotic drink. The microbes it contains were not chosen for dogs, and there is no good evidence of benefit for them. If your dog has digestive problems, talk to your vet about a probiotic formulated for dogs.

The acidity can also upset sensitive stomachs.

If you brew at home, keep jars covered and out of reach. The SCOBY, the rubbery culture disk, smells sweet and sour and may be chewed. Store sugar and tea bags securely too, since used tea bags contain caffeine. Clean up spills promptly, as dogs will lap at sweet puddles.