Mowgli’s Sweet Tooth
Our beloved Doggo, Mowgli (Chief Fun Officer, iHaveDogs) loves honey! So much so that, woof, he will do anything for it. Like any responsible pawrents, Mowgli’s fam desired to find an answer to the question ‘Is honey good for dogs?’ Their search did help them understand bittersweet truths about honey, hence decided to serve it up to him only in moderation, thus making sure he gets the most out of nutritious honey, but with all care. We’d love to share those learnings with pawrents like you through this blog.
Honey is an excellent source of minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. While being naturally sweet and nutritious it’s also known for its healing benefits it can gift both hoomans and Doggos. Continue reading as we explain the health benefits of honey, tips to choose the safest & best honey, cool ways to include it in your dog’s diet plan, and more.
Honey Benefits for Dogs
Boosts Immunity
Raw Honey contains robust antioxidant properties, which enhance cellular defense by strengthening the immune system. Bee pollen in honey is known for fighting against free radicles (damaged cells) and repairing cells by creating antibodies and protecting other cells, DNA, and proteins in your Dog’s body.
Supports Digestion
Feeding a bit of honey daily is great for your pooch’s gut health. Why? Because honey contains pre and pro-biotics, their antibacterial properties can kill harmful gut bacteria and promote healthy digestion. Hence, if your pooch is suffering from irritable bowel disease (indigestion, diarrhea, constipation) or gastritis, honey serves as an excellent healing remedy.
Excellent for Healing Skin Irritations
Honey has been used for centuries to treat common skin irritations because of its antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties which help in reducing infection while promoting healing. Here’s a list of skin issues you can apply honey on your pooch’s body: Insect Bites, Eczema, Hot Spots, Scratches, Wounds.
Cough & Throat Irritation
As spoken earlier, the bee pollen in honey helps doggos strengthen their immune system and thus prevents them from seasonal allergies. Moreover, the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties reduce microbial activities and discomfort when your pooch suffers from Kennel cough, throat infections, and breathing irritations.
Aids in Weight Management
While studies show honey can help reduce weight in humans. Here’s how it could help Doggos. Firstly, honey is a nutrient-dense alternative to refined sugars as they contain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Secondly, glucose and fructose in honey offer a digestible energy source. All this potentially helps support metabolic processes related to weight regulation.
How Much Honey Can You Feed Your Dog?
| Dog size | Breeds | Daily Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Extra-small Dog | Eg: Chihuahua, Pomeranian, pugs | 1/4 Teaspoon |
| Small Dog | Eg: Indian Pariah Dog and Miniature Dachshund | 1/2 Teaspoon |
| Medium Dog | Eg: Beagles,Cocker Spaniel and Golden Retriever | 1 Teaspoon |
| Large Dog | Eg: Pit Bulls, German Shepeard and Labrador Retrievers | 2 Teaspoon |
| Extra Large Dog | Eg: Indian Mastiff, Great Dane and Bernese Mountain Dog | 1 Tablespoon |
Serving Ideas
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Serve it on Spoon: Serving on a teaspoon helps you use the spoon as a measuring tool. This way you can feed them honey in the exact proportion based on their size and breed features (Check the table above).
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Drizzle over fruit & veggie snacks: Honey can be used as a topper over fruit & veggie treats. The delicious taste of honey will make the snacks more enticing for Doggos. Make sure to measure honey on a teaspoon and drizzle it over.
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Prepare DIY Honey-sweetened frozen Yogurt pops: Mix honey with plain Yogurt and Freeze the mixture in molds to create a refreshing popsicle for your Dog on a hot day.
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Homemade Honey Dog Biscuits: Include 1 teaspoon of honey over your Homemade dog cookie mix. It’s not only an excellent alternative to refined sugars but also provides nutritional benefits in a delicious form.
FAQs
What are the side effects or risks associated with feeding honey to dogs?
Honey is considered generally safe, but overconsumption will lead to digestive issues and excess calorie intake. Some dogs might be allergic to honey, it can cause adverse reactions such as diarrhea or vomiting. In such a case consult a vet and follow precautionary steps.
Is Honey safe for dogs of all ages?
Honey is proven to be safe for puppies, adult and senior dogs. However, it’s advisable to avoid feeding honey for puppies as their immune system continues to develop.
Can diabetic dogs consume Honey?
Honey being natural sugar has lower glycemic when compared to other sweeteners. Feeding a very small amount of honey will be fine, but it’s always best to follow your vet’s suggestion. Any mismatch in proportion will lead to a spike in blood sugar in dogs with diabetes or metabolic issues.
Honey, undoubtedly, is a very flavourful and nutritious alternative to feed their sugary cravings. Its centuries-old legacy of being known for healing and nutritious properties makes it more than just a tasty treat for your fur baby. But, overconsumption or feeding an allergic pup honey will also cause problems such as stomach upsets, diarrhea, and vomiting. It may also lead to serious diseases like obesity and diabetes.
At iHaveDogs, we encourage pawrents to focus on these two crucial things. Firstly, introduce any diet only in moderation. Secondly, always consult your Vet. Their valuable suggestions are specifically based on your pooch’s health condition, age, and breed.