Can Dogs Eat Honey?
I was recently applying a layer of honey on my toasted bread and wondered, ‘Can dogs eat honey? Is honey safe for dogs?’
I resolved to ask my vet about honey for dogs on the next vet visit, and this is what I discovered. Read on to grasp the insights.
Key Takeaways
Dogs can eat honey but you must feed them the treat in moderation.
Honey should not be fed to puppies,obese, and diabetic dogs.
Honey can help with kennel cough, allergies, and wounds.
Can Dogs Eat Honey?
Yes, dogs can eat honey but not as part of their daily diet. This is because it has a high sugar content which can affect your pooch’s health.
A consistent sugary diet brings stomach issues like constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, and reduced appetite. Moreover, the diet can also cause obesity and diabetes.
Why Feed Your Pooch Honey
Honey has been known to cure certain health issues for a long time. It comes packed with antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins to keep a body healthy, and your furry friend is a beneficiary.
Here are reasons why your hound deserves some honey.
- Helps With Allergies
Raw honey for dogs has pollen traces. Once ingested into the canine’s body, these traces stimulate the immune system, helping it build antibodies to fight pollen allergies. Moreover, raw honey has quercetin, which prevents watery eyes and itching due to allergies.
- Minerals
Raw honey contains fat-soluble minerals like manganese, copper, and magnesium, which help produce collagen and red blood cells. These minerals also aid in tendons and ligament development and muscle and bone growth.
- Soothes Sore Throats
Honey is one of the tasty treats every American home has as humans use it to relieve coughs and sore throats. Raw honey also benefits dogs as its microbial properties help relieve kennel cough.
- Helps With Wounds
Manuka honey contains antibacterial and antifungal properties that help heal wounds. If your pooch has an accident and gets a physical injury, this honey type can help.
Of course, you might have to use a dog cone to prevent your furry friend from licking the honey layer off. Check out this YouTube video from PSDA on how to put on a cone collar on your pet.
How to Feed Your Dog Honey the Proper Way
Your honey intake significantly depends on the dog you have, either small, medium, large, or larger breed. You also want to consider the animal’s age and health condition.
Here is a table highlighting the average daily honey intake for dogs according to size.
| Dog Size | Daily Intake (teaspoonful) |
|---|---|
| Small breed | ¼ |
| Medium breed | ½ |
| Large breed | 1 |
| Larger breed | 2 |
Apart from feeding your pooch honey from a teaspoon, there are other ways you can do so.
- Sprinkle a layer of honey on your dog’s meal. It can go well with a pet-safe fruit mix having peanut butter, cream cheese, or pumpkin puree.
- Spread honey on your dog’s favorite treat.
When to Avoid Giving Your Dog Honey
While honey promises to be a tasty and nutritious treat for your canine friend, there are instances you should not feed it. Here are five instances when to avoid giving your pooch honey.
- If you Have a Young Dog
Young pups do not have a strong immune system, and such a developing system cannot handle raw honey. Honey contains botulism spores which can cause gastrointestinal issues.
- If You Have a Diabetic Dog
Since honey has a high sugar content, your diabetic dog does not need this excess sugar concentration in their body. The honey raises their blood sugar levels which is risky.
- If Your Dog Has a Compromised Immune System
Sick dogs usually have a compromised immune system and are thus unfit for honey consumption. So if your pooch has cancer or other auto-immune diseases, keep the honey jar away.
- If Your Dog is allergic to Bee Stings
If your active dog has ever been stung by a bee and this triggered an allergic reaction, they are most likely to react to honey. As such, seek a vet’s help or start by feeding the animal small bits of honey.
FAQs
- Can dogs have honey?
Yes, you can feed your canine honey but in moderation. Honey must not be part of your dog’s daily diet.
- Can puppies have honey?
No, you must not feed your puppy raw honey. Their body’s immune system is still developing and cannot fight against botulism spores.
- How much honey should I feed my Chihuahua in a day?
A chihuahua is a small breed dog so ¼ teaspoon of honey a day is enough.
Conclusion
The question of can dogs eat honey usually puzzles dog owners. The sugary treat is packed with antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins which work wonders on human bodies.
And guess what, your dog can enjoy the benefits of honey too. So Yes you can feed your dog honey. next time you pick a jar of honey, know you can enjoy the treat with your furry friend.