Honey, a sweet liquid from bees, contains natural sugars and is said to have many medicinal properties, and is commonly found in our homes. If your dog has found a jar of honey or if you are planning to give it to them for medicinal purposes, you will want to find out if dogs can drink honey. Does honey have any health benefits for dogs? This article will solve that question for you.
Is Honey Good for Dogs?
In moderation, dogs are okay to consume honey. Natural sugars and trace levels of vitamins and minerals are contained. In many meals and beverages, honey also serves as a sweetener.
But there is a cost associated with that sweetness. If owners give their dogs an excessive amount of honey, don’t give them enough exercise, and don’t provide a balanced diet, the high sugar content of honey may cause obesity in dogs. If you offer your dog honey, brushing their teeth could be a good idea since sugars can also contribute to dental decay.
Excellent natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects may be found in raw honey. However, due to the possibility of botulism spores, you should not give raw honey to pups or dogs with weakened immune systems. Dogs that are overweight or diabetic also shouldn’t consume honey.
Benefits of Feeding Dogs Honey
Dogs who eat honey in moderation will help them become healthy. When we mention honey’s health advantages, we’re referring to raw, unpasteurized honey. It is not only full of nutrients, including vitamins and minerals but also contains proteins, essential oils, and phytonutrients necessary for good health. On the other hand, high fructose corn syrup and other additives can be found in heated or processed honey, which lessens its health benefits.
- Antioxidants: Honey’s potent antioxidant capabilities are due to the vitamins A, C, and E, as well as phenolic acid and flavonoids. They fight off the free radicals that harm your dog’s cells through oxidative stress. They also assist in boosting your dog’s immune system and reducing inflammation.
- B-complex vitamins: are the foundational nutrients of a healthy body. They help your dog’s metabolism, cognition, and energy levels.
- Vitamin D and vitamin E: Both are fat-soluble vitamins that maintain bone health, control your dog’s immune system, and have qualities that help blood clot.
- Fat-soluble minerals: Elements including copper, magnesium, manganese, and copper help produce collagen and red blood cells. They also support the formation of ligaments and tendons, muscles, and bone density.
Health benefits of honey.
In addition to its nutritional components, honey contains the following fantastic benefits to support your dog’s health:
- Honey Can Help With Allergies: Quercetin is another bioflavonoid in pollen with antihistamine properties. Additionally, this may lessen itching and watery eyes. Honey may be helpful for your dog if he suffers from seasonal allergies. Pollen from flowers can occasionally be found in honey. Pollen is gradually ingested by your dog when you offer him honey. He produces antibodies, thanks to this. These antibodies shield the body against an autoimmune reaction to airborne pollen as it becomes warm.
- Honey For Skin Problems: Honey that hasn’t been pasteurized possesses antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial effects. It is difficult for germs to thrive due to their low moisture content, and the amount of hydrogen peroxide produced by honey is small. This antiseptic sanitizes without endangering the tissues that are mending. Additionally, honey lessens inflammation and discomfort.
- Honey For Cough And Throat Irritation: Honey is a fantastic solution to relieve kennel cough or other respiratory irritations in your dog.
- Honey For Digestion: A little honey each day might be a valuable remedy for various tummy troubles. Prebiotics and probiotics are both presents in honey. They are crucial for a healthy digestive system.
- Honey For Weight Control: According to studies, ingesting honey can reduce the hunger reaction. Although honey is a simple sugar, it breaks down differently from table sugar. It absorbs into circulation more slowly and requires less insulin. That implies that it can hinder the conversion of glucose during digestion. A little honey may help your dog maintain a healthy weight if he gains weight rapidly.
Other Benefits Of Honey For Dogs
Bees can benefit your dog in more ways than just providing honey. Beeswax, royal jelly, propolis, and pollen are all natural health remedies.
Bee Pollen: Worker bees bring the pollen they collect during flower pollination to their colonies. The bees use this pollen as a whole food supply. So our honey contains a small amount of pollen. Therefore, allergies might be treated by it.
Pollen is also known to scavenge free radicals. They may result from exposure to chemicals, insecticides, or radiation, but they may be a consequence of metabolism. These injured cells look for more electrons to help them heal. As a result, your dog develops cancer, accelerates aging and other common ailments, and harms other cells, proteins, and DNA in its body. Bee pollen can combat these free radicals, strengthening your dog’s immune system and reducing the aging process.
