Can Dogs Have Honey?

January 28, 2025

Simple and sweet, honey is adored for its natural sugars and medicinal properties. But what about honey for our four-legged sweethearts? Is it safe for dogs and can it offer health benefits for your pup?

Let’s dive into the sticky stuff and find out.

Is Honey Good for Dogs?

Sweet news: Honey is non-toxic to dogs and safe in small amounts. It may even offer some surprising health benefits for your pup.

Packed with antioxidants, it can help protect your dog’s cells from damage caused by “free radicals.” No, free radicals are not hopeful activists, fighting for change! They’re pesky, reactive things inside human-and-dog cells that cause harm and illness.

Certain types of honey, like “manuka” boast antimicrobial benefits — aka claims to reduce bacterial growth — which is great if your dog’s recovering from a wound or sickness.

Honey is also rich in a bevy of essential vitamins and minerals, including:

Ascorbic acid
Pantothenic acid
Niacin
Riboflavin
Calcium
Copper
Iron
Magnesium
Manganese
Phosphorus
Potassium
Zinc

How to Feed Honey to Your Dog

Looking to sweeten your pup’s day? Of course you are. Here are some fun, easy ways to add honey to their diet, without the sticky mess.

Spread it on a treat: A thin smear of honey on their favorite treat is a surefire way to make tails wag. Just be sure the treat is sturdy enough to handle the gooey goodness. Jinx biscuit treats are perfect for honey pairing.

Serve it with dog-friendly fruit: Does your dog love apple slices or bits of banana? Layer a touch of honey on top for a tasty, nutritious treat. Yep, you’re a bonafide pup chef.

Smear it on spoon or spatula: If you’re testing the honey waters or trying to keep things tidy — spread a thin layer on the back of a wooden spoon or spatula. It’s an easy, no-fuss way to see if your dog’s a fan.

No matter how you share the goods, moderation is key. A little honey goes a long way in spoiling your lil’ sweetie.

Can Honey Be Bad for Some Dogs?

For most healthy adult dogs, honey is safe (in small doses!) Having said that, it’s packed with natural sugars, so it’s not the best option for every pup. Maybe think twice if your dog is any of the following:

Allergic to bee stings — If your dog reacts to bee stings, they may have a similar reaction to honey. Best to start with just a drop a day to build up their tolerance, and always watch for signs of an allergic reaction.
A young puppy — A puppy’s developing immune system isn’t ready yet for raw honey. It can lead to tummy troubles or digestive issues.
Diabetic — A no-go because of the high sugar content. Need to avoid those dangerous blood-sugar spikes!
Overweight or obese — Portly pups and those looking to shed pounds should probably give honey a miss. Opt for healthier treats or stick to very small honey servings.

As with any treat, honey isn’t one-size-fits-all. When in doubt, chat with your vet before adding it into the dog-treat rotation.

And because it’s important, we’re going to repeat it: Don’t give raw honey to puppies under one year old. While older dogs can handle all the good-and-less-good bacteria found in some honey, puppy immune systems are not quite ready, so hold off til their 1st birthday.

How Much Honey Can Dogs Safely Eat?

You’ll read up saying this about pretty much all treats: They shouldn’t make up more than 10% of your dog’s daily diet — with the other 90% coming from nutritious, well-balanced dog food like Jinx kibble.

And while honey has benefits, it should never become a regular part of your pup’s meals. Adding to that, dog’s tum-tum’s don’t always love new surprises, so maybe chat with them before bringing honey into the mix.

If your vet gives the green light, here’s a quick guide to safe daily honey portions based on your dog’s size:

Extra-small dogs (2–20 pounds): 1/4 teaspoon
Examples: Yorkies, Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, Pugs
Small dogs (21–30 pounds): 1/2 teaspoon
Examples: Basenjis, Beagles, Miniature American Shepherds
Medium dogs (31–50 pounds): 1 teaspoon
Examples: Basset Hounds, Border Collies, Australian Cattle Dogs
Large dogs (51–90 pounds): 2 teaspoons
Examples: Pit Bulls, German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers
Extra-large dogs (91+ pounds): 1 tablespoon
Examples: Newfoundlands, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Saint Bernards, Great Pyrenees

Stick to these guidelines, and your pup will enjoy honey as a sweet, safe treat without overindulging.

Can Honey Be Used to Treat Wounds?

While it may sound like something out of an old-fashioned remedy book, a lot of research suggests that “medical-grade manuka honey” can aid in wound healing, thanks to its bacteria-fighting properties.

That said, this isn’t your cue to raid the pantry and start slathering honey on your dog’s cuts! Wound care should always be handled by a trained vet. Why you may ask. Well, in short, to avoid disaster. Treating wounds at home can lead to infections, worsening conditions, and unnecessary pain for your pup.

Your vet may use manuka honey on some post-surgical wounds, but it’s no cure-all! And the jury’s still out on how effective it is. It’s certainly not suitable for every stage of wound healing.

Another possible downside is it can sometimes take longer to work than other treatments, and in some cases it’s been known to weaken surgical sutures (if misused) — so no playing medicinal-honey healer at home! Save honey for treats and let your vet handle the wound care.

Can Honey Be Used to Treat Allergies?

It’s pretty wild how allergies and immunity work. In theory, if a dog (or human) has an allergy to honey pollen, small doses of that pollen can sometimes help build up a tolerance without triggering a full-on allergic reaction.

But here’s the catch: It’s unlikely the pollen in honey matches the type your dog’s allergic to, and if your pup reacts to multiple allergens, honey won’t come close to addressing all the triggers. Even if the pollen did match, there’s no way to measure the exact dose in honey.

All said, let’s not attempt to desensitize our dogs from their allergies. It’s far too complex and could end with a dangerous (and even lethal) reaction.

The verdict? Leave allergy treatments to the experts. If your pup struggles with allergies, your vet can recommend safe and effective solutions tailored to their needs — no sticky mess required!

Can Honey Treat Kennel Cough?

Every used honey to soothe your sore throat? It works-ish, but it’s definitely not a miracle cure. Same for dogs. While it can help with one symptom of kennel cough, its effects are often minimal.

Here’s what to consider:

Honey might provide temporary comfort, but it’s unlikely to make a big difference in your dog’s recovery. Bummer!
Tap your trusted vet for advice or a visit if your dog starts coughing. They’ll recommend more-effective treatments.
Kennel cough is sometimes a symptom of a more-serious issue, so that vet visit is essential!

Can Honey Help with Dog Digestive Issues?

There’s been some buzz around honey as a probiotic for humans, but when it comes to dogs, the research just isn’t there yet. Currently, there are no conclusive studies showing honey’s effects on a dog’s digestive system.

If your pup seems to be having tummy troubles, here’s what to do:

Explore gut-support foods and supplements — There are a lot of helpful, good gut products out there including kibble with probiotics. When it comes to supplements, just make sure they’re legit and well-reviewed.
Call your vet — If symptoms are ongoing, and dietary & lifestyle changes, and digestive aids don’t seem to be helping, it’s time for expert advice and a treatment plan.

Help keep your pup in their happy zone by working to resolve their tummy issues asap.

And… back to honey!

Ending On a Sweet Note

Honey is yummy! And safe for dogs in moderation but it’s not a magic elixir — even though it might taste like one). When it comes to allergies and wound care, bring your (dog) honey to the vet.

At Jinx, we're here to upgrade the way you care for your dog by providing holistic nutrition made with thoughtful formulation, real ingredients, and a whole lot of love.