Honey is a versatile natural sweetener that also happens to have several health benefits. If you enjoy sharing snacks with your pet, you’ll be happy to learn that most dogs can safely eat honey in limited quantities. However, this sweet treat isn’t appropriate for all dogs, so you should check with your vet before adding it to your pup’s diet.
Keep reading to learn why most dogs can eat honey, the benefits of feeding honey, and safety and health concerns you should be aware of. We’ll also suggest some easy ways to feed your dog honey if you choose to do so.
Why Can Dogs Eat Honey?
Honey is non-toxic to dogs, making it safe for them to eat. However, because honey is high in sugar and calories, you should only offer it in limited quantities.
Honey should be considered a treat, not part of your dog’s diet. All treats, including honey, should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calorie count.
Benefits/Dangers of Feeding Honey to Dogs
Benefits
Honey offers numerous health benefits to humans and may be helpful for dogs as well. Honey contains several vitamins and minerals, including calcium, potassium, and iron. If you feed your dog a treat, offering one that includes beneficial nutrients makes more sense.
In addition, honey is full of antioxidants, which can be helpful for dogs suffering from chronic inflammation, including arthritis and allergies.
Risks
As we mentioned, honey is high in sugar and calories. Eating too much sugar can upset your dog’s stomach and cause vomiting and diarrhea. Eating a lot of high-calorie foods can lead to weight gain, obesity and associated issues like diabetes and joint issues.
Overweight dogs and those with diabetes should avoid eating honey as well. You should also be cautious about feeding your dog raw honey, which may contain dangerous bacteria.
Other Uses of Honey for Dogs
Veterinarians (and human doctors) sometimes use medical-grade honey, specifically manuka honey, to help heal wounds. Honey is known to have antibacterial properties that make it useful for this purpose, especially with burns.
Honey can also be used as a natural cough suppressant in humans. While you can give it to your dog for this purpose as well, there’s not a lot of evidence to suggest it helps. Plus, you should never give your dog a home remedy, even a non-toxic one like honey, without checking with your vet first.
Feeding Honey to Your Dog
If your vet says it’s okay to feed honey to your dog, ask how much you should use based on your pup’s daily calorie needs. Honey is often used as a natural sweetener in dog treats.
Another option is to mix honey, peanut butter, and other ingredients into a filling for your dog’s Kong or similar chew toy. You can also drizzle honey onto your dog’s kibble, mix it with fruit, or blend it into a dog-safe smoothie.
Conclusion
Honey is a non-toxic treat option for your pup, however they don’t need honey to survive. So, be sure to use it sparingly and after making sure it’s okay with your veterinarian. Remember that most of your dog’s daily calories should come from a nutritionally balanced diet. Honey is a tasty treat but can’t provide all the proper nutrients your dog needs.
Featured Image Credit: Nadianb, Thinkstock
