In recent times, there has been a growing trend among pet owners to incorporate honey into their dogs’ diets through the use of specialized dog treats.

But before jumping on the bandwagon, it is essential to question whether this sweet nectar is truly beneficial for dogs.

In this discussion, we will explore the origins of honey, the potential health benefits of feeding it to dogs, and the recommended quantities for safe consumption.

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Is Honey Safe for Dogs to Eat?

Whilst it may not be wise to share your honey nut cheerios with your dog, dog treats containing honey are becoming increasingly popular amongst pet owners…but is this sweet nectar worth the buzz? It may be mostly safe (with a few exceptions, discussed below), but is honey good for dogs?

As it turns out, honey has many health benefits and can be safely included in your dog’s diet in small quantities, so long as he or she is healthy and of adult age. Let’s take a look at where honey comes from, the health benefits of feeding a dog honey, and how much honey you can feed your dog.

Where Does Honey Come From?

It all starts when the warm weather arrives, and worker bees can suddenly be seen in droves collecting flower nectar. Bees fly from flower to flower, storing nectar in their “honey stomach” (which is separate from their actual stomach). When this honey stomach is full, the bees carry their load back to the hive, where the nectar is then passed to other bees (by regurgitation). Nobody said this wasn’t going to be gross!

The nectar is passed between worker bees, becoming a little more adapted each time until eventually honey is formed. This raw honey is then stored in honeycomb, and worker bees fan with their wings to keep things nice and cool. The hive will protect the honey (and their Queen) with their lives if necessary; when a bee stings in defence, it is fatal for the bee.

Can Honey Help Dogs?

Honey is generally considered by the veterinary community to have two main uses for adult dogs. Firstly, Manuka honey has well known anti microbial and anti inflammatory properties, meaning that topical honey can be helpful with wound healing. Secondly, honey can be rubbed onto the gums of a canine patient with low blood glucose (medically termed hypoglycaemia) to provide a rapidly acting blood glucose boost.

Honey also has a number of documented health benefits when fed as part of a balanced diet. Let’s take a closer look at some of these.

Health Benefits of Honey

Antioxidants

One of the main health benefits of honey is that it provides a powerful dose of antioxidants [1], and letting your dog eat honey in small amounts may help clear free radicals from the body. Not all honey is created equally, and it’s known that raw honey tends to contains more antioxidants than pasteurized honey.

Anti Microbial, Anti Fungal and Anti Bacterial Properties

Honey – especially Manuka honey – has well documented anti microbial, anti fungal and anti bacterial properties, and has been highly valued as a topical wound treatment since Ancient Egyptian times! It’s likely that mankind has been giving honey to dogs for centuries.

Anti Inflammatory Properties

Honey is well known for its ability to reduce inflammation [2], and many pet owners will have heard the anecdote that honey may be able to ease kennel cough symptoms – particularly sore throat – in dogs. Whilst unproven, it’s likely this legend has some truth to it, since honey is indeed known to ease sore throats in human patients. However, if you believe your dog may have kennel cough it’s important to see a vet in the first instance, to check for anything more serious. Some dogs afflicted by respiratory tract infections will require antibiotic treatment too, so please don’t skip on the vet visit.

B-complex Vitamins

Honey may also be good for your dog’s health due to containing a relatively high level of B-vitamins, which help support your dog’s immune system and may even help boost your dog’s energy levels. Heating honey removes some of this benefit, as B-vitamins are fairly heat sensitive and can easily be destroyed at high temperatures.

Fat-soluble Vitamins and Minerals

Honey is a source of the fat soluble vitamins A, D and E (outlined above), which contribute to healthy vision and skin, immune system function and skeletal development, amongst other health benefits. Fat soluble minerals such as copper can also be found in honey, with raw honey containing more than processed honey.

Vitamin D

Feeding honey to your dog can also provide vitamin D, which has a crucial role in regulating the body’s calcium and phosphorus levels, thereby keeping bones, teeth and muscles healthy.

Vitamin E

When dogs eat honey, they’re topping up their levels of vitamin E, too. Vitamin E is essential for a healthy body, and prolonged deficiency is known to cause blindness, neurological symptoms and an impaired immune system.

Seasonable Allergy Relief

In humans, limited research suggests that eating local honey might be able to improve seasonal allergies; that is, allergic reactions to allergens that are only present at certain times of year, such as flower pollen. Whilst the effectiveness of honey as a means of providing seasonal allergy relief in dogs has yet to be determined, there is no harm in feeding small quantities of honey to most dogs [3].

