Honey is a natural and an incredible addition to hot and cold drinks. It’s delicious, organic, and above all – healthy, with its many wonderful uses for allergies, sore throat problems, and the cardiovascular system’s general well-being. So as a cat owner you may be wondering, is honey bad for cats?
It is one of Mother Nature’s most delightful and useful sweets. But is it just as healthy for kitties as it is for human beings? Can cats eat honey? What are the facts behind cats and honey?
Is Honey Safe for Cats?
- Like many cat owners, you might be wondering as well; is honey safe for cats?
- Can cats have honey as well?
- Can I give my cat honey, or should I keep it out of the reach of my kitty?
Honey for cats is not considered a toxic food, and from time to time, you may offer this sweet treat to your kitty. However, there are many things you should consider before you feed