We love honey! Be it a drizzle over ice-creams or eating it from the honey dipper- it never fails to amaze us. But about our furry friends? Can dogs eat honey?
The answer is- YES. Dogs can eat honey safely. But are there any risks? How much honey should you give?
If these questions keep you awake, you are in the right spot! In this 5 minute read, we will discuss the benefits and risks of honey. Also, we have some really sweet ways to serve honey to dogs!
Is Honey Good For Dogs?
The good news is that this sweet delight is not toxic for dogs. Instead, there are severe health benefits of honey! This is one of the human foods that you and your pooch can enjoy together safely.
1. Anti-bacterial benefits
Let’s start with the goodness of anti-bacterial properties. These properties can do wonders for your dog’s health. From relieving inflammations to infections- honey can cure it all! Although we do not recommend giving your dog too much honey for medicinal purposes. You must ask your veterinarian before serving them honey.
2. Best home remedy
Honey is famous for being used as a home remedy. If your dog has a cough or cold, you can serve them honey for relief. Honey helps to reduce throat soreness and allergies. You can warm some water and mix honey and ginger juice for the best results. You can add up to 1 tablespoon of honey and serve it to your dog three times a day.
3. Energy booster
Honey can also be a quick source of energy. Unless your dog is allergic to honey, you can treat them with half a teaspoon daily. This will give your dog an instant energy boost. If not, it still relieves your dog’s sweet tooth!
What Are The Risks of Serving Your Dog Honey?
Before you feed your dog honey, you must go through all the potential risks it can bring to your dog. Here you go:
1. Obesity
Too much honey can lead to a calorie explode in dogs. If your dog is on a weight management plan, we do not recommend serving them honey more than once a day. You should only give them honey for a change of taste. Not only is honey high in calories, but sugar. These can lead to an increase in the weight of dogs.
2. For diabetic dogs? Hell no.
Honey has fructose and glucose compounds that can lead to spikes in blood sugar levels. If your dog is diabetic, honey is no less than a toxin. You can let your dog lick a few drops if your dog craves honey. However, honey or any sugary treat should be a part of your pooch’s diet. Please consult your veterinarian for further information on this.
3. Dental Disaster
We have all studied in schools how sugary treats and candies can get stuck in teeth and cause cavities. The same happens with dogs. Brushing these canine companions at least once a day would be best. Not brushing after eating sweet candies or honey can lead to cavities and tooth decay. So, to avoid dentist visits, please take the necessary precautions.
4. Allergies
Another common problem in dogs is Allergies. You should always start by serving your dog honey in small amounts over an infrequent period. This will give you time to monitor their health or look out for allergic reactions. The reaction can have symptoms like- vomiting, discomfort, lethargy, or itching.
If this is the case, be sure to get in touch with your veterinarian immediately.
Moreover, honey can also interact with other medications. If your dog is already on medications for diabetes or any illness, you must confirm with your veterinarian before introducing any new food items to your dog.
Fun and Safe Ways to Give Your Dog Honey
If you want to feed your dog honey, why not go the extra mile to make it more enjoyable? Several health benefits of honey can make a great pair with other nutritious food items. So let’s explore:
1. Mix with kibbles
“We love eating the same old kibbles every day,”- said no dog ever! As a responsible dog owner, it is your duty to be the world’s best chef for your pup. So, if you are a lazy person who wants to spice up things for your dog, you can add honey to their kibbles. This is a simple yet effective way to get your dog to stop throwing tantrums and eat food.
Honey enhances the flavor of everything. Especially if your dog has a sweet tooth, they will love their regular meals with a drizzle of honey.
Note: Please do not add honey to your dog’s meals unless you consult your veterinarian. Diabetic dogs may have exceptions with honey and sugary meals.
2. Lick ’em off!
Does your dog love to chew on random objects around the house? We know it can be not very pleasant to keep an eye on them every hour. But we have a solution for it! You can distract your dog by tossing them chew toys covered in a thin layer of honey. Believe us- they’ll keep licking that chew bone, and none of your slippers will be shredded (just yet).
You only need to drizzle some drops of honey on the chew toy and spread it. Do not dip it in honey, as it can be too much for dogs and can harm their health.
3. Frozen treats
This treat will be great for all dogs- puppies, adults, toothless dogs, seniors, or the ones in existential crisis. You can make a frozen honey recipe for your pooch that they can share with you, too!
The first one is:
Step 1: Mix plain and unsweetened yogurt with half a spoonful of honey.
Step 2: Freeze the honey yogurt in a small ice cube tray.
Finally, Step 3: Joke. It doesn’t exist! This recipe is just two steps long. This frozen honey-yogurt recipe may also work for diabetic dogs. You can add fruits like avocados, bananas, or apples to make the treat more fibrous.
Conclusion
Our final thoughts on “can dogs eat honey?” are that dogs can eat honey safely. It has excellent medicinal properties. Not only does honey taste good, but you can go creative with the yummiest recipes for your dog.
Lastly, considering the risks and feeding your dog honey in moderation will not harm your dog or you.
Frequently Asked Questions
You should not give your dog too much honey. The right amount to give depends on the size of the dog. You can give them about 1/4th of a spoon if you have a small dog like chihuahua. Whereas if you have a medium to big dog like Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen, you can serve them half a teaspoon to 1 teaspoon daily. Lastly, if you have a dog like an adult German Shepherd, you can give them about two tablespoons a day.
No, you should not give your dog honey nut Cheerios. Even though neither of the products is toxic to dogs, the ingredients of Cheerios are. If your dog ate a few Cheerios, it will not cause any harm. But you should not intentionally toss your dog due to the additional sugar, preservatives, and chemicals that do not benefit dogs.
Honey has the magical ability to relieve sore throat and cold. You can give your dog one tablespoon of honey thrice a day (or more if needed). You can mix honey in warm water with ginger for best results and not give your dog a sugar rush. All these ingredients work together well as a home remedy.
Even though honey is excellent for dogs, honey mustard is not. You see, dogs cannot eat anything that includes spices, sauces, or exotic seasonings. It may taste great for humans, but dogs can get allergic reactions. Any mustard will contain spices and high-calorie content like mayonnaise. Instead of this, you can give your dog peanut butter!
Yes, honey has anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties, which helps to fight infections and bacteria. Manuka honey is also famous for its magical properties of healing wounds. But we only recommend using the honey orally and not applying it on the wounds. Especially bleeding wounds should never be covered with honey. Please consult your veterinarian before using honey for medical purposes on your dog.
