Can dogs eat honey? This question is a common one because there are many people who will tell you that honey is bad for your pet’s health. If you are confused about whether or not you can add a spoonful of this sugary delight to your pup’s meal, you have come to the right place.

Can Dogs Eat Honey?

Well, the short answer is yes. Dogs can eat honey. It is packed with nutrients like vitamins and antioxidants that can enhance the taste as well as the nutritional value of your dog’s meal. Honey has also been found to have antibacterial properties, so if your dog is ill or was recently injured and needed surgery, you can feed them some honey to help speed up their recovery and restore their immune system.

For more detailed information about honey and dogs, keep reading the article!

Nutritional Value of Honey

• Contains enzymes that help boost chemical reactions within the body.
• Consists of minerals like zinc, iron, manganese, phosphate, calcium, copper, sodium, magnesium, and potassium.
• Packed with Vitamins like B complex, C, D, E, and K.
• Rich in antioxidants, such as phenolic acids and flavonoids.

5 Reasons Why Honey Is Beneficial to Dogs

Honey is as nourishing to your pet as it is to you. Here are 5 reasons why honey is beneficial to your canine’s health:

1. Allergies:

   The pollen in honey helps create antibodies that help to strengthen your dog’s immune system. It responds to allergies by boosting the protective protein of the immune system.

2. Skin problems:

   Honey helps to improve your dog’s skin. It helps to soothe and heal hot spots, insect bites, scratches, and wounds. It also reduces swelling and pain.

3. Indigestion:

   Honey contains both prebiotics and probiotics, which induce the growth of friendly bacteria in your dog’s gut. They help in improving the digestive system and treat digestive issues such as diarrhea, constipation, and indigestion.

4. Cough and throat pain:

   You may have added a spoonful of honey in hot water to cure cough and throat pain, haven’t you? Likewise, you can feed your dog a half spoonful of honey to provide them relief from kennel cough and irritation in the throat.

5. Arthritis:

   Honey has anti-inflammatory properties that help ease Arthritis, a condition that causes swelling of joints and brings pain, stiffness, and discomfort in dogs. Honey helps to ease joint mobility so that your pet can move easily.

Honey is also used for medical purposes. If your pet doesn’t respond well to antibiotics, for example, you could try giving them some honey along with their favorite meal. The anti-bacterial properties of honey alone mightn’t be enough, but it definitely strengthens their immune system.

Things to Be Cautious About

1. Honey has high sugar content. If you feed too much honey to your dog, they may suffer from
2. Too much honey can cause tooth decay. Remember to brush your dog’s teeth whenever you feed them honey or honey-based treats.
3. Avoid honey if your dog is diabetic or obese.

There is always a possibility that your dog might be allergic to honey. Serious allergic reactions may lead to a condition called Anaphylaxis which can be fatal. Allergic reactions might include itchy skin, vomiting, or diarrhea. Ask your veterinarian beforehand and if you see any allergic reactions, contact your vet immediately.

How Can You Serve Honey To Your Dog?

Honey can be given to a dog in small amounts. The dosage will depend on the size of the dog, but generally, one tablespoon is enough for most dogs. As with any food that you wish to give to your pup, introduce it slowly so that they can get used to it. Never give honey straight from the jar because not all honey is safe for doggie consumption and some may contain added ingredients like sugar or corn syrup which are harmful. What you can do is mix it with fruits like apples and bananas for a fun treat. You can also spread a thin layer of honey over their favorite snack.

To help you with the quantity, here is a table that shows the right amount according to your dog’s weight.

Weight	Quantity
Up to 10 lbs	1/4 teaspoon of honey daily
10-20 lbs	1/2 teaspoon daily
20-50 lbs	1 teaspoon daily
50 lbs+	up to 2 teaspoons daily
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Good dog food is also an important component of this diet. Honey is acidic, so a dog must be given enough of the necessary minerals to balance it out, which will include vitamins and other nutrients (see if your dog food has all the necessary nutrients in them).

What Is The Right Kind of Honey for Your Dog?

Now that you know dogs are able to consume honey, you might also want to be aware of the correct type. There are two kinds of honey you will find in the market: Raw honey and Regular honey

Raw honey is extracted straight from the honeycomb. It is taken as it is from the beehive and only filtered for some natural remains. Regular honey, as found in stores, is pasteurized and filtered. It has been processed to stay clear for a long time and may also contain additional sweeteners.

You might also be interested in “Can dogs eat honeycomb?”

There are very few studies comparing the types. Regular honey might contain fewer antioxidants due to processing methods. Since raw honey doesn’t have any refining, all the nutrients are present in an adequate amount. Therefore we advise you to feed your dog raw honey instead of regular honey. Also, make sure you always obtain honey from a trusted source.

Can Puppies Eat Honey?

Honey contains Clostridium botulinum spores, which causes a dangerous type of poisoning that affects the nervous system. As puppies do not have a fully developed immune system, they cannot fight the toxins released from the spores, and might become acutely ill.

So, the answer is no. Do not give honey or any food with honey to your puppy (below 1 year of age).

Conclusion

So, can dogs eat honey? Yes. You can feed your dog honey as it’s completely natural, but as there are some harmful side effects if not fed in moderation, try limiting the amount you give them. Keep in mind to always consult your veterinarian before giving honey, or any human food to your dog.

Now that you know honey is perfectly safe for your dog when provided in moderation, explore more on other honey-related dog articles. 

How do you like to give honey to your dog? How often do you feed it? Does your pup like the sweet taste of honey? We would love to hear from you. Please share with our community by leaving a comment below!