Honey is considered a health supplement for both humans and animals, as it contains natural sugar, minerals, vitamins, and antibacterial and antifungal substances, in addition to its ability to treat stomach ulcers, and some infections such as; sore throat, it also has a role in reducing allergies in dogs to a minimum, and other benefits.[١]
Is honey safe for dogs?
Honey is considered safe for dogs due to its health benefits as mentioned earlier, but it should be given in small quantities, it can be used as a sweetener for drinks and foods, [٢] it should also take into account the type of honey used, as dogs should be given raw honey as much as possible, due to the following reasons:[٣][٤]
Because this type of honey is harvested directly from the hives without being subjected to any heating processes above 180 degrees Fahrenheit, which means it is completely pure and free from pasteurization, processing, or heating processes that lead to honey losing some of its health value if exposed to one of them.
As for honey sold in packages and bottles, this type has been exposed to previous processes, which led to the killing of beneficial bacteria in it, and the loss of some health benefits such as pollen, and therefore will not provide the same benefits as raw honey.
You can find out about raw honey from the processor by noticing the obvious change in the color of the processed honey, and its watery consistency.
The benefits of honey for dogs
There are many benefits that honey provides to dogs, the most important of which are the following:[٣]
Stimulates energy in dogs: Honey is considered a simple carbohydrate that provides the dog with energy, so giving the dog a dose of honey before the start of the competition is a natural and powerful stimulator of his energy.
Helps with digestive problems: Honey is a natural sedative for stomach disorders, especially in the event that the dog has eaten a large amount of fresh grass.
Helps dogs suffering from allergies: it should be taken into account that honey will not relieve the dog’s allergy to food, but only relieves its allergy to pollen, provided that the honey used is raw, locally made, and the reason is due to the fact that local honey contains the same pollen as in the dog’s environment, so over time this allergy decreases to a minimum.
Accelerates the healing of wounds and scratches: if the wounds of the dog are deep, you should immediately go to the veterinarian, but in the case of superficial wounds or scratches and even minor burns, the use of honey accelerates healing, because it contains antibiotics that help heal them, by putting a thin layer of honey on the wound or burns, and then covering it with a piece of cloth so that the dog does not lick it, and to keep the furniture clean from the dog’s movements and collisions.
Helps to calm the cough of dogs: some types of honey have antibacterial properties, which help to alleviate the cough in dogs.
Situations in which you should avoid feeding honey to dogs
Honey is like any ingredient added to the dog’s diet, it may be suitable for some types of dogs, and not suitable for others, so there are some factors that must be taken into account before giving some dogs honey to the dog, which is as follows:[٣]
Fat Dog: This is because honey contains natural sugar, and therefore it contains high calories if not taken in moderate amounts, otherwise it will lead to obesity and other weight-related problems.
Diabetic dog: a veterinarian should be consulted before giving honey to a diabetic dog; this is because honey raises the blood sugar level, so it is unhealthy for the dog with it, however, honey is considered a safe place to raise the blood sugar level if it decreases in the dog.
A small dog or one who has a weak immune system: it is forbidden to give honey to dogs who are not older than a year, and dogs that suffer from immune problems, the reason for this is that their immunity is sensitive, and honey may contain germs that cause food poisoning, which in turn may cause paralysis in dogs.[٥][١]
Ways to feed honey to dogs
There are several ways to give honey to a dog, the most important of which are the following:[٣][١]
First, you should find out the right ration of honey for the dog, it should be no more than a teaspoon per day.
You can let the dogs lick the honey spoon directly.
You can spread a thin layer of honey on the dog’s favorite food, put some honey on a slice of apple, banana, or any safe fruit intended for animals, and mix it with some pumpkin puree, cream cheese, yogurt, or with peanut butter.
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