Does honey help dogs with itching

Does Honey Help Dogs With Allergies: The Natural Solution in 2023

If youre a dog owner, you know that allergies are a common issue for many dogs.

While there are various medications and treatments available for allergies, some pet owners turn to honey as a natural option. But does honey help dogs with allergies?

Some dog owners swear by it, while others say that it doesnt do anything.

In this blog post, well take a look at it. Well also explore some of the ways that honey may be able to help dogs with allergies and provide some tips for how to use honey as a treatment. Stay tuned!

How Do Allergies Affect A Dogs Health?

Canine allergies are also known as atopic dermatitis. While you may think of allergies as a human health issue, dogs can also suffer from them.

Allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to one or more allergens and releases chemicals like histamine and leukotrienes into the body.

These chemicals cause inflammation that leads to itching and scratching.

Allergies can be triggered by either inhaled allergens (such as pollen, dust, grasses, mold, dander) or food.

Its important to note that both dogs and people can be allergic to the same things. For example, a dog with an allergy to ragweed is likely allergic to chrysanthemums, marigolds, and dandelions too.

Does Honey Help Dogs With Allergies?

The short answer to this question is Yes. Honey is a natural remedy for allergies and its an all-natural, hypoallergenic food that can be given to dogs with allergies.

The honey doesnt need to be cooked or heated; it can just be fed raw and whole

In order for the honey to work best, it should be given in small doses at first so the dog can get used to it.

You should only feed your dog one teaspoon of honey per day initially and then increase its dosage as needed

Dogs typically develop a tolerance after about two weeks of eating honey regularly, meaning they wont have any allergic reactions if they come into contact with allergens during this time period.

If youre interested in trying honey to help your dog with allergies, then here are some tips on how to use it.

How To Give Honey To A Dog With Allergies?

The most common way to give honey to dogs is to add it to their food.

If youre using this method, then you should add about a teaspoon of honey per every ten pounds of your dogs weight and mix it into its meal

Another option is to spread some honey on the inside of each of your dogs cheeks and allow it to slowly dissolve.

This is typically an effective way to treat your dog for allergies if youre planning on taking it outdoors so the honey doesnt end up getting rubbed into its fur

If you want to use honey as a treatment, then there are some other things you should know.

How Long Does It Take For Honey To Work?

One of the reasons why honey is often recommended as a treatment for allergies is because you should start seeing results within two weeks.

However, some dogs require up to six months to see any real improvement.

Is Honey Good For Dogs Allergies?

The short answer is yes; honey is good for dogs with allergies.

If youre an owner, then youve probably encountered this issue during your time with Fido.

Because it has such a wide variety of uses and benefits, this is one food youll definitely want to keep around at all times.

The properties it possesses, including antiseptic, antioxidant, antibiotic, and antibacterial effects can be really beneficial to your pooch if they suffer from allergies.

Youll also enjoy the fact that it has a high nutritional value and can be used even with dogs that have diabetes.

Are There Any Side Effects?

The main disadvantage of using honey is that its not a cure for allergies.

It simply relieves the symptoms so your dog can have fewer allergic reactions to different allergens.

Even though it wont treat the underlying cause, you still need to figure out why your dog is having a reaction in the first place and treat that issue as well

Precautions When Giving Honey To A Dog With Allergies

There are some precautions that you should take before giving your dog honey.

• If youre giving it to your dog as a food additive, then make sure to give it in small doses first so its body can adjust. If you start with too much at one time, then the honey could cause vomiting or diarrhea. Since dogs typically enjoy the taste of honey, it shouldnt be an issue.
• Since dogs like to lick things, you should make sure there arent any harmful traces on their fur after theyve had contact with something. For example, if your dog licks your shoes or other areas where theres pollen present, then it could trigger a reaction.
• You can try washing your dogs fur with shampoo before giving it honey to combat this issue.
• Although there arent any cases where a dog has been poisoned from eating too much honey, you should still keep an eye on how much youre feeding it. Just like humans, dogs can have different reactions so start out with small doses and increase if needed.

What Kind Of Honey Is Best For Dogs With Allergies?

If youre going to try giving your dog honey, then its important to only give them raw, organic honey.

That type has not been processed or filtered so it contains most of its nutrients and enzymes.

It also doesnt contain any chemicals or pesticides that are used in commercial honey products.

There are also different kinds of honey that you can buy depending on what benefits youre looking for.

Heres a list of some of the best options that are available to purchase online:

Manuka Honey

This is the number one choice for people who are trying to manage their allergies.

