Is it safe to give honey to dogs

Is it safe to give honey to dogs

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated November 18, 2024

Contributions sourced from

Can Dogs Eat Honey?

NOTE: Always check with your veterinarian first before giving your dog any new foods, especially people foods. What might be okay for one

Honey is a go-to for when you want to make a treat even sweeter. And while we love to spread it on toast or add it to our tea, we might wonder if its safe to share with our furry friends. But can dogs have honey without any health risks?

Is Honey Good for Dogs?

Heres some sweet news: honey is non-toxic to dogs and completely safe in small quantities. Honey might even be beneficial to your pup because its rich in antioxidants, which help protect your pets body cells from damage. Certain types of honey, such as manuka honey, can even help with wound care thanks to antimicrobial properties that inhibit bacterial growth.

Honey is also filled with vitamins and minerals, including:

  • Ascorbic acid

  • Pantothenic acid

  • Niacin

  • Riboflavin

  • Calcium

  • Copper

  • Iron

  • Magnesium

  • Manganese

  • Phosphorus

  • Potassium

  • Zinc

Does Honey Help With a Dogs Cough?

We humans often use honey to help quell a scratchy throat and stop a cough. And its a home remedy that can be used for our pups, too.

That said, always contact your veterinarian if your dog is coughing. There could be many different conditions causing the coughand some are more serious than others.

Can Honey Be Bad for Dogs?

Although honey can have a lot of healthy and healing properties, its incredibly high in sugar. And if dogs eat sugar repeatedly over time (or even just a lot at once!), it can harm their health.

Eating sugar can cause your dog to have an upset stomach. This will typically showcase in minor, yet uncomfortable, symptoms such as decreased appetite, fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, and/or vomiting.

But if your dog eats a lot of sugar, either at once or over an extended time, more serious health issues can develop. This includes diabetes and obesity.

How Much Honey Can Dogs Safely Eat?

Treats of any kind should only be given to your dog in moderation and should only make up 10% of your dogs daily diet. The other 90% should come from a well-balanced dog food diet.

Honey should never be a regular part of your dogs diet. Always contact your veterinarian first before giving your dog any new treat. Based on their size, dogs should eat no more than the following portions of honey a day:

  • Extra-small dog (220 pounds) = 1/4 teaspoon

  • Small dog (2130 pounds) = 1/2 teaspoon

  • Medium dog (3150 pounds) = 1 teaspoon

  • Large dog (5190 pounds) = 2 teaspoons

  • Extra-large dog (91+ pounds) = 1 tablespoon

How To Feed Your Dog Honey

You can let your dog lick some honey off a spoon, but there are other ways that are a bit more exciting.

1. Baked Into a DIY Doggy Treat

Honey is a safe ingredient for homemade dog treats and meals. If you want to go all-out and spoil your dog, cook them some pork meatballs with a honey glaze.

2. Frozen Into a KONG Toy

Mix a little honey into some peanut butter, stuff it into a KONG toy, and let it freeze overnight. Its not only a tasty treat, but its a great way to keep your puppy occupied!

3. Blended Into a Doggy Smoothie

Honey makes a great additive to a doggy smoothie. Just add a bit with some dog-safe fruits and veggies, plus some plain, sugar-free, xylitol-free Greek yogurt, and blend. The smoothie can be served on its own in a bowl or as a topper for your dogs regular food.

WRITTEN BY

Victoria Lynn Arnold

Freelance Writer

Raw Honey Benefits For Dogs

[ad_1]Raw honey has been a popular natural remedy for humans for centuries, but did you know that it can also provide numerous benefits for our furry friends? Thats right, raw honey is not only safe for dogs, but it can also help improve their overall health and well-being in a variety of ways. In this article, we will explore the many benefits of raw honey for dogs, as well as some interesting trends related to the topic.

But first, lets delve into what exactly raw honey is. Raw honey is honey that has not been pasteurized, filtered, or processed in any way. This means that it retains all of the beneficial enzymes, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that are naturally present in honey. Raw honey is known for its antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, making it a powerful natural medicine for both humans and animals.

So, what are some of the benefits of raw honey for dogs? Lets take a look at seven interesting trends related to this topic:

1. **Improved Digestion**: Raw honey can help improve digestion in dogs by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. This can help prevent digestive issues such as constipation, diarrhea, and bloating.

**Veterinarian**: Raw honey contains prebiotics that can help support a healthy gut microbiome in dogs, leading to better digestion and overall health.

2. **Boosted Immune System**: The antioxidants and antibacterial properties of raw honey can help strengthen a dogs immune system, making them more resistant to illnesses and infections.

**Canine Nutritionist**: Raw honey is a natural immune booster for dogs, thanks to its high levels of antioxidants and antibacterial compounds. It can help keep your furry friend healthy and happy.

3. **Healing Wounds**: Raw honey has been used for centuries as a natural wound healer, thanks to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It can help speed up the healing process for cuts, scrapes, and other minor injuries in dogs.

**Holistic Veterinarian**: I often recommend raw honey as a topical treatment for wounds in dogs. Its antibacterial properties can help prevent infections and promote faster healing.

4. **Allergy Relief**: Raw honey has been shown to help alleviate allergy symptoms in dogs, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. It can help reduce itching, inflammation, and other allergic reactions in dogs with seasonal allergies or skin conditions.

