Honey, the natural thick brown sweetener produced by honey bees, is not only a household name due to its excellent benefits to humans and their needs.
Over the years, studies proved that there are numerous fantastic health and wellness benefits of honey to dogs. With this article, prepare to learn about the four surprising advantages of this sweet treat for your paw friends!
Energy Booster
Just like humans, sugar intake makes dogs hyper. Honey is a natural source of carbohydrates through sugar molecules. Both supply the body with nutrients that promote a dog’s competitiveness, agility, vitality, and energy. Usually, raw honey is the best source of these benefits.
When talking about sports benefits, it is also common knowledge that professional trainers give athletic dogs raw honey to increase their energy during practice lessons and competitions. The said carbohydrates act as a battery to accelerate the dog’s performance.
However, dog owners, enthusiasts, and aspiring trainers should always consider that honey should be taken in moderation. According to various medical studies, dogs are only advised to take specific measures depending on their age.
As such, small and medium dogs should only take half a teaspoon of honey daily (mixed with their food and snacks). Large dogs are allowed to take one, and even bigger dogs are allowed to have two teaspoons.
Digestive Aid
Dogs, like any person, are also a candidate for experiencing digestive concerns, and honey could provide aid with this. On this note, the most significant component that honey possesses is probiotics.
Probiotics are a group of good live bacteria that enables your body to fight off existing harmful bacteria, therefore producing a strengthened and healthy immune system. Studies proved that a lack of sufficient probiotic factors could cause impaired immune function, allergies, and social problems in a dog.
One of the most concerning health concerns is the possible experience of numerous gastrointestinal tract infections, such as dog colitis. The said illness falls under the inflammation of a dog’s large intestine.
In this sense, getting a daily dose of honey has good and essential probiotic factors that can help with the digestive concerns of dogs, such as:
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Indigestion
- Bloating
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Irritable bowel syndrome
Additionally, the probiotic content of honey could also be beneficial in improving the quality and appearance of a dog’s skin, breathing, sensitivity to allergies, and other digestive system concerns.
Heals Wounds
Aside from readily available over-the-counter medicine, honey could also heal minor wounds due to its natural antibacterial properties — particularly swelling and possible inflammation of cuts and scrapes caused by a dog’s accident or recent extreme activities.
Accordingly, raw, natural honey is advised rather than processed Manuka honey. Simply putting honey on a clean towel and applying it to the wounded area reduces swelling and speeds up healing.
However, pet owners should note that more profound puncture wounds or infected areas should be addressed with their trusted veterinarian. This is essential if the swelling and inflamed part do not show any further improvements within hours.
Cough and Sore Throat Remedy
One surprising benefit of honey is its ability to soothe or heal dogs’ coughs and sore throats. For treating this specific medical concern, studies proved that both raw and Manuka honey could be utilized. You can find them in the aisle of a supermarket, veterinarian clinic, or your favorite local grocery store.
Honey treats kennel cough and tracheobronchitis, an infectious or contagious condition in dogs that is characterized by coughing. The said illness, simply put, may also trigger dogs to lose their appetite, wheeze, affect their smelling ability due to runny nose, swollen tonsils, watery eyes and become anti-social. For several weeks, dogs may experience producing a coughing sound that is similar to a goose whenever their throat is rubbed.
To alleviate this concern, pet owners should try to splurge on Manuka honey due to its commendable antibacterial properties. Although you can also use local honey, it may slow the healing process since the former has higher formulated anti-inflammatory content. To provide instant relief, you could start with half to one teaspoon of honey and orally administer it to your dogs.
Accordingly, you could gradually increase the number of teaspoons if the dog reacts well. Twice the amount every hour and up to four times per day is good enough. It is clinically proven that the mentioned antibacterial properties of honey can reduce the severity of kennel cough symptoms.
A Bonus Track
The benefits of honey to dogs go beyond aiding internal concerns. Just like with humans, potent honey can help treat skin problems for dogs.
The honey’s antifungal and antimicrobial power is the commendable agent responsible for this. These two block the harmful bacteria to protect and create good ones.
To avoid dry, itchy skin and rashes, dog owners should look for hair or body wash products with honey as one of the primary ingredients. This provides a refreshing and moisturizing treatment to keep dogs’ skin plump and youthful.
Conclusion
Honey is one of the most underrated and beneficial compounds humans and dogs can utilize. Due to its essential ingredients, pet owners should invest more in it and see the difference in their dogs.
Aside from this, another way to show your care for man’s best friend is to provide shelter and a family through volunteering, donating or adopting. Make sure to browse through Doobert to learn more about this — we are always open for more helping hands!
