Do you enjoy honey in your tea or on hot biscuits and other food? You’re not alone! Honey is a favorite with many people. It’s great on all types of foods and in Asian dishes, and more.
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But is honey safe for your dog?
What is Honey?
Most people know what honey is, but we thought it was important to talk about what’s in honey. So, what is honey? This is a sweet food that’s made by bees, which is made from the nectar bees get from flowers.
Once it’s in the hive, then humans gather the honey to be used as food. In fact, humans have been gathering honey for thousands of years! And honey will have a different flavor depending on where the bees live and the types of flowers they obtain nectar from.
Not only that, but the honey made in different locations may also include different ingredients. For one thing, honey made from the tobacco plant may include nicotine in small amounts. And if the bees visit citrus trees, then the honey will have a more citrusy flavor. Who knew?
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The sweetness in honey comes from natural sugars, which include monosaccharides, glucose, and fructose. It also contains small amounts of minerals and vitamins.
Honey has many health benefits for pet parents, but is it safe for your dog?
Is Honey Safe for Dogs?
Because honey is so sweet, it can be unhealthy for dogs in large amounts. It can lead to obesity, tooth decay, and more.
In addition, raw honey may contain spores (botulism) that can be harmful to puppies and dogs with compromised immune systems. And it can be harmful to dogs that are diabetic.
It’s also possible for dogs to be allergic to some of the pollen contained in honey.
So, while honey is a natural sweetener, if given too often or in large amounts, it can be harmful to your dog. However, if your dog has honey once in a while, he’ll be OK.
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Ask a Vet Live NowHow Much Honey Can my Dog Have?
That’s a question that you need to ask the vet. They will be familiar with your dog and his health, so they’ll be able to let you know how much honey is safe for your dog. If your dog is diabetic, however, the vet may say that honey isn’t safe for him.
So, be sure to follow your vet’s guidance on if and how much honey your fur baby can have. For healthy dogs, honey can be a great treat in small amounts, once in a while!
Kim
Kim is a talented author, who loves animals especially dogs. She engaged in writing books and articles relating to animals a decade ago. Kim resides in Chicago with her husband and son. The family is the proud owner of a dog and a parrot (Jack and Lily). Kim wanted more than these two pets, but her husband put his foot down... She often visits elementary schools to talk to the kids about what she learned about pets and how they could learn from them.
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