Care & Products

Have you ever caught your dog watching you drizzle honey on your toast or swirl it into your tea? It’s sweet, sticky, and oh-so-delicious. However, you might be wondering if can dogs have honey safely? And if they can, how much is okay? At EcoPetEssentials, we are here to answer all your questions regarding this topic. Now, we are going to find out what’s safe, what’s not, and how this golden treat can actually be good for your furry friend in small doses.

Can Dogs Eat Honey?

Yes, dogs can eat honey, but only in small amounts! This sweet treat is a natural sugar made by bees and is not toxic to dogs. However, because it’s high in sugar and calories, it should be given as a treat, not a regular part of your dog’s diet. So if you’ve ever asked, “Can dogs have honey?” the answer is yes, but only now and then.

Is Honey Good for Dogs?

Many experts and vets say yes! Honey for dogs comes with a few health perks:

• It’s packed with antioxidants, which help protect your dog’s body from damage.
• It contains vitamins and minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium.
• You can also give them different types of honey, such as manuka honey. It can help with wound care due to its antimicrobial powers.

These are just a few benefits of honey for dogs. However, you have to remember that moderation is key!

Honey Safe for Dogs All the Time:

Is honey safe for dogs all the time? Not exactly. While honey is generally safe for adult, healthy dogs, there are some pups who should avoid it:

• Puppies under 1 year old: Their immune systems aren’t fully developed and can’t handle the bacteria that might be in raw honey.
• Dogs with weak immune systems: If your dog has a health condition or is on chemotherapy, you have to skip raw (unpasteurized) honey.
• Overweight or diabetic dogs: Honey can raise blood sugar levels and add calories that aren’t needed.

If you’re ever unsure, ask your vet before offering your dog anything new, especially “people food.”

How Much Honey Is OK for Dogs?

Now, you might be wondering how much honey to give a dog for allergies or as a treat. Here’s a simple guide to safe portions (once or twice a week only):

• Tiny dogs (2–10 lbs): 1/8 teaspoon
• Small dogs (11–20 lbs): 1/4 teaspoon
• Medium dogs (21–50 lbs): 1/2–1 teaspoon
• Large dogs (51–90 lbs): 2 teaspoons
• Extra-large dogs (91+ lbs): 1 tablespoon

These are general suggestions for honey for dogs dosage per day, but again, always check with your vet.

Honey & Dog Allergies

Some pet owners use honey to help with seasonal allergies, especially local honey. It’s believed that a small amount of honey may help your dog build up tolerance to local pollen. If you’re wondering how much honey to give a dog for allergies, follow the same portion guide above. However, you shouldn’t expect results overnight. You can always talk to your vet first before using honey for allergy support.

Fun Ways to Give Honey to Your Dog

You don’t have to feed honey off a spoon (although most dogs won’t complain!). We are going to share some fun ways to safely include canine honey in your dog’s treat routine:

• Bake it into dog treats: Try pork meatballs with a honey glaze!
• Freeze it in a KONG: Mix honey with xylitol-free peanut butter and stuff it into a toy for a fun surprise.
• Blend it into a smoothie: Add honey to dog-safe fruits and veggies with plain, sugar-free yogurt for a cool, tasty drink.

Is Honey Bad for Dogs?

So, is honey bad for dogs? It can be if your dog eats too much of it. Therefore, too much sugar can upset your dog’s stomach. You have to watch out for signs like:

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Constipation

You should know that in the long term, too much honey might even lead to weight gain and increase the risk of diabetes.

Other Sweet Treat Option:

Now that we’ve answered the basics, you might be wondering about other sweet snacks that you can give your dog instead.

• Can dogs eat granola? Only if it’s plain and doesn’t have chocolate, raisins, or xylitol, as these ingredients are harmful to dogs.
• Can dogs have maple syrup? Yes, but only a small amount of 100% pure maple syrup. 
• Can dogs have clover honey? Yes! Clover honey is one of the most common and safest types for dogs to try.

Take Great Care of Your Furry Friends with EcoPetEssentials:

We are going to sum it all up here and answer your question, “Can dogs have honey?” one more time. The answer is yes, you can give your dog honey. However, it is a good idea to only give it in small amounts and only if they’re healthy and over one year old. When given in moderation, honey for dogs can be a tasty treat with added benefits like vitamins and antioxidants. However, we know that too much of a good thing can lead to tummy troubles or weight gain, so always use it carefully. Are you looking for safe and yummy honey treats? Then, you can book EcoPetEssentials’ as we write about the sweet and safe treats as well as products for your fur baby. 

Castiel Smith

Castiel Smith cares deeply about animals and the planet. He loves sharing tips that help people take better care of their pets while being kind to nature. Whether it’s about eco-friendly pet products or simple ways to take care of your fur babies, Cas loves sharing Behavior & Training Tips.