A Role in Treating Stomach Ulcers?

Some pet parents may have read that honey can help soothe stomach ulcers in dogs. This concept has come from two separate sources: firstly, the discovery that honey could be helpful in treating ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori in human patients, and secondly, relatively recent research suggesting that honey may be useful in the treatment of experimentally induced ulcers in rats.

The reality of the situation is that there is no conclusive evidence that feeding honey to your dog is helpful in preventing or treating gastric ulceration. Furthermore, since these ulcers are a very serious (potentially life threatening) problem, it’s absolutely vital to see a vet without delay if your pet is showing any signs of gastric ulceration.

You should never feed your dog honey instead of seeking appropriate veterinary attention.

What Can Happen if a Dog Eats Honey?

For healthy canines, a small amount of honey will simply boost your dog’s energy levels and perhaps provide a few health benefits as outlined under “Health Benefits of Honey”. However, if your dog suffers with any medical conditions, is overweight or is still a puppy, then you should probably not feed honey to your pet.

When to Avoid Feeding Honey to Dogs?

Raw honey should never be fed to puppies due to the risk of unpasteurized honey containing botulism spores. Whilst adult dogs are usually able to tolerate raw honey due to having a more developed immune system, puppies have a relatively underdeveloped immune system.

For the same reason, pets with compromised immune systems should not eat honey.

As a further warning, you should never give a diabetic dog honey. Diabetic dogs should eat low sugar dog food (ideally a prescription dog food that is specifically formulated for diabetic dogs), in consistent amounts and at consistent times every day.

Treats must be avoided, and giving a diabetic dog honey risks destabilising the condition.

Too much honey can also be harmful to your dog’s teeth, contributing to the development of caries. Large breed dogs appear to be more resilient to dental disease compared to smaller pets, but honey should still only be fed as an occasional treat.

Keep in mind too that most senior dogs will have some degree of pre-existing dental disease.

Finally, overweight and obese dogs should not eat honey, and should instead eat a calorie restricted diet as prescribed by their veterinary surgeon in order to facilitate a healthy rate of weight loss.

How Much Honey Can a Dog Have?

Small Dogs

The more petite your dog’s body, the less honey you can feed him or her. Healthy adult small breed dogs (10lb or less) can have up to 1/4 teaspoon of honey per day.

Medium Dogs

If your dog’s body is a little bigger, it rationally follows that they can handle a little more honey! Medium sized dogs (10-30lb in weight) can safely be fed 1/2 teaspoon of honey daily, again assuming they are healthy and of adult age.

Large Dogs

Dogs weighing more than 30lb can have a full teaspoon of honey daily. As always, this guideline is on the assumption that your dog’s immune system is healthy, and that he or she is of adult age, normal weight and with no medical conditions.

Dogs Can Eat Honey in Moderation

In conclusion, honey can indeed offer various health benefits to dogs when used appropriately and in moderation. As a natural product rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, honey can support a dog’s overall health and well-being.

Its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties can be particularly advantageous for soothing minor ailments and promoting a healthy immune system.

However, it is crucial to exercise caution and adhere to specific guidelines when incorporating honey into a dog’s diet. Puppies, dogs with certain health conditions, or those prone to obesity should avoid honey consumption altogether.

For healthy adult dogs, small amounts of honey can be a sweet and nourishing addition to their diet, but it should never replace a balanced and vet-approved meal plan.

As with any dietary change, it is always best to consult a veterinarian to ensure that the introduction of honey does not pose any risks and aligns with the dog’s specific needs.

So, while sharing honey nut cheerios with your furry friend may not be advisable, the buzz surrounding honey-infused dog treats appears to be supported by its potential benefits when used responsibly.

Read here to find out how often should you take your dog to the vet.

Read here about common dog allergies.

Reference List:

[1] Ahmed et al. Honey as a Potential Natural Antioxidant Medicine: An Insight into Its Molecular Mechanisms of Action. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity. (2018)

[2] Samarghandian, S., Farkhondeh, T. and Samini, F. Honey and Health: A Review of Recent Clinical Research. Pharmacognosy Research. (2017)

[3] Yong et al. The Potential use of Honey as a Remedy for Allergic Diseases: A Mini Review. Frontiers in Pharmacology. (2020)