Can Dogs Have Honey? 5 Benefits of Honey

Organic honey is generally safe for dogs in moderation as an occasional treat. Honey contains vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can help support your dog’s bodily functions and overall health. Honey also contains enzymes with antibacterial properties and trace amounts of pollen, which can ease gastrointestinal issues and strengthen the immune system. Overconsumption of honey can lead to weight gain and raise blood sugar levels, which is especially dangerous for diabetic dogs.

Honey is high in sugar, so it is best to feed your dog honey in small amounts. For dogs ten pounds and below, limit their honey consumption to a quarter teaspoon a day. Ten- to twenty-pound dogs can have up to a half teaspoon of honey per day, twenty- to fifty-pound dogs can have up to a teaspoon, and those more than fifty pounds can also have up to a teaspoon of honey a day. When adding new foods to your dog’s diet, monitor your dog for signs of an allergic reaction, such as vomiting or diarrhea.

Honey, particularly raw honey, has significant health benefits. Adding honey as a supplement to your dog’s diet can have the following benefits:

1. 1. Antioxidants: The levels of vitamins A, C, and E make honey an excellent source of antioxidants. These molecules support your dog’s immune system, fight inflammation, and prevent disease.
2. 2. Enzymes: The enzymes in raw honey have antimicrobial, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. These healing properties can help treat external and internal issues, such as bug bites, hot spots, eczema, sore throats, kennel cough, or gastrointestinal problems.
3. 3. Minerals: Honey is an excellent source of copper, magnesium, potassium, and manganese, which support neurological function and help strengthen bones, ligaments, and tendons.
4. 4. Pollen: Honey contains trace amounts of pollen, which can help fortify your dog’s immune system and prevent seasonal allergies.
5. 5. Vitamins: Honey contains vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K, which are essential for various organs and bodily functions.

Different types of honey have varying nutritional value. For example, New Zealand’s Manuka honey is highly antibacterial. Unpasteurized honey from local beekeepers may help to ease environmental allergies.

While generally safe for your pooh in moderation, honey can impact your dog’s health. Before feeding honey to your dog, consider the potential risks:

1. 1. Blood sugar: Honey is a mixture of natural sugar compounds. For dogs with metabolic issues, like diabetes, consuming honey can cause a blood sugar spike. Overconsumption of honey can also cause tooth decay.
2. 2. Contaminants: Even raw honey can contain levels of unwanted substances bees might have picked up from the flowers. When shopping for honey, look for organic or local honey from a trusted source.
3. 3. Immune issues: Avoid feeding honey, particularly raw honey, to dogs with immune problems. Raw honey can contain trace amounts of botulism spores and cause stomach upset or other illnesses. It is best to avoid feeding honey to puppies as their immune systems develop.
4. 4. Weight gain: The high sugar content of honey also means caloric density. Honey might give your dog a short energy boost, but it can also lead to weight gain. Therefore, obese dogs, or those at risk of obesity, should avoid honey.

There are different ways to give your canine companion a delicious honey snack. Below are some guidelines for how to treat your dog to honey:

1. 1. Add to homemade dog food. If you prepare homemade dog food for your pooch, add raw honey as a sweetener. High heat will eliminate some of the health benefits of raw honey.
2. 2. Drizzle honey over dog food. Drizzle honey over the top of a bowl of dog food to make the chow enticing. The sweetness of honey can also be an excellent complement to other fruit and veggie snacks.
3. 3. Make frozen peanut butter and honey treats. Mix honey with peanut butter—another favorite dog treat—and freeze it. This healthy frozen treat is cooling for dogs in the summertime.
4. 4. Serve honey on a spoon. You can scoop a bit of honey onto a spoon and present it to your dog as a special treat.

Certain human foods can cause adverse reactions in canines, so always consult your veterinarian to determine whether it is safe to add these foods to your pet’s diet. This article is for educational and informational purposes and is not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.

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