Is Honey Safe For Dogs?

As a pet owner, you want to ensure that your furry friend gets all the nutrients they need to stay healthy and safe. When it comes to treats, there’s nothing like a little bit of honey. Is honey safe for dogs?

The short answer is yes. Honey is safe for dogs and can be a great source of energy and antioxidants. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

What Is Honey?

Honey is a sweet, sticky substance produced by bees. Bees collect nectar from flowers and then store it in their honey stomachs. When they return to the hive, they regurgitate the nectar and pass it to other bees. These bees then fan the nectar with their wings, evaporating the water from it and creating unfiltered honey.

Honey is high in natural sugars, which provide energy for bees. Humans have harvested raw honey for thousands of years and used it in various ways, including as a sweetener, baking ingredient, and a natural remedy for sore throats and coughs.

Honey has been used as a home remedy for centuries. Raw honey has lots of vitamins and fat-soluble materials and has antibacterial properties, antifungal properties, and antimicrobial properties.

Raw honey is also thought to have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help treat conditions like arthritis and gastrointestinal disorders. In addition, honey contains antioxidants that can help to protect your body against cell damage.

With the many benefits of honey, it’s no wonder that pet parents may consider them for their dogs. Read on to further understand the advantage of using honey for pet care.

Benefits Of Honey For Dogs

Raw honey is highly beneficial for dogs. It helps treat minor wounds, and most vets would recommend clinical-grade honey to expedite the treatment of wounds. Topical honey is also helpful for healing dry skin and hot spots.

The benefits of clinical-grade honey and Manuka honey as topical treatments have been extensively studied in dogs.

Other benefits include soothing kennel cough and minimizing seasonal allergies. Although, these are just anecdotal health benefits.

Risks Of Feeding Honey For Dogs

There are different types of honey. Raw honey is better than pasteurized honey which has been stripped of nutrients due to processing and the addition of unhealthy additives like fructose corn syrup.

Honey can also differ depending on the flowers the bees visit. Manuka honey has the highest antibacterial properties, while dandelion, tupelo, and meadow honey have the most antioxidants.

Dogs can also react negatively to honey. Moreover, puppies shouldn’t consume honey because their immune system is still developing, and raw honey can carry botulism spores that can cause gastrointestinal upset.

The high sugar content of honey can complicate the condition of overweight, obese, and diabetic dogs. Honey can also cause tooth decay, so always brush your dog’s teeth after giving this sweet treat.

How Much Honey Is Bad For Dogs?

Make sure only to give your dog raw, unprocessed honey. Don’t give your dog too much honey at once – a teaspoon of honey per day is usually plenty, and most small breeds require less. If your dog has overeaten honey, he may have elevated blood sugar levels causing vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite.

There are different ways you can introduce honey to your dog’s diet. Most people will happily slurp honey after receiving a teaspoon. You can add raw honey to fruit smoothies or smear them over your dog’s favorite treats. Just be careful not to heat honey because it removes the active ingredients and reduces its benefits.

Is Honey Safe For Dogs?

Overall, honey is a safe and healthy treat for dogs. Ensure you give it in moderation and choose raw, unprocessed honey for the most optimal benefits.

Although there is no scientific evidence for most of its medicinal properties and health benefits, the anecdotal evidence is promising. Pet parents will benefit from giving their dogs some of this sweet natural wonder.

Learn what other human foods and medicines are safe for dogs with our pet care articles at the Be Safe.