Sweet Treat: Manuka Honey for Dogs & It’s Benefits
Why is Honey So Special?
Honey has been used for thousands of years as a remedy for a number of ailments. What in honey makes it so special for healing? Raw, unpasteurized honey is antifungal and antibacterial. This is due to the fact that honey contains hydrogen peroxide – known by most of us as a potent antiseptic used to heal and clean wounds, etc. However, different kinds of honey vary in the amount of hydrogen peroxide it contains.
Manuka honey is the most potent. Manuka honey comes from the Manuka tree in New Zealand and Australia; bees pollinate the white flowers of this tree to produce Manuka honey. It has long been known by locals to have healing properties.
Three key chemicals in manuka honey help make it a healing powerhouse:
- Methylglyoxal (MGO)
- Dihydroxyacetone (DHA)
- Leptosperin
These three chemicals help Manuka honey retain it’s antibacterial and antifungal properties compared to regular honey.
So, what are the benefits directly for your dog?
Benefits of Manuka Honey for Dogs
1. Heals wounds when applied topically.
The antibacterial and antiseptic properties of Manuka honey make it an excellent choice when looking to heal. a shallow wound or cut. First, clean the wound and then apply the honey directly to the wound. To avoid your dog licking it off (like ours loves to do!) cover it with a clean bandage. Reapply as needed until the wound begins to close – this will help to prevent any infection from getting in.
2. Source of prebiotics.
Manuka honey is a natural prebiotic which supports the gut health of your dog – a healthy gut is the best thing you can do for your dog’s health.
3. Great for immunity support.
The anti-viral properties in Manuka honey make it a great preventative to help your dog’s immune system before he gets sick.
4. Provides antioxidant protection.
Studies have shown that the properties of Manuka honey have been shown to provide a ton of antioxidant protection. Antioxidants, if you recall, are what fights free radical damage and cell oxidization in your dog’s body to fight age-related diseases such as cancer.
How Much Manuka Honey Can I Give My Dog?
Firstly, you want to purchase Manuka honey with a higher Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) – ideally, anything with a UMF10+ rating on the bottle. This is because the higher the UMF rating, the higher the amount of MGO it contains, which is the chemical that provides most of its healthy properties.
If using topically, there is no dosing requirement. For feeding, follow these guidelines and always start off small to make sure your dog doesn’t have an adverse reaction.
- Under 20 lbs: 1/2 tsp twice a day
- 20-60 lbs: 1 tsp twice a day
- 60 lbs or more: 2 tsp twice a day
Do not feed to pregnant dogs or puppies (they may not react well).
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.