**Natural Health Practitioner**: Raw honey can be a game-changer for dogs with allergies. Its anti-inflammatory properties can help soothe irritated skin and provide relief from itching and inflammation.

5. **Improved Skin and Coat Health**: The vitamins and minerals in raw honey can help improve the health and appearance of a dogs skin and coat. Regular consumption of raw honey can help reduce dryness, flakiness, and dullness in a dogs skin and coat.

**Pet Groomer**: I often recommend raw honey as a natural supplement for improving skin and coat health in dogs. Its vitamins and minerals can help nourish the skin and promote a shiny, healthy coat.

6. **Energy Boost**: Raw honey is a natural source of quick energy, thanks to its high concentration of sugars. Giving your dog a small amount of raw honey before physical activity can help boost their energy levels and performance.

**Animal Trainer**: I often recommend raw honey as a natural energy booster for dogs before training or physical activity. Its quick-digesting sugars can provide a quick burst of energy without causing digestive upset.

7. **Improved Dental Health**: Raw honey has natural antibacterial properties that can help prevent plaque and tartar buildup on a dogs teeth. It can also help freshen their breath and promote overall dental health.

**Veterinary Dentist**: Raw honey can be a great natural addition to a dogs dental care routine. Its antibacterial properties can help prevent dental issues and promote a healthy mouth.

Now that weve explored some of the benefits of raw honey for dogs, lets address some common concerns and questions related to this topic:

1. **Is raw honey safe for dogs to consume?**: Yes, raw honey is safe for dogs to consume in moderation. However, it is important to avoid giving honey to dogs with diabetes or obesity, as it is high in sugar.

2. **How much raw honey can I give my dog?**: The recommended dosage of raw honey for dogs is 1/2 to 1 teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight, up to three times a day.

3. **Can raw honey help with my dogs allergies?**: Yes, raw honey can help alleviate allergy symptoms in dogs, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. However, it is important to consult with a veterinarian before using honey as a treatment for allergies.

4. **Can raw honey help with my dogs digestive issues?**: Yes, raw honey can help improve digestion in dogs by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. It can help prevent digestive issues such as constipation, diarrhea, and bloating.

5. **Can raw honey be used topically on my dogs skin?**: Yes, raw honey can be used topically on a dogs skin to help heal wounds, soothe irritations, and improve skin health. However, it is important to use raw honey that is free of additives or preservatives.

6. **Can raw honey be used as a natural energy booster for dogs?**: Yes, raw honey can be used as a natural energy booster for dogs before physical activity or training. Its quick-digesting sugars can provide a quick burst of energy without causing digestive upset.

7. **Can raw honey help improve my dogs dental health?**: Yes, raw honey has natural antibacterial properties that can help prevent plaque and tartar buildup on a dogs teeth. It can also help freshen their breath and promote overall dental health.

8. **Can raw honey help with my dogs skin and coat health?**: Yes, the vitamins and minerals in raw honey can help improve the health and appearance of a dogs skin and coat. Regular consumption of raw honey can help reduce dryness, flakiness, and dullness in a dogs skin and coat.

9. **Can raw honey be used as a natural wound healer for dogs?**: Yes, raw honey has been used for centuries as a natural wound healer for both humans and animals. Its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties can help speed up the healing process for cuts, scrapes, and other minor injuries in dogs.

10. **Can raw honey help boost my dogs immune system?**: Yes, the antioxidants and antibacterial properties of raw honey can help strengthen a dogs immune system, making them more resistant to illnesses and infections.

11. **Can raw honey be used as a natural supplement for dogs with arthritis?**: Yes, raw honey can help reduce inflammation and provide pain relief for dogs with arthritis, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. However, it is important to consult with a veterinarian before using honey as a treatment for arthritis.

12. **Can raw honey help with my dogs weight management?**: Yes, raw honey can be used as a natural sweetener for dogs with obesity or weight management issues. However, it is important to use honey in moderation and consider its calorie content when feeding it to dogs.

13. **Can raw honey be used as a natural remedy for kennel cough in dogs?**: Yes, raw honey can help soothe the throat and reduce coughing in dogs with kennel cough, thanks to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. However, it is important to consult with a veterinarian before using honey as a treatment for kennel cough.

14. **Can raw honey be used as a natural remedy for hot spots in dogs?**: Yes, raw honey can help soothe and heal hot spots in dogs, thanks to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It can help reduce itching, inflammation, and irritation in affected areas.

15. **Can raw honey be used as a natural remedy for ear infections in dogs?**: Yes, raw honey can be used as a natural ear cleaner and infection treatment for dogs, thanks to its antibacterial properties. However, it is important to dilute honey with warm water before using it in the ears and to consult with a veterinarian if the infection persists.

In summary, raw honey can provide numerous benefits for dogs, including improved digestion, boosted immune system, healing wounds, allergy relief, improved skin and coat health, energy boost, and improved dental health. With its natural antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, raw honey can be a valuable addition to your dogs diet and overall health regimen. Just remember to use raw honey in moderation and consult with a veterinarian before using it as a treatment for specific health issues. Your furry friend will thank you for it![ad_2]

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