Reviewed By Joana Garrido DVM
Several articles floating around the internet proclaim about the numerous health benefits of manuka honey for dogs. However, if examined through a closer lens, many of these health perks do not hold much weight.
What are the real benefits of this human food to your canine companion? Find out the answer to this question as you continue reading on.
What Is Manuka Honey?
Manuka honey is a type of honey native to New Zealand. This human food is produced by bees pollinating wild manuka bushes (Leptospermum scoparium).
Manuka honey is observed to contain compounds with healing properties, such as:
- Methylglyoxal (MGO): It is a type of organic chemical with strong antibacterial properties.
- Dihydroxyacetone (DHA): A substance found in the nectar of manuka flowers, which is then converted into MGO during the honey production
- Hydrogen Peroxide: It is another compound that possesses notable antimicrobial activity.
The presence of these natural chemicals links manuka honey to several health benefits in humans like faster wound healing, a strong immune system, and good gut health.
However, it is worth noting that these health perks are mostly anecdotal claims. More research is necessary to prove that manuka honey does harbour these positive effects on human health.
What Are the Health Benefits of Manuka Honey for Dogs?
Manuka honey’s impact on canine health is not as definitive as other natural health-boosting human foods. However, many studies show that this human food has promising abilities in combating bacterial infections in dogs.
For instance, in an in vitro study, medical-grade manuka honey exhibited strong bactericidal effects against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus spp. and Pseudomonas spp. Isolates. Both bacterial strains are common causes of topical infections in dogs.
Findings in different research show that undiluted manuka honey was able to eliminate S. pseudintermedius and M. pachydermatis isolates after four hours of exposure.
Researchers conclude that manuka honey for dogs can be used as a natural treatment for canine pyoderma, infected wounds, and Malassezia dermatitis, including antibiotic-resistant cases.
Does Manuka Honey for Dogs Truly Aid in Wound Healing?
The most well-known purported health benefits of manuka honey for dogs is hastening the healing process, particularly in minor wounds.
This human food is said to reduce inflammation and promote the natural rejuvenation of healthy skin cells. Thus, a handful of pawrents recommend its use for wound care in canines.
However, interestingly, despite the antibacterial activity found in manuka honey for dogs, there is not enough scientific evidence to support its healing abilities.
Some research papers have noted that it has little to no effect on improving the wound area compared to topical antimicrobials.
For this reason, we recommend checking with the veterinarian first before deciding to use manuka honey as an alternative treatment for healing wounds in dogs.
Is Manuka Honey for Dogs Good for Your Pet’s Gut Health?
There are studies like Rosendalte et al. that discovered manuka honey’s ability to support the growth of certain probiotic strains, particularly Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Bifidobacterium lactis.
It should be noted that research was mainly focused on humans, not canines. So there is uncertainty about whether manuka honey causes this type of effect in the gut microbiome of dogs.
Thus, avoid using this human food as the main source of probiotics for your canine companion.
Does Manuka Honey for Dogs Pose Certain Dangers?
Although manuka honey is good for canine health, this human food has certain qualities that make it unsuitable for certain dogs, such as:
1. High Sugar Content
A naturally sugar-rich food, manuka honey contains approximately 16 to 20 grams of sugar per tablespoon. In the glycaemic index, it falls around the 54 to 59 scale, which is considered moderately high.
Hence, manuka honey for dogs should not be fed to diabetic pooches without the veterinarian’s approval to avoid risks of sudden blood sugar spikes.
Overconsumption of manuka honey for dogs may result in hyperactivity, mood swings, and stomach upset because of its sugar content.
If frequently eaten in large amounts, more serious health conditions may occur, such as obesity, rotten teeth, and cardiac issues. Thus, offer it to your pooch in moderation.
2. Allergen
While bee allergies are uncommon in dogs, this condition can occur in some pooches. If your canine companion has a history of allergic reactions to bees, honey, or pollen, do not give him manuka honey for dogs.
Are you unsure if Fido is allergic to this human food? When feeding it to him for the first time, only offer it in small amounts.
Then, observe him for any manifestation of allergy symptoms, such as vomiting, diarrhea, and hives.
If these clinical signs appear, avoid giving your dog manuka honey from that point on.
3. Botulism Spores
Raw manuka honey houses Clostridium botulinum spores, which can cause a food-borne illness known as botulism.
When ingested, the toxic spores get absorbed into the gastrointestinal tract and then attack the body’s nervous system.
Botulism is quite rare in canines since they have a fairly high resistance against it.
However, puppies are at risk of acquiring this illness more than adult dogs due to their underdeveloped immune system. For this reason, avoid feeding young pooches manuka honey for dogs.
How Much Manuka Honey Can a Dog Have Daily?
