Can Dogs Eat Honey? Is Honey Good for Them?

Can Dogs Eat Honey Safely?

Honey is good for dogs to eat in small amounts. Honey contains natural sugars and small amounts of vitamins and minerals. Honey is used as a sweetener in many foods and beverages.

Honey is a sweet that has been around for thousands of years. It was the most popular sweetener for many centuries. There are many health benefits of eating honey, both for humans and dogs.

Archeologists have found honey alongside mummified remains from ancient Egypt! And it was still good after all this time!

Not All Honeys are the Same!

Different bees get different plants. Different honey comes out of the bee. Manuka honey comes from the manuka bush in New Zealand. It has antibacterial properties and nutrients that are 4 times higher than regular honey.

Dandelion, meadow, heather, honeydew, jarrah, tupelo honey are very healthy.

When you want to use honey for its health benefits make sure it is raw and unfiltered. Processed and pasteurized honey might not have the same health benefits because of how it is made.

Is Honey Safe for Dogs to Eat?

Honey is good for dogs. It can help them stay healthy. Honey has lots of nutrients that are good for body functions and it also has antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Here are some of these nutrients:

• Antioxidants: Honey has a lot of antioxidants in it. Antioxidants help your dog's cells from being damaged. They also reduce inflammation and boost the immune system.
• Vitamin B: The B complex vitamin is an important part of a healthy body. It helps your dog feel good and do things like stay healthy and have a better brain and metabolism.
• Vitamin D & E: Vitamin D & Vitamin E are fat-soluble vitamins. They help with bone health, the immune system, and blood clotting.
• Fat-Soluble Minerals: These minerals help the body make red blood cells and collagen. They also help muscles to develop, bones to be strong, and ligaments and tendons to grow.
• Anti-inflammatory Effects: Honey is very beneficial for senior dogs. It helps keep joint pain at bay and cure inflammation caused due to wounds, bug bites, and hot spots.
• Antimicrobial, Antibacterial, and Antifungal Properties: Honey is rich in enzymes that are perfect for reducing inflammation and soothing sore throat and stomach ulcers.
• Seasonal Allergies: Since honey has a trace amount of flower pollen, it stimulates your dog’s immune system. As a result, the immune system builds antibodies that help prevent pollen autoimmune responses.

Honey is very sweet and high on the glycemic index. It provides variants of nutrients in tiny doses, but they are still there.

Benefits of Feeding Honey to Dogs

“What are the benefits of honey for dogs?”

The major reason for giving this delicious delight to your fluffy friend is that honey offers a number of health benefits. These are further explained below.

Honey Helps with Dog Allergies

If your dog has seasonal allergies, it might need honey. Honey contains pollen that can help make antibodies for your dog. And they will be better in the summer when they are exposed to pollen because of the antibodies they got from the honey.

Local honey is best because it contains pollen your dog needs, and it also has Quercetin - a bioflavonoid with antihistamines. It can help decrease watery eyes and itchiness in dogs with allergies.

Honey Helps with Skin Problems

If your dog gets hot spots, eczema, insect bites or scrapes, scratches, or wounds you can use honey to soothe and heal them. Unpasteurized raw honey has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties.

Not only because it is low in moisture and bacteria can't grow there well but because honey produces low levels of hydrogen peroxide. This strong antiseptic sanitizes without harming the healing tissues.

Honey Helps with Cough and Throat Issues

Every day, there is a new use for honey. One is to soothe the sore throats of dogs! If they have kennel cough or other breathing problems, the honey will help them. You can use any kind of honey you want but Manuka honey works best for this.

Honey Aids Digestion

Does your dog have trouble with problems with its stomach? They can get indigestion, constipation, and diarrhea. But honey is good for them!

Honey has both prebiotics and probiotics. These play a big role in digestion. Sometimes vets recommend honey to help dogs who have stomach ulcers because of the antibacterial properties it has.

Honey Supports in Weight Management

Studies show that eating honey can slow down the hunger response. It is a simple sugar, but it breaks down differently than table sugar. This causes less insulin to be released and it is absorbed into the bloodstream more slowly.

