The sweetness of honey perks up the taste buds. With the variety of uses and remedies, honey is surprisingly healthy. This sweetest gift from Mother Nature has countless benefits for humans. Honey is used to cure health problems and illnesses like sore throat, cough, digestive problems, ulcers, regulates blood sugar, and many more. This is a nutritious dietary element for humans, and it is chemically proven.
Can it be for cats too? Can honey be given to your feline friend?
Are you wondering about giving this blessed sweetener to your feline friends?
Well, honey is not considered a toxic food for your pet cats, but it is generally recommended for occasional medical purposes for your kitty in a very small amount. Cats have an extremely small digestive system with smallmouth and throat; it is why honey can be a problem for your feline friend. Most of the feline animals show almost no tolerance for honey, and they avoid entirely honey.
Cats can eat honey!
All breeds of cats can eat honey in both its liquid or crystallized versions. According to the experts, you should avoid honey when it comes to your cat. Many cats don’t like to eat honey, and some might want to taste it. It is fine to give honey to your cat, but it is not recommended as a must part of their regular diet.
Honey provides many health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. It is rich in antioxidants and also provides ease in various kinds of allergies.
Can cats digest honey or not?
Felines have a different kind of digestive system compared to humans. Cats mainly thrive on the protein present in meat, and their digestive system requires a minimal amount of fiber than how many human needs. In addition to fiber, cats also need essential nutrients, minerals, and vitamins derived from real meat.
Glucose, fructose, and lactose are nutrients that a cat’s body cannot process smoothly as humans’ bodies can. Honey is extremely rich in glucose and fructose, and the digestive system of your pet cat cannot process it even if the honey may be organic. So, unfortunately, anything you give to your kitty ridden with sweetness is entirely inadequate for your cat, including honey.
Benefits of honey for cats:
Honey, with its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, is also very rich in nutrients like Vitamin C, copper, iron, potassium, zinc, and antioxidants. But honey is not the best option for cats to provide them all the nutrients, minerals, and vitamins; they need a healthy diet.
You can expect some benefits of eating honey for cats, but the downside may remain regardless of the benefits. The benefits honey provides to the cats are:
- Honey has various antioxidants in it.
- It is helpful to soothe allergies
- It has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Cats have no need for extra sugar in their diet, but vets give dilute honey for luring cats to make them eat medicine when they become ill.
Honey is good for sick cats:
Your feline friend has a different kind of digestive system than yours, but there are few conditions when honey can be given to cats:
Allergies:
The hypersensitivity of the immune system to certain things present in the environment is called allergy. Food and pollen are common causes of allergies. Honey has proven its significance for treating allergies in humans, and fortunately for allergies in cats, it is equally effective.
Honey can suppress the immune system against allergens, but never consider this treatment superior to your veterinarian’s advice.
To gain weight:
Occasionally you can give honey to your kitty if you find her underweight while for overweight cats, honey is terrible in every way. Only one teaspoon of honey contains at least 65 calories.
Treating sore throat:
Sore throat conditions in cats are similar to human sore throats. Cat flu, bacterial or viral infections are some of the common reasons for sore throat in cats. It is challenging to diagnose sore throat in cats, but noticing swallowing or retching and gagging in cats are the signs to identify sore throat.
Only a few drops of honey given to cats are helpful to treat this issue in your puss.
Stomach ache and Anorexia:
However, there is no scientific evidence present, but honey is famous for treating stomach aches in cats. This sweet treat is also beneficial in Anorexia, a condition in which a cat loses its appetite. Giving honey in a very small quantity helps to deal with the loss of appetite in cats.
Honey for cats wounds:
Since the dark ages, men are aware of honey’s healing powers, and today it is being used by veterinarians to treat wounds in cats. The excellent anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties of honey can heal wounds as effectively as no other thing can.
Health risks of using honey for cats:
It is difficult even for humans to digest honey easily, and for the small digestive system of cats, it is even harder to perform the task of digestion. Cats can take honey only in minor quantities. Excess use of honey can generate many health-related issues like diarrhea, weight gain, vomiting, higher insulin level, and botulinum.
Higher sugar content, calories, and bacteria present in honey are dangerous for cats suffering from diabetes and overweight. Cats may get into the following issues if it consumes honey in a more considerable amount.
Botulinum or Botulism:
It is a condition in which cats go through paralysis. This is a rare condition in which severe paralysis attacks cats due to a toxin called botulism caused by bacteria; it is rare but fatal. Although it is not proven that honey is yet the cause of botulinum, in many cases, it is observed that honey was the hidden cause behind this medical condition of cats.
Counter productivity for diabetic puss:
Similar to their pet parents, cats are also prone to Type 1 & 2 Diabetes. For the cats already suffering from diabetes, honey consumption results in the shooting of blood sugar levels that can be a fatal condition if not treated on time.
Honey for kittens:
Young kittens have an underdeveloped immune system. That is why serving them with honey can be risky. The bacteria, calories, and sugary content of honey can pose potentially fatal harm to the kittens.
How much honey is perfect for cats?
Honey is safe with no toxins for cats, but the digestive system of your kitty cannot digest this sweet treat. You can give honey to your adult cats regularly in a minimal quantity. For a sick cat, half a teaspoon of honey per day is quite enough.
The quantity of honey for cats depends on your cat’s age, size, weight, and breed. Half a teaspoon of honey is perfect for smaller breeds, while for larger ones, a teaspoon full of honey is just perfect.
How to give honey to your cat:
You can serve honey to your kitty just by adding a few drops of honey to their food. It is also good to allow your cat to lick honey off the spoon. The stickiness of honey may cause difficulty for cats to swallow honey, so it is better to dilute honey with water before giving it to your pet cat.
Honey-roasted peanuts for cats:
Peanuts and honey both are safe and non-toxic for cats. It is just ok if your cat eats one or two honey-roasted peanuts. There is nothing to worry about. When honey is given in a small amount, there is nothing wrong with your cat swallowing the honey. Be aware of symptoms and behavioral changes in your cat after swallowing honey.
Raw or processed honey for cats:
It is lovely to give raw honey to your cat in a small amount. It will not hurt your kitty at all. But never include raw honey in your kitty’s regular diet as it may cause an upset stomach and other issues for her. In any form, honey cannot provide dietary fibers that are required for your cat, but it triggers stomach aches and unpleasant health problems.
Processed honey is utterly useless for cats as it is stripped of nearly all health benefits. Processed honey is nothing but filler galore and empty calories.
Alternatives to honey for cats:
According to many vets and experts, it is better to avoid honey for cats. It is difficult for cats to digest honey, and mostly your feline friend has a hard time appreciating this sweet treat. It is better to give your cats some food alternatives, such as peas, blueberries, and oatmeal.
These options are packed with antioxidants and are more healthy and nutritious. You can also opt for some vet-approved supplements to give to your cat instead of choosing honey.
Conclusion:
Cats can eat honey, and it is safe for cats, but its downsides are too significant to neglect. Remember, cats cannot get benefits from honey similarly as we can, but you can give it to your feline friend in moderate quantity for fewer complications.
Always ask your vet for advice before giving honey to your cat. It is not recommended to give your cat honey in any amount daily as your kitty has a sensitive and small digestive system that cannot digest honey. Try to use substitute food options for your cat instead of honey.