The amount of manuka honey you can give to your furry friend will depend on his size and weight. The following guidelines will provide you with the ideal dosage:
| Dog’s Size and Weight | Dosage Per Day |
|---|---|
| Small breeds under 10 pounds | ¼ teaspoon |
| Medium breeds around 10 to 20 pounds | ½ teaspoon |
| Large breeds around 20 to 50 pounds | 1 teaspoon a day |
| Giant breeds over 50 pounds | 2 teaspoons a day |
When offering manuka honey for dogs to your pet for the first time, only give him half of the original dose. Then on the following days, you can gradually increase the amount until it reaches the recommended dosage.
Doing so allows his stomach to get used to this human food and prevents gastrointestinal upset.
You can mix manuka honey for dogs in your furry pal’s pet food. If you are savvy at making homemade treats for him, adding this human food as one of the ingredients is also a good idea.
How to Choose High-Quality Manuka Honey for Dogs?
Manuka honey used to be challenging to find, but after gaining popularity for its health benefits, it has become widely available in health food stores and online.
However, be careful when purchasing as some manuka honey products are low in quality or might even be fake. Here are some tips to find authentic and high-quality manuka honey for dogs.
Check Where the Product Was Made
As mentioned earlier, manuka honey is harvested from the manuka bush in New Zealand. Thus, make sure to look for a label that states:
- Made in New Zealand
- Product of New Zealand
- Packed in New Zealand
Some products will have a New Zealand Fern Mark symbol, instead of the labels we have stated above.
Another indicator is the gold “Tested Certified Manuka” symbol. Its presence means the manuka honey has passed the authenticity test required by the government of New Zealand.
Look for Third-Party Testing Proof
A reputable company will have their manuka honey third-party tested for authenticity verification.
The test is called the unique manuka factor (UMF) rating, which checks for 4 key signature markers in the product namely, DHA, HMF, leptosperin, and MGO.
Other grading systems exist to test the authenticity of manuka honey. However, the UMF rating is known to be the most comprehensive.
The rating starts from UMF 5+ and ends at UMF 26+. Keep in mind that the higher the UMF number, the stronger its potency will be.
Choose Medical-Grade Manuka Honey for Dogs
Research shows that non-medical-grade honey exhibited lower antibacterial properties than medical-grade ones.
Moreover, the former was also found to contain several microbial species while the latter was sterile.
Thus, opt for medical-grade manuka honey for dogs to fully optimize this human food’s health benefits and healing properties. For better efficacy, choose a product with a rating of UMF 24+ and above.
Pick a “Monofloral” Manuka Honey for Dogs
Know that “100% pure” or “100% New Zealand manuka honey” does not guarantee the purity of the product. Authentic products will state whether they are “monofloral” or “multifloral.”
The “multifloral” term means that manuka honey contains nectar harvested from different kinds of flowers.
On the other hand, “monofloral” means that the nectar making up the honey is mostly from manuka. Hence, the latter is the best pick out of the two.
FAQs About Manuka Honey for Dogs
1. Can Dogs Have Manuka Honey for Kennel Cough?
Dogs can have manuka honey for kennel cough. However, there is no definitive proof that confirms its efficacy in alleviating this respiratory condition.
We advise checking with the veterinarian if you can use it as a part of your canine friend’s supplementary treatment.
2. Does Manuka Honey for Dogs Expire?
Authentic manuka honey for dogs does not expire if stored properly. But it does come with an expiry date to comply with legal requirements.
The low moisture content, antimicrobial properties, acidic nature, and high sugar content help preserve its freshness by inhibiting bacterial growth.
Storage plays a big part in preventing manuka honey for dogs’ quality from deteriorating after its first usage.
So, make sure that it is stored in an airtight container. Then after using, tightly cap it and place it in a cool, dry area in your kitchen.
Moreover, only use clean utensils to prevent remnants of food from getting stuck on the manuka honey for dogs, which may cause molds.
3. Is Manuka Honey Good for Dog Wounds?
There is a lack of evidence proving that manuka honey is good for dog wounds.
If your pet has sustained minor injuries, it would be best to consult a veterinarian before using this human food as a part of your furry pal’s healing treatment.
4. When Should I Avoid Using Manuka Honey for Dogs?
Avoid using manuka honey for dogs when your furry pal is still a young pup since it puts him at risk of catching botulism.
Feeding this human food to diabetic dogs is not recommended unless a veterinarian gives their approval.
Also, keep it away from dogs with bee, pollen, or honey allergies to prevent triggering adverse reactions.
Conclusion
Manuka honey for dogs has a handful of purported health benefits, but not all of them are verified claims.
While its healing properties and probiotic power are questionable, this human food does exhibit a strong antibacterial activity, making it a potential treatment for certain bacterial infections in canines.
One must be careful when choosing manuka honey for dogs as some companies sell subpar or even fake products.
Taking note of the tips we have shared above will help you single out the best manuka honey for your furry pal.