This may slow digestion and glucose conversion in people who gain weight easily. If your dog puts on weight easily, adding honey might help him maintain a healthier weight.

Honey Works as an Energy Booster

Honey contains sugar, and sugar provides an instant energy boost. Honey's natural sugars break down more slowly than processed sugars and can increase energy levels in a healthy way. This is good for dogs who need to regain some of their spunk or help dogs with arthritis move around more easily.

Additional and Holistic Benefits

Although honey remains the most popular bee product, other things besides honey are equally beneficial.

• Bee Propolis works as a Natural Antibiotic

Other pollen, bees also carry resins back to their hives. Later, they convert these resins into propolis that strengthen their hive and honeycomb.

Propolis is an all-natural antibiotic, and it has been used for centuries to treat infections and inhibit cancer.

It could be topically applied to treat wounds.

• Royal Jelly is Beneficial for Both You and Your Dog

Royal jelly is a substance that feeds bee larvae, and it can convert a worker bee into a queen bee.

It is different from honey, and when given to canines, it helps strengthen their stamina and endurance.

• Beeswax is Great for Topical Use

Beeswax is used to construct the hive, and it is a healthy substance. To use it for your dog, melt some wax and mix it with herbal oil. This mixture can be used for dry and cracked paws and elbow calluses.

How Much Honey Can a Dog Have?

If you want to give your dog honey, talk to a vet about how much. For treats, generally, the 10% rule should be followed.

One teaspoon of honey has 17 grams of sugar and 70 calories. That is why you might only want to give them one teaspoon a day. If your dog is small, it might not be able to take as much as a large dog can.

People who have dogs should follow these guidelines to make sure their dog does not get too much honey:

• Dogs under 10 lbs: 0.25 tsp/day
• 10 - 20 lbs: 0.50 tsp/day
• 20 - 50 lbs: 1 tsp/day
• Over 50 lbs: 2 tsp/day

As with any new food, it is best to start slow and watch for any bad reactions. Start by adding just a little honey into your dog's food. When giving pollen, start with a few granules for several days and if everything is okay, increase the amount to 0.5 tsp of pollen granules per 25 lbs of weight.

“Can honey upset a dog's stomach?”

If a small puppy occasionally eats a teaspoon of honey, it should not cause any harm. But if they eat more than a tablespoon of honey, you need to watch for signs like diarrhea and vomiting. Similarly, there are other sweets that your dog should not eat like chocolates. If your pet has any symptoms from eating these sweets, contact your vet for advice.

What About Honey Related Products?

Since honey is a popular ingredient in various human foods, we can’t help but wonder whether honey-based products are safe for our dogs or not. Here we have answered some similar queries:

Can Dogs Eat Honey Nut Cheerios?

Yes! You can give your dog treats made of Cheerios. The Honey Nut flavor is safe for dogs. You should not give them a big bowl of cereal though.

Can Dogs Eat Honey Roasted Peanuts?

No! Keep your dog from eating too many peanuts. Don't feed them as a treat every day. Honey-roasted peanuts and other flavored nuts are not safe for dogs. Make sure you remove the peanut shell because it can be dangerous if they eat it or choke on it.

Can Dogs Eat Honey Ham?

No, dogs should not eat honey ham. One of the most popular types of ham is honey baked. Dogs cannot eat that type. It has a lot of salt and it also has sugar, which dogs can't have.

Can Dogs Eat Honey Buns?

No, you should not feed your dog a honey bun. Honeybuns contain sugar and carbs that are bad for dogs. Instead of eating a honey bun, find something else to eat, like a dog-friendly treat.

Can Dogs Eat Honey Mustard?

Even though honey can be good for dogs, do not let your dog eat honey mustard. If the dog eats a little, it might not make them sick. But if they eat a lot, they will get sick and could die.

Can Dogs Eat Honeydew?

Honeydew is a fruit with 90% water. It is good for both people and pets when it is hot outside. Take the rind and seeds off, then cut the honeydew into smaller pieces or use a melon baller. When it is hot outside, you can also freeze honeydew chunks in order to have a cold snack.

Can Dogs Eat Honey Graham Crackers?

