{"id":16457,"date":"2022-09-16T18:08:15","date_gmt":"2022-09-17T01:08:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.happytails.tips\/?p=16226"},"modified":"2024-01-24T05:11:00","modified_gmt":"2024-01-24T05:11:00","slug":"can-cats-have-honey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.happytails.tips\/can-cats-have-honey\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Cats Have Honey? Best Medicinal Benefits"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There aren’t too many foods that you can either eat or wear, but honey is one of them. Not only is it nutritious, but it also has many medicinal effects whether eaten or applied to injured skin. That goes for humans as well as many animals. Can cats have honey? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A cat is neither a person nor a Pooh<\/a> but small amounts of honey can be good, and we’re going to tell you how! Our goal is to help you learn about honest cat care that works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Honey with a Grain of Salt<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Asking, “Can cats have honey?” is only half the question. The other half is, “HOW<\/strong><\/em> can cats have honey?” Feline digestion differs from that of omnivores such as dogs and humans. Omnivores can get their nutritional needs met from both plant and animal sources. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cats, on the other hand, are obligate carnivores, meaning that they’re obligated to consume an animal-based diet or they’ll starve. Sugars, found most abundantly in plants, aren’t easily digested and can cause upset stomachs, vomiting, and diarrhea. Senior cats with age-related changes frequently experience difficulties with certain foods. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diabetes and obesity are ever-present risks. Young kittens with undeveloped immune systems are especially susceptible to infection by toxin-producing bacterial colonies growing from spores in their tiny intestines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Talk to a trusted holistic veterinarian before introducing your pets to new foods, especially if the pets are very young, pregnant, very old, or otherwise vulnerable. If you don’t have a regular vet who’s open-minded and familiar with your animals, consider finding an office practicing integrative veterinary care<\/a> which integrates the best of modern medicine with alternative methods. A natural holistic approach addresses each patient in terms of age, gender, general health, and personality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Makes Honey Special?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Honey is unique, made only by a few bee species. Comparable to an insect equivalent of mother’s milk, honey<\/a> nourishes the growing young with needed nutrients as well as provides anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial support. Scientists are actively researching its many beneficial properties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See our related post: Do Bees Eat Honey? The Birds AND The Bees Eat Honey!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can Cats EAT Honey?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

That might sound like a simple question but it’s not. Did you know that cats can’t taste sweetness? Since plants most often contain the molecules triggering sweetness in certain taste sensors, obligate carnivores have little need for them. Humans have 9,000 taste buds, dogs have 1,700, and cats have only 470. None for detecting sweetness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’ve noticed your feline buddy enjoying honey, it’s likely because of other overriding scents and tastes. Maybe the dog is gobbling up some honey, or maybe your cat is CURIOUS! You know how that works!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can Cats Have Manuka Honey? Is Manuka Honey Safe for Cats?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Manuka honey is pretty potent stuff. It’s made from flowers of the Manuka bush, a hardy evergreen plant native to Australia and New Zealand. It’s known to contain high concentrations of substances with healing properties. It definitely has antibacterial abilities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tests on rodents indicate potential benefits for stomach ulcers, indigestion, gum disease, tumor growth, and as a dressing for skin and wound conditions. More research needs to be done, especially on cats, but Manuka honey offers hope. In small amounts, it’s quite safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefits of Honey for Cats<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are more than 300 kinds of honey, but they all contain the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n