Can Dogs Eat Honey?

Yes, dogs can eat honey — but only in small amounts.

Honey is a natural sweetener that contains small amounts of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. While it isn’t a necessary part of a dog’s diet, small amounts are generally safe for healthy adult dogs.

Because honey is very high in natural sugars, it’s best treated as an occasional addition rather than a regular ingredient.

What honey provides

Honey contains small amounts of nutrients and plant compounds, including:

• antioxidants
• trace minerals
• natural enzymes

These amounts are fairly small, though, so honey shouldn’t be relied on as a major nutritional source.

Most people use honey more as a natural sweetener or occasional treat.

When people give dogs honey

Some dog owners use small amounts of honey:

• mixed into homemade treats
• as a tiny topper for meals
• to help soothe occasional throat irritation
• inside enrichment toys

A little goes a long way.

How much honey can dogs eat?

Because honey is mostly sugar, it should always be fed sparingly.

A general guideline:

Small dogs: a small lick or about ¼ teaspoon
Medium dogs: about ½ teaspoon
Large dogs: up to 1 teaspoon

Large amounts can upset the stomach and add unnecessary sugar to the diet.

Dogs that should avoid honey

Honey isn’t appropriate for every dog.

It should generally be avoided in:

• puppies under one year old
• diabetic dogs
• dogs that need strict calorie control

As with any new food, start with a very small amount to see how your dog responds.

The bottom line

Yes, dogs can eat honey.

Small amounts are generally safe for healthy adult dogs, but because honey is high in natural sugar, it’s best used occasionally and in moderation.