Yes, your dog can eat Graham Crackers! But it is best to only give a little bit. Too much of a sweet treat will make your pup gain weight and have other negative health consequences.

Can Dogs Eat Honey Peanut Butter?

Do not give honey-roasted peanut butter to dogs. Dogs can get very sick or die because of xylitol. Honey roasted peanut butter has a very high-fat concentration, so eat it in moderation.

Can Dogs Eat Honey Wheat Bread?

Yes, dogs can eat honey wheat bread. They are just like humans who are allowed to have some now and then. It is not a bad idea because it gives your dog something to chew on. Just make sure they also have food that is complete with all the right nutrients in it, so they don't get sick or hurt.

How to Choose the Right Honey for your Dog?

As with many products these days, honey may not be what you think it is. Some grocery store-bought honey doesn't have any real honey in it. These are made with pesticides and fume boards.

So, you need to find the right kind of honey to buy at the store or farmers’ market. Here are the qualities that you need to look for in honey:

• Pure
• Raw
• Unfiltered

A Quick Tip!

If honey is raw and unfiltered, it will be dark in color. It also will have crystals in it when it is cold. If not, the honey has been made into something else. Raw honey has pollen and propolis in it which are good for you and your pet!

How to Offer Honey to Dogs?

The easiest way to offer your dog honey is through a teaspoon. You can put some on the spoon and let your dog lick it off. If you don't like sticky fingers, try smearing some honey on fresh fruit or dog treats.

You can give your dog a healthy, cool treat on hot days. Mix honey with peanut butter and freeze it. Then put it in a toy for your dog to eat.

You can also mix a teaspoon of honey with your dog's fresh fruit and vegetable smoothies to make them taste good. There are many recipes with honey on the Internet. You can make a treat and add honey.

“Can Dogs Eat Honey Raw?”

Raw honey is good if you want to sweeten up a recipe, but be careful because heating it will take away from its benefits. Use raw honey outside of the food so that it still has those benefits.

Once you feed your dog honey, you will find lots of ways to use honey in their diet. Drop it into their food and they will eat it.

Can Dogs Eat Treats Having Honey in Them?

Yes, but this does not mean that your canine can eat and enjoy honey as you do. However, a few tasty honey munchies are enough for him. Here are some treats that are approved and recommended by vets;

• Hill's Natural Soft Savories With Peanut Butter and Banana
• Hill's Grain-Free Crunchy Naturals With Chicken and Apples
• Greenies Bursting Blueberry Teenie Dental Dog Treats
• Nutro Mini Bites Berry & Yogurt Flavor Dog Treats

Besides, you can also offer homemade treats to your pooch. Some ideas include watermelon mint popsicles, peanut butter - oatmeal dog treats, and pumpkin carrot dog cupcakes.

Can Honey Be a Problem for Some Dogs?

There are some dogs that may not react well to honey. You should avoid giving them honey. These dogs are:

• Dogs Reacting to Bee Stings: Dogs who react to bee stings may also react to honey. If you want them to eat honey, start with one drop and then add more if they don't have a reaction. Watch for signs of allergic reactions.
• Puppies: Puppies and small dogs are still growing so they have weak immune systems. They do not need to eat raw honey. Raw honey might carry botulism spores, and those can make the puppy sick.
• Diabetic Dogs: Dogs with diabetes and some adult dogs should not have honey. Honey has sugar in it. The sugar can make the dog's blood sugar level go too high.
• Obese Dogs: Overweight or obese dogs need any extra sugar as it can be an additional source of weight gain. There are many other healthy snacks to give them. You can find ideas for healthy snacks on the internet.
• Immunocompromised Dogs: If your dog has a compromised immune system, don't give it honey. Dogs with auto-immune diseases, cancer, lupus, or diabetes will have a hard time fighting against the botulism spores in the honey.

Honey contains sugar. If your dog has tooth decay, it can be from the honey. You should brush your dog's teeth every week to keep the risk of tooth decay low.

So, do feed your dog honey if you want them to avail of all the benefits of honey. Just make sure to keep the above-mentioned safety tips in mind.

Happy feeding!

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