It contains high levels of antioxidants as well as antibacterial properties. Its also used for wound care so you can apply it to your dogs cuts or scrapes if needed

Clover Honey

This type of honey has lower levels of antioxidants compared to manuka honey, but it still contains a decent amount.

If your dog is having an allergic reaction, then it might be best to go with manuka honey since it has more benefits

Raspberry Honey

This type of honey is made from bee pollen and nectar.

As a result, it contains B vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals such as calcium.

The raspberry herb also acts as a natural antibiotic that can be used to treat infections in dogs. Its also gentle enough for dogs with diabetes to eat

Acacia Honey

This type of honey doesnt have any therapeutic or antimicrobial properties, but it still tastes great and is a good choice for dogs that have allergies.

In addition to the types of honey mentioned above, you also need to make sure its high quality and raw.

After all, if its not the best quality, then youre putting your dog at risk for allergies to other things.

What Type Of Honey Is Good For Dogs?

As you can see, theres more than one type of honey. Each one has different health benefits and can be used to treat different conditions in your dog.

In general Manuka Honey is the best choice, but sometimes it is not practical for you or your dog to use that.

Its also best to consult with your veterinarian before giving your dog honey, regardless of what type they recommend or if you feel it is good for your dog.

Only give your dogs organic, raw, and high-quality honey.

Make sure the label states that it is 100% honey and that it has not been processed or filtered.

After all, your dog doesnt need any additives and chemicals if theyre already getting this for

Does Honey Help Dogs Itching?

Although you should use honey for allergies, it can also be effective at relieving your dogs itching.

It has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce swelling and redness.

Honey is also antimicrobial so it prevents the growth of bacteria, viruses, and fungi that can cause itching and irritation

This is one of the reasons honey has been used to treat wounds and other injuries.

Since it has antibacterial properties, then it can kill the bacteria that causes itching or prevent it from growing in the first place.

Will Honey Help My Dogs Cough?

When your dog has a cough, then you should try giving it honey to see if it helps.

It can soothe irritated throats and reduce inflammation in the respiratory tract.

This can soothe your dogs cough and make it easier to breathe, which might also reduce coughing.

You should only give your dog honey after consulting with your veterinarian. If you go this route, then the vet might suggest using manuka honey for dogs with allergies since it has other benefits.

How To Feed Honey To My Dog?

Now that you know the benefits of honey, including how it can relieve your dogs allergies, then youre probably wondering how to give it to your dog.

The best way to give your pooch honey is by putting a spoonful in its food or mixing it with other ingredients.

You can also use honey to make a tasty treat that you can feed your pet. Some other ways to feed honey to your dog include

• Combine the honey with water and frozen berries in your blender to make a fruit smoothie for your pooch. The sweetness from the honey will mask the bitterness of the berries.
• Combine peanut butter, coconut oil, and raw honey in a bowl to make a dog-friendly chocolate cake. Then freeze it in small bags so you can give it out daily
• Add honey to your dogs water bowl when your pet is having an allergic reaction Clear up its skin or ear infections by applying it externally as a salve.
• You might want to give your dog honey before going on a long car ride or other stressful situation since it can calm your pet down. This can also help with motion sickness if your dog gets sick while being driven around.

What If Honey Doesnt Work?

Its important to note that you should always speak to your veterinarian before giving anything new to your dog.

If the treatment isnt working, then you may want to try something else or talk about additional options for dealing with your dogs allergies.

Conclusion

Honey can be an excellent treatment for your dogs allergies, especially if the allergen is something you cannot avoid.

It also has other benefits that can benefit your pet, which is why it should be part of your toolkit when caring for a pooch with allergies.

I hope after reading this article now you will be having a clear picture about the benefits of honey for your dogs and the question does honey help dogs with allergies is now clear to you.

If this article was helpful to you, please share it, and if you have any queries feel free to ask in the comment section below.

I will be happy to help you.

Welcome to my blog, where I share my love for all things canine! As an older lady who has spent a lifetime surrounded by dogs, I feel its important to share my experiences and the joy that these furry companions bring into our lives. From my first dog, a spunky little mutt, to the loyal and loving dogs who have been by my side throughout the years, each one has left an paw print on my heart. Through my blog, I hope to inspire others to appreciate the love, loyalty, and companionship that dogs bring. So come along on this journey with me as we celebrate the wonderful world of dogs!

Can Dogs Eat Honey? 6 Health Benefits of Honey for Dogs

Many humans love honey for a number of reasons, including its natural sweetening properties and its many uses for health and diet. But, can dogs eat honey?

Yes, they can. Let me explain.

Recently, after doing a little bit of research on honey as a natural aid for human allergies, I came across a lot of information that found the health benefits of honey for dogs as well.