Propolis: An organic antibiotic is propolis. For thousands of years, people have used it to treat infections. Additionally, it has anticancer effects. Propolis is a topical substance that may be used, like honey, to aid wound healing.
Royal Jelly: Giving your dog royal jelly might be a fantastic method to increase their endurance and stamina. Even stress and anxiety may be helped by it.
Beeswax: Beeswax is utilized to build the hive and may be used to create a beneficial dog salve. Melt the wax and combine it with oils infused with herbs (like calendula or plantain). Apply that concoction to treat elbow calluses or moisten dry cracked paws.
A Word Of Caution About Giving Honey To Your Dog
Dogs younger than a year old should not be given honey. Spores of Clostridium botulinum may be present in raw honey. These spores could make pups sick since their immune systems are still growing in them.
Therefore many health benefits for dogs, you should learn about the risks of honey.
If your dog has diabetes, use honey with extreme caution. According to certain studies, honey may have some anti-diabetic properties in individuals who have diabetes (type 2 diabetes). However, the majority of canines are affected by type 1 diabetes. That indicates that their pancreas isn’t producing insulin correctly. So, Consult your holistic veterinarian first If you wish to feed honey to your dog.
How Much Honey Can You Feed Your Dog?
Sugar is present in large quantities in honey. Despite being a natural sugar, it can still be problematic for dogs that have diabetes, are fat, or have immune system deficiencies.
Having 70 calories and 17 grams of sugar per teaspoon of honey. One teaspoon per day is often well tolerated and beneficial for dogs. The following recommendations are based on your dog’s weight:
- Small dogs (less than 10 pounds) may consume 1/4 teaspoon daily.
- Medium dogs (10–20 pounds) may consume 1/2 teaspoon daily.
- Larger dogs (20 to 50 pounds) can consume one teaspoon daily.
- Large breed dogs (weighing more than 50 pounds) may consume two tablespoons daily.
If you’re thinking of feeding any to your dog, talk to your veterinarian to see whether honey is healthy for your dog to consume, and think about giving them a treat that has less sugar. Additionally, If your dog is overrated, its blood sugar levels may be raised, resulting in symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, or appetite loss. If you notice these symptoms, see your veterinarian.
Dogs Who Should Avoid Eating Honey
Dogs with health problems that require careful nutritional management, such as dogs with diabetes or obesity, puppies and dogs allergic to bee stings, etc.
Consider carefully before feeding honey to a dog.
Honey Can Cause Problems for These Dogs
Dogs allergic to bee stings: Should be aware that this reaction doesn’t frequently occur in dogs. True food allergies are considerably rarer and more regularly linked to specific proteins, such as eggs. Additionally, even among humans, allergies to honey are rare.
Puppies: As raw honey may contain botulism spores, a microbe that produces the botulinum toxin that can cause paralysis, young puppies younger than two years old and canines with weakened immune systems shouldn’t be fed it.
Dogs with diabetes or obesity: Due to its high sugar content, honey should be avoided by diabetic or obese dogs.
Dogs with weakened immune systems: They should not consume honey. This group includes canines with diabetes, cancer, lupus, or auto-immune illnesses.
Dental problems: Due to the high sugar content of honey, tooth decay might result. By giving your dog a weekly dental cleaning, you may eliminate this danger.
What Kind Of Honey Can I Give My Dog?
Different kinds of honey
Not all kinds of honey are created equal. Worker bees get honey from different flowers, which means they produce different honey, so there are many types of honey on the market today, such as coffee flower honey, dandelion honey, etc.
For instance, New Zealand’s manuka bush is the source of manuka honey. It has the greatest antibacterial value of any honey and is four times more nutrient-rich than conventional honey. Manuka honey helps alleviate coughing in dogs that have kennel cough and soothe sore throats.
Many goods seen in supermarket stores contain little or no actual honey. Others are reared in fume hoods or with pesticides. Therefore, pay attention to how honey is prepared if you wish to use it for its therapeutic properties. If at all possible, try to find organic, raw, and unfiltered honey.
Conclusion
You should keep raw honey in an airtight, sealed container since it has a long shelf life. Your raw honey should be stored in a cool, dry area. The honey should not be boiled since the intense heat would destroy it.
A terrific way to strengthen your relationship with your dog by sharing a favorite dish with some possible health advantages. A positive relationship with your pet can improve your health and happiness.