Honey is sweet, natural, and delicious – what more could you ask for? Well, not only does this tasty golden nectar offer wonderful health benefits to us humans, it can actually provide the same plethora of health-promoting qualities to our fur babies, too! But is it okay to feed our dogs honey?
The simple answer is yes! Honey is packed with a multitude of vitamins and minerals that can help your pup’s health in more ways than one, including supporting gut, digestive, and skin health. However, with anything you feed your dog, you need to make sure you know the risks, and whether or not it is the right food for your four-legged friend…
Is Honey Good For Dogs?
As said above, honey can offer your dog incredible health benefits, very similar to those that it offers us humans. This superfood is packed full of nutrients that can seriously benefit your dog’s health – plus the natural antioxidants found in honey are vital for supporting normal and healthy organ functions.
Take a look at some of the vitamins and antioxidants found in honey;
- Vitamin B
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin K
- Flavanoids (antioxidant)
- Phenolic acid (antioxidant)
Each vitamin has its own powerful properties, from supporting the healing of wounds, promoting natural defenses, bone, dental and joint health, and combating harmful free radicals that can reap havoc on your pup’s body.
What Health Benefits Can Honey Give Dogs?
As long as you’re using honey in moderation, it can be completely safe and often can help with the following;
Honey Can Help Dog Seasonal Allergies
Does your dog have seasonal allergies? Well, they’re actually a lot more common than you may realize – and just like us, there are a multitude of things that can cause irritation. Turns out, if your dog does deal with seasonal allergies, honey could be the perfect ingredient to add to their diet (in moderation).
Honey naturally contains small amounts of pollen – so if you start introducing honey to your pet’s diet, this can slowly help your dog’s immune system to cope and recognize the foreign bodies, and develop antibodies to target the airborne pollen.
PetLab Co. Top Tip: Using local honey is a great way to help support your dog’s natural immune system against the pollen that can irritate them.
Honey Can Help Digestion
Honey can offer great and natural support to your dog’s gut health. Packed full of antioxidants, nutrients, and probiotics, this sweet syrup, when added to your pup’s diet in small quantities, can help provide your pet with bacterial balancing properties and a normal inflammatory response that can help support the digestive tract health.
Honey nourishes the natural gut bacteria found in the digestive system, while effectively combating free radicals, and helps to balance gut bacteria. Well, that’s quite incredible if you ask me!
Honey Can Help Dog Skin Irritation
Not only does honey support digestion, seasonal allergies, and other health issues, the vitamins E, C, and K can also be used to help skin and coat health. When it comes to skin issues such as dryness, irritation, and vulnerable skin, its beneficial properties can help to soothe those than if it was left alone.
Our pups can sometimes get up to mischief, which, unfortunately, can lead to the odd scratch or injury to their flesh. Applying a thin layer externally to the injured/affected area can offer support.
However, if you notice any skin issues or injuries worsening, or the wound is very serious, always seek medical advice from your vet as soon as possible. Honey may be a wonderful superfood, but it can’t heal everything.
When Is Honey BAD For Dogs?
Among the many positives, honey is naturally high on the glycemic index, which means this golden nectar can actually raise your dog’s blood sugar levels – which is dangerous.
If your pup has diabetes or is overweight, honey is not a great food for you to add to their diet – even in the smallest quantities. Always check with your veterinarian whenever you add something new to your pet’s diet. They will help guide you and offer support.
Sources
Author Burke, Anna “Can Dogs Eat Honey?” American Kennel Club, May 10. 2017 https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-honey/