I never would have thought about giving my dogs honey, but they benefit from it almost as much as humans do.

Feeding honey to dogs isn't a new revelation, but it is gaining popularity thanks to the current focus on natural and holistic pet health.

A nice bonus is that most dogs enjoy the taste of honey, so it usually isn't hard to get your dog to eat it.

Mixed with his food, your dog probably won't even realize that the honey is there. Adding this sweet ingredient to his diet may also save you money on future vet care and add to the length of your pet's life.

If youre wondering how you can improve your adult dogs health, check out these six benefits of honey for dogs.

Is Honey Good For Dogs?

As a general rule of thumb, yes, honey has many uses and benefits, but since it is sugar fed in moderation. And when I say moderation, I mean not much.

If your dog has a kennel cough, you can treat it by giving them a little bit at a time.

6 Uses and Health Benefits of Honey for Dogs

1. Allergies

Dogs suffer from allergies almost as much as humans do, according to Dr. Joseph Mercola. For most dogs, it doesnt look like human allergies, with sneezing and watery eyes. It looks more like dry, itchy skin and shedding or excess dandruff.

When this happens, vets usually recommend a small dose of Benadryl to help take the edge off, but some holistic veterinarians believe that a teaspoon of natural, raw honey every day can actually prevent allergies in dogs after just a few days.

Its important to note that if your dog has allergies year-round and honey doesnt seem to help, it could be that your dog may actually have an underlying condition causing itching and dry skin. It's likely that it is probably a food allergy, and the health benefits of honey for dogs won't help that.

Its very important that you see a veterinarian to diagnose your dogs allergies properly.

2. Wounds

Many dog breeders and kennel operators use honey as a Neosporin-type wound dressing. When it comes to honey for dogs, topical application is shown to be the most common use. As in human studies, honey is often used to treat burns and wounds (Jalali et al. 2007).

Yemen-produced Sidr honey has been shown to treat contaminated wounds in the same time span as iodine.

Further research into the effects of Sidr honey displayed the added benefit of healing wounds of full-thickness (Hananeh et al. 2015).

On a similar vein, non-boiled honey from West Azerbaijan has shown great potential in being an effective healer of surgical wounds (Goharshenasan et al. 2016).

Honey used in these ways provides an alternative for those lacking the necessary medical supplies or for those who experience adverse/allergic reactions to conventional antiseptics.

If a dog has a cut, bite, scratch, burn, etc., they apply the raw honey directly onto the site and then wrap it up so the dog doesnt lick the honey clean off.

The disinfectant and antibacterial properties proven to be in honey help the wound heal, and the thickness of the honey helps create a barrier until the wound heals more.

Pro tip: Make sure to warm the honey to make it easier to apply to sore areas.

Of course, if your dog has been badly injured, you should take him or her to the vet rather than trying to slather honey on the wound. My dog recently got bitten by a botfly, but we didnt know it.

We tried honey on it, and it didnt work, but thats because there was a botflylarva growing in the bite site!

Yuck! Honey can only do so much, apparently.

RELATED:First Aid Kit For Dogs: Most Essential Items

3. Tummy Troubles and Intestinal Issues

If your dog has bouts of indigestion, diarrhea, or constipation, the health benefits of honey will certainly come in handy. A dog with tummy trouble is miserable (and usually stinky), so if youve ruled out issues with the food he is eating, try a little bit of honey.

Most dogs respond well to about a teaspoon of honey in their food daily, but for larger dogs, it can be increased up to a tablespoon or two.

Slowly introduce it into his daily diet, and see if you notice a difference in his digestion. If your dog seems to be more regular or has a less upset stomach, it means its working!If the honey doesnt help, though, talk to your veterinarian about possible food allergies or medical conditions.

My dogs both eat a small teaspoon of honey in their food, and it has helped with my smaller dogs digestive issues to an extent. But honey cant fix everything, especially an existing medical condition.

It's important that you observe and monitor your dog regularly to make sure there isn't anything else going on. Look for symptoms other than digestive trouble, and take him to the vet if you notice anything else.

The most promising internal application of honey revolves around kynurenic acid (KYNA) (Turski et al., 2013).

KYNA, a known anti excitotoxic and anticonvulsant, is used in the treatment of neurobiological disorders. Among all analyzed foods, honey has been shown to contain the highest levels of kynurenic acid (Urbanska et al. 2014)

It is due to this that honey is praised for its neuroprotective properties.

So much so that KYNA is currently used in the treatment of brain disorders centered around neuronal loss.

