Can dogs have honey?

Updated 12/04/2024

Honey: delicious sweetener come natural healer, it's nothing short of a one size fits all when it comes to taste and seemingly magical health benefits. That's in the world of 'people food', at least. Yup, honey is popular not only for its signature sweetness, but also its anti-inflammatory properties and even abilities to quash seasonal allergies. So with all of these benefits and of course its utterly original aromas, it might get pet parents wondering - can dogs have honey - or should it be dodged altogether, despite how healthy it can be for us humans? And can dogs eat honey in some form, or do the (sugar-filled) cons outweigh all the pros? Well it's a yes and no on this one - dogs can eat honey in very small doses without experiencing any nasty side effects, but as you're probably aware, it's basically all sugar which means it should never feature regularly in your pup's diet. If you want to know more about honey and dogs, keep scrolling for answers to some of the most common questions pet parents have on the topic.

Related article: Can dogs eat ham?

Is honey poisonous to dogs?

So can dogs have honey and experience any nasty reactions, like they can with other foods we humans enjoy? And is honey toxic to dogs in any way? Or is honey safe for dogs if fed in small amounts? Well while honey certainly shouldn't be fed to your furry friend on a regular basis (sugar content, hello), honey shouldn't poison your pooch - unless it contains any added ingredients that are toxic to dogs, of course. The main thing to be wary of is puppies and adult dogs with compromised immune systems - raw honey is linked with botulism, so should never be shared with pups of this demographic.

Related article: Can dogs eat coconut?

Is honey good for dogs?

So can dogs have honey and get any of the claimed health benefits we humans can? What about all the healing properties that makes the golden goodness so popular in the world of 'people food'? Can honey be used to aid wound healing, soothe a sore throat, settle a cough or dodge allergies? Well for any ailment in your furry friend, your first port of call should always be the vet. Unless you're a veterinary professional yourself, we don't advise treating any of your pup's health issues from home without advice from someone trained. And if you're keen to use honey to help your pooch with some sort of health issue, you should still consult your vet first to check it's a safe move for your specific pooch and of course for a recommended dosage.  

Related article: Can dogs eat pears?

Why is honey bad for dogs? 

And is honey bad for dogs, or should it just be given in small doses as a very (very) rare treat? Well firstly, let's talk sugar content. As you'll probably know, honey is basically pure sugar, which is always bad news for our canine companions. Honey's high sugar content means it should never be a regular feature of the canine diet (hello tooth decay), and should never be fed in high quantities, if at all. Plus for dogs with diabetes, obesity or any other health issues relating to their diet, honey should be avoided altogether. 

Related article: Can dogs eat spinach?

Feeding dogs honey

So, the bottom line when it comes to dogs and honey is that the high sugar content means it should never feature regularly in your pup's diet, but if they're an adult pooch in full health, then a small lap from the back of a spoon won't do any harm every now and then. And when it comes to healing properties, well you're better off letting your vet see to that. Now we've got that cleared up, let's take a look at some of the popular questions pet parents like you have about feeding dogs honey.

What type of honey is safe for dogs?

So can dogs have honey of all kinds, or are there certain types that should be avoided, even in the miniscule amounts you'd be sharing with your pooch anyway? We advise avoiding raw honey for young pups and dogs with compromised immune systems - it can contain botulism spores which are of course bad news for ingestion full stop. And when it comes to healthy adult dogs, make sure the honey you share is pure - honey containing sweeteners like xylitol is highly toxic to dogs.  

Can puppies have honey?

And can dogs eat honey at a young age, or should all forms of honey be avoided for puppies? Well while raw honey is often considered the safest option for dogs, it should never be fed to puppies as it can contain botulism spores which can then cause the illness in your pup if ingested. 

Is honey good for dogs' allergies?

There is no guarantee that feeding your pooch even local honey will help with their allergies. Why? Well you can't be certain that the cause of the allergy symptoms in your pooch is due to pollen, let alone the pollen present in the honey you're sharing with your furry friend. So, if your pooch is experiencing any signs of an allergic reaction (signs include hives, excessive licking, diarrhea, sneezing etc), your first port of call should be your vet.

Can I give my dog honey for a cough?

Honey is seriously high in sugar, which means it isn't a great addition to your pup's diet - weight gain and poor dental health, hello. So if your pooch has a cough, consult your vet and use medicines specifically formulated for your furry friend. 

Can dogs have Greek yogurt with honey?

Greek yogurt is a good choice for dogs if you'd like to treat them to a probiotic-packed treat, but go sparingly on the honey as it's seriously high in sugar - something that should never be regularly added into the canine diet. For more on the yogurts safe for dogs, check out our blog which reviews the question - can dogs eat yogurt. 

Related article: Can dogs eat lettuce?

Other honey products

So now we know that honey is a rather calorific treat choice for dogs, what about other products honey is cooked into? Can dogs eat honey if it's diluted with other ingredients? Let's take a look at some of the foods containing honey and whether they're safe for canine consumption.

Can dogs have honey peanut butter?

Peanut butter is perfectly safe for dogs if it's made with 100% nuts, with no added salt, sweeteners, sugar or preservatives. We wouldn't advise sharing honey peanut butter with your pooch as it'll be seriously high in sugar.

Can dogs eat honeycomb?

Honeycomb is basically pure sugar, so we really don't advise sharing this tooth-rotting, calorific human treat with your pup.  

Can dogs have honey graham crackers?

Generally, plain graham crackers aren't toxic to dogs, but they don't add any nutritional value to your dog's diet, and honey-flavored graham crackers are certainly bad news for dogs, due to the high sugar content.  

Other foods that are safe for dogs

So, now we know that dogs and honey don’t really mix yet are generally safe for the odd lap on occasion, you might be wondering - what 'human' foods can dogs eat? Explore our blog for more details on how to safely share these 'people foods' with your pooch. 

• Popcorn
• Cherries
• Oatmeal

Meet our veterinary expert, Jnanee

This article has been checked by veterinarian Jnanee Krishnasamy, BVSc (Massey). Dr Jnanee is a small animal veterinarian. She was born in sunny Singapore and spent her formative years there, before studying veterinary medicine at

Massey University. Since graduating from vet school, Dr Jnanee has worked in a variety of settings that include private practice, shelter medicine, and veterinary telemedicine. Due to her varied experiences, she is well-informed on many aspects of the veterinary industry!