Is honey safe for dogs?  

Honey is a delicious, natural sweetener widely consumed by humans for its versatility and many health benefits. For example, not only can honey be included in recipes and enjoyed as a tasty topping, but (in its raw form) it also has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. 

You may be wondering whether all these benefits can be enjoyed by your dog, too? So, let’s explore the potential benefits, uses, and considerations of feeding honey to your dog…

• Is honey safe for dogs?
• Can honey help with allergies in dogs?
• Can honey be used as an alternative to other medicines and treatments for dogs?
• How much honey to give to your dog.
• How to feed honey to your dog.
• Can honey be bad for some dogs?

Is honey safe for dogs?

Yes, honey is generally safe for dogs to eat – as long as it doesn’t contain harmful additives, like xylitol. It’s essential to speak to your vet for advice before feeding any honey to your dog, however, because honey might not be suitable for all.

Although honey should only be given as an occasional treat, just as with any new food, it’s important to introduce honey to your dog gradually, to avoid an adverse reaction.

Important: Due to containing spores and potential bacteria, raw honey shouldn’t be given to puppies under one year of age or dogs with compromised immune systems.

There are some types of honey that can be used to help heal wounds as well (more about this later)! 

Can honey help with allergies in dogs?

While there’s anecdotal evidence (based on personal experience instead of scientific research) to suggest locally-produced honey helps humans with hayfever, there’s currently no evidence that the same applies for dogs. This is supported by the vets at Joii Pet Care, who said: 

“The evidence for ingesting honey to help with allergies is lacking. The pollen that is contained within the honey may not be the same as what the pet is allergic to. When a pet has an allergy, they are usually allergic to multiple things including pollen, but also other allergens that won’t be found in honey.” 

Allergies in dogs can manifest in a variety of ways, including:

• Skin irritation. 
• Itching. 
• Digestive issues. 
• Coughing. 
• Sneezing. 

The above symptoms are often caused by the release of histamines, which are chemicals to help your dog’s body get rid of something that could be harmful. If your dog starts to show symptoms of an allergy, you should speak to a vet as soon possible.  

Important: Please avoid using honey as a topical (on the skin) treatment or feed honey to dogs who are allergic to bee stings.

Can honey be used as an alternative to other medicines and treatments for dogs?

For humans, honey has been used for centuries as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, or antibacterial agent to help soothe sore throats, strengthen the immune system, or promote healing. Based on this, there could be several health benefits when using honey for your dog in some circumstances, too… 

Can honey be used to treat a dog’s wounds?

Since each wound is unique, the healing process is complex – which means that honey won’t be suitable for use on all wounds. However, there might be some situations where your vet could agree that applying a specific form of honey (e.g. medical-grade Manuka honey) to your dog’s wound may be beneficial.

Important: Ask your vet’s advice before considering the use of honey to support the healing process of your dog’s wound. 

Here are a few of the potential benefits of using medical-grade Manuka honey on your dog’s wound, following veterinary advice:

• Preventing bacteria growth due to having a low pH (bacteria prefer high pH).
• Lessening the need for antibiotics (which can cause antimicrobial resistance).
• Creating a barrier to prevent dressings from sticking to wounds.
• Removing pus from a wound through osmosis (due to the high sugar content).
• Reducing swelling and killing bacteria by drawing water from a wound.

Here are some of the other considerations you’ll need to factor in, prior to using honey to treat your dog’s injury:

• Honey shouldn’t be applied to wounds that are bleeding.
• Honey should never be applied to wounds that are already healing (i.e. shrinking wounds surrounded by moist, pink tissue).
• Standard honey that isn’t medical grade is unsuitable for use in wound care.

Remember: Not all types of honey are safe for dogs as some may contain bacteria or toxins that can do more harm than good. You should always speak to your vet prior to using honey for your dog, so they can advise the best course of treatment based on your dog’s injury.

Can honey be used to treat kennel cough?

Kennel cough describes a contagious respiratory infection in dogs which is accompanied by a dry, hacking cough. 

In humans, honey is said to soothe a sore throat, and, since honey can be anti-inflammatory, there’s a chance it could help our dogs feel a little better, too! 

It’s worth noting, however, that the effects of honey on soothing kennel cough haven’t been studied yet. So, because sore throats don’t always require treatment anyway, giving honey to a dog with kennel cough may or may not prove to be effective.

Remember: As with any condition, it’s important to speak to your vet, before trying to treat the health concern yourself, to find the appropriate treatment(s) for your dog.

How much honey to give to your dog

If you decide to give your dog honey, remember to do so in moderation. Too much honey can lead to weight gain and other health issues in dogs, owing to its high sugar content. 

When introducing honey to your dog, start with a very small amount and monitor their reaction. If your dog experiences any adverse reactions, such as vomiting or diarrhoea, don’t give them anymore honey and speak to your vet for advice.

Not all honey is the same, though. For example:

• Raw honey might be more suitable for some dogs thanks to the nutrients found naturally within it – but raw honey isn’t safe for puppies or dogs with compromised immune systems. 
• Lots of processed honey contains additives that are extremely toxic to dogs – including xylitol – and should be avoided at all costs. 
• Applying processed honey to your dog’s wound could contaminate it and cause further harm – so, it’s vital to use only medical-grade honey on wounds, as approved by your vet.
• Medical-grade honey will have been sterilised and made safe for use for wound care – whereas raw honey and processed honey wouldn’t be appropriate for this.
• Honey is unsuitable for diabetic dogs (unless they’re suffering from hypoglycaemia, when a vet might recommend offering a small amount of honey to increase blood glucose levels quickly). 

How to feed honey to your dog

Here are some creative ways to feed honey to your dog:

Spread a thin layer of honey on their favourite treat

Smear a little honey over your dog’s favourite treat. Careful, though! This can make quite a sticky mess if your dog drops it.

Put some honey on a slice of dog-friendly fruit

If your pooch enjoys eating the occasional slice of apple or banana, you could layer a little honey onto these fruits as a delicious treat!

Let them lick honey off a spoon or spatula

To avoid making a mess, coat the back of a large wooden spoon or a spatula with a thin layer of honey and offer it to your dog.

Can honey be bad for some dogs?

As long as your dog is a healthy adult, they shouldn’t have an issue with consuming honey. But it’s important to remember that honey is packed full of sugar, which can sometimes lead to health problems.

Please don’t give honey to your canine companion if they fit into one or more of the following categories:

Dogs who react to bee stings

If your dog is allergic to bee stings, unfortunately, there’s a chance they’ll have a similar reaction to honey. 

Young puppies

Since a puppy’s immune system is still developing, they shouldn’t be given raw honey because it contains spores and potential bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal issues.

Diabetic dogs

Providing they’re not suffering from hypoglycaemia, dogs with diabetes shouldn’t be fed honey. The high sugar content in honey may increase a diabetic dog’s blood sugar levels, which could cause complications.

Overweight or obese dogs

The extra sugar in honey may cause a dog to gain weight, especially if given in big amounts on a regular basis. 

Has your vet ever recommended the use of medical-grade honey to help heal an injury your dog has had in the past? Does your dog like honey? Do you have any exciting ways of creating homemade treats using honey? If so, let us know via Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or X (formerly Twitter)!