5 Reasons Why You Should Give Your Dog Manuka Honey
There’s a lot of buzz around manuka honey and its benefits for humans. But let’s talk about why you should have a jar of this golden magic in your cupboard not only for yourself but to treat or heal your dog! Manuka honey is one of Lambo’s favorite treats, I give it to him on its own or sometimes I top off a Kong recipe with Manuka honey.
What is manuka honey?
Manuka isn't a raw honey, but it is specialized. It's antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antiviral. One reason it’s this powerful is that it naturally contains a strong antiseptic, hydrogen peroxide. This honey is known for its remarkable ability to heal both internally and externally. It is said to be effective for treating everything from a sore throat to healing a wound on your skin or improving blemishes. The Unique Manuka Factor also known as UMF, is a global standard used to identify and measure the antibacterial strength of the honey. It is also a guarantee that the honey is pure and of medicinal quality from New Zealand. A UMF of 4 or less may be non-therapeutic therefore the higher the UMF you can get the better.Â
The magic of manuka
We have to give all the credit to the bees in New Zealand for the amazing manuka honey. The honey bees pollinate the small white flowers on the Manuka bush and make magic happen. It’s considered by many experts, doctors, and scientists to be the most beneficial form of honey in the world. What makes Manuka honey so unique and valuable is its nutritional profile, this comes with a bigger price tag than regular honey. It’s a rich source of vitamins, enzymes, and antioxidants that are very beneficial to the body.
How to heal your dog with manuka honey
Antioxidants to boost their immune system Antioxidants can slow the aging process and boost your dog’s immune system. They repair and restore the body’s cells to fight free radical damage. Studies have shown manuka has a big antioxidant impact and offers you a sweet way to give your dog vitamin C and B vitamins. This will also help boost their immune system to help them fight off viruses and aid in disease prevention. Manuka also has antiviral properties for added immune protection.
Prebiotic Support for Gut Health Gut health is so important and we want to make sure our dogs thrive by having a good balance of bacteria in the gut. It’s said that 80% of the immune system starts with a healthy gut. Manuka honey is a natural prebiotic that can aid in maintaining a good bacterial balance. Probiotics are the good bacteria your dog needs. And prebiotics fuel the probiotics and help them thrive. Manuka honey will act as an antibiotic to help clear out bad bacteria but also help boost the number of good bacteria in their gut. A healthy gut helps them stay happy, healthy, and heal much quicker.
Itch Relief for Allergies Manuka honey is great for controlling inflammation and can provide itch relief for your dog while you work with your vet to understand the root cause of your dog’s allergies. You can use it topically on its own as a spot treatment or in combination with a ready-made cream. Just apply a small amount to the skin area that is irritated a few times a day to help soothe those skin areas for your furry friend. Of course, you can also give it to your dog internally, as Manuka honey supports the body’s natural ability to restore healthy skin cells. Keep reading to find out the dosage amounts.
First Aid Wound Care If your dog gets a minor wound that you can clean up at home and doesn’t require a vet visit you can use manuka honey! After cleaning your dog's wound you can apply a bit of manuka honey directly on top of the wound and cover it with a clean bandage. If the wound does not need a bandage make sure to distract your dog from licking the manuka honey off so it can work its magic.
Just remember to use your best judgment and understand if the wound requires a vet visit or if it can be cleaned up at home. If you are unsure of how bad the wound is or if it’s a deep cut consult your vet immediately.Â
Oral Health Who loves doggy kisses? We sure do! But we all know dogs can get stinky breath! I have found that Lambo’s breath smells much better when I give him manuka honey! The antibacterial properties in Manuka honey can help fight oral bacteria and control inflammation that can lead to gingivitis. Plus it tastes yummy, Lambo loves Manuka honey!
How much manuka honey should I give my dog?
Start your dog off slow and use half of the dose below:
1/2 tsp twice a day for a small dog – under 20 lbs
1 tsp twice a day for a medium dog – 20-60 lbs
2 tsp twice a day for a large dog – 60 lbs+
You can increase gradually or give your dog half a dose daily if you feel more comfortable with that. You also don’t have to give it to your dog every day but they will reap the benefit anytime they get it! I give Lambo about 1 tsp a few times a week but not every day.
Make sure to keep Manuka stored in a dry, cool place away from strong sunlight and humidity to keep it fresh.
CAUTION CAUTION!! Manuka honey is high in sugar therefore it should be used in moderation and shouldn’t be given to diabetic dogs.
It is not recommended to feed to dogs under a year old because the bacteria in Manuka honey may be too much for your puppy’s developing immune system. Most adult dogs have no issues with Manuka honey but you can always check with your holistic vet to confirm if internal use will be okay for your dog since every dog is different.
Without bees, we wouldn’t have manuka honey or honey in general and we need bees to survive! SAVE THE BEES <3
