HONEY 4 DOGS
You might have wondered whether honey is good for dogs, well we have some sweet news for you! The short answer is yes, honey can be amazing for all around pup health and it’s not just honey, but also other products from the beehive such as pollen, propolis, beeswax and royal jelly. Honey is full of the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants your dog needs to stay happy and healthy. Let’s look at some of the ways honey (and its by-products) can help your dog.
1. Honey for Allergies
If your dog gets seasonal allergies, he could seriously benefit from honey. Honey contains trace amounts of flower pollen. Slowly introducing honey into your dog’s diet can help him recognize the pollen molecule and create antibodies. When the warm weather arrives, these antibodies prevent an autoimmune response to airborne pollen. Local honey is even better because it contains the local pollen that can be bothersome to your dog. Pollen also contains Quercetin – a bioflavonoid with antihistamines. These antihistamines can help decrease watery eyes and itchiness. Raw, unfiltered honey is best to prevent seasonal allergies.
2. Honey for Skin Problems
If your dog suffers from hot spots, eczema, insect bites or any wounds topical honey can help soothe and heal these common pup probs. Raw honey has antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties, much like coconut oil or turmeric (all ingredients found in our PLDF meals) Its low moisture content makes it hard for bacteria to grow, and get this… honey produces low levels of hydrogen peroxide! This strong antiseptic even sanitizes without harming the healing tissues. Nature is so amazing. The enzymes in honey even help stimulate skin growth and reduce pain and inflammation.
Inside Tip: If honey is too thick, thin it out by placing the jar in a warm water. This makes it easier to spread. After you apply it to desired area, cover with bandages to prevent your pup from licking.
3. Honey for Digestion
Does your dog suffer from digestive issues? A bit of honey daily can be an easy way to help with these stomach upsets. Honey contains both prebiotics and probiotics. These play a big role in healthy digestion.
PLEASE NOTE : If you want to give your diabetic dog honey, monitor how it affects his blood glucose or ask your holistic vet first. Avoid giving honey to dogs under 1 year of age. Raw honey may contain Clostridium botulinum spores. Because puppies are still developing their immune system, these spores could make them very sick.
Other Helpful Solutions from The Beehive
So far, we’ve covered the benefits of honey. But honey isn’t the only way bees can help your dog feel awesome. Bee pollen, propolis, royal jelly and beeswax all offer natural health remedies. For example, pollen is known to scavange free radicals. Free radicals are damaged cells, they can come from exposure to chemicals, pesticides and radiation. These damaged cells seek out other electrons, to make themselves whole again. This causes damage to other cells, proteins and DNA in your dog’s body, leading to cancer, premature aging and other common diseases. Bee pollen can fight against eliminating these free radicals. And that can help your dog live longer! In addition to pollen, bees also carry resins back to the hive. These resins are turned into propolis which makes their honeycomb and hive stronger. Propolis is a natural antibiotic. It has been used to take care of infections for thousands of years. It also has cancer fighting properties. Similar to honey, propolis can be applied topically to help heal wounds.
How Much Honey Is Safe For Dogs?
Honey can be a magic ingredient to add to your dog’s diet, but don’t forget, it’s also a simple sugar.
Follow these guidelines to make sure your dog doesn’t get too much:
- Up to 10lbs – ¼ teaspoon of honey daily
- 10-20lbs – ½ tsp daily
- 20-50lbs – 1 tsp daily
- 50lbs+ – up to 2 tsp daily
As with all new things, start small and slowly. You can add a drop to his/her food until he/she gets used to the smell and taste. As he/she gets more familiar to it, start adding a bit more until you’re giving him/her the right amount of honey for his/her weight. Remember to always watch for changes in behavior and bowel movements to be sure it agrees with him/her.