During studies involving experimental colon obstruction, KYNA was introduced to dogs and showed the ability to inhibit hypermotility and xanthine oxidase activity (Kaszaki et al. 2008).

KYNA exerts a protective, anti-inflammatory effect.

So not only does KYNA effectively decrease abnormal movement of the intestinal tract, which would have caused great pain and may have led to tearing of the intestinal wall, but

But KYNA also prevented the release and spread of destructive superoxides.

As an added bonus, KYNA aids the healing process by decreasing the inflammation often associated with injury and infection.

This decreases the discomfort felt by the dog and allows treatment without negative feedback from the subject.

When combined with glutamine, it has been shown that honey may provide a viable alternate treatment for short bowel syndrome in dogs (Eyarefe et al. 2012).

For canines that underwent some sort of surgery to decrease the length of their intestinal tract, the probiotic-promoting properties of honey for dogs allow them to increase the amount of nutrients absorbed.

This has dire ramifications in terms of maintaining the health of the dog.

4. Pick Me Up

For older dogs, a little lick of raw honey actually helps energize them enough to get in exercise that can be a little strenuous on old bones.

Because it has natural sugars, it stimulates the body and the dog gets a little pick me up out of it.

Use honey with caution, though, because too much honey for dogs can actually cause dental and stomach problems.

RECOMMENDED READ:6 Vet's Tips On How To Care For Senior Dogs

5. Is It Safe to Give Dogs Honey for Cough?

For humans, a teaspoon of honey when they have a terrible cough can provide instant relief.

One of the greatest health benefits of honey for dogs is that it does the same thingfor adult dogs who are unlucky enough to get kennel cough.

How Much Honey Can I Give My Dog for a Cough?

Try just half a teaspoon for smaller dogs and one teaspoon a day for larger dogs, and increase if your dog handles it well.

A lot of veterinarians are familiar with this practice, so they may be able to give you a better idea of the daily dosage to treat it.

IMPORTANT: Note that you should not give puppies honey; puppies are most likely to have kennel cough from their time in shelters or pet stores, but do not use this until they are considered an adult (over 2 years of age).

6. Ear Infections

Does your dog always seem to have an ear infection?

Im not even sure how it happens, but my dog seems to get one at least once a month.

I was surprised to find out that one of the many health benefits of honey for dogs is preventing ear infections.

Once I started introducing a teaspoon of honey into his food, though, the ear infections stopped.

You may find that introducing honey into your dogs diet helps prevent ear infections, but it can also help you get rid of a particularly nasty one as well.

Of note, medical-grade honey has successfully demonstrated its effectiveness at treating canine otitis externa an inflammation or infection of the external ear canal in both lab and clinical settings (Maruhashi et al. 2016)

When to Not Use Honey for Dogs?

One of the biggest issues with feeding your dog raw honey is that it is still sugar.

Dogs bodies do not break down sugars very easily, and they can become obese if their body isnt burning the extra sugar properly.

This is why I dont increase my dogs daily dosage over a teaspoon, even though he tolerates it well.

I dont want him to get chunky, and I also dont want any dental problems from the sugars resting in his mouth.

Veterinarians also want dog owners to know that honey is not for puppies or dogs with diabetes.

If your dog isnt over the age of 2, dont even try honey, as it can mess with their teeth and digestive systems.

If your dog is diabetic, there are plenty of other remedies out there that dont contain sugar.

Common Questions About Honey For Dogs

How Much Honey Can a Dog Have a Day?

If your dog was less than 10 lbs: 1/4 of a teaspoon a day; if your dog weighs 10-20 lbs: 1/2 a teaspoon a day; and between 20 and 50 lbs: 1 teaspoon a day. Suppose your dog is larger than perhaps a tablespoon.

Can Honey Cause Diarrhea in Dogs?

Yes, because honey raises your dog's blood sugar, and if that gets too high, they could begin vomiting or have diarrhea.

Does Honey Help Dogs With Collapsed Trachea?

Yes, honey on its own or honey mixed with lemon juice or coconut oil can soothe mild tracheal collapse.

Honey for Dogs: Daily Doggy Fix

Try out honey and see what it can do for your dog (and for you). If you want something really natural, healthy, and good for your dog, there's a decent selection of organic, natural raw honey for dogs on Amazon.

Eco Bee Farm Raw Honey has been very popular among owners.

Start with a teaspoon a day, and stop if you notice anything unsavory, like itching, swelling, diarrhea, weight gain, etc.

Not every dog is going to respond well to honey, just like they dont all respond well to medications.

I love honey, and I use it daily for me and my dogs. I hope that you can enjoy the health benefits of honey for dogs and people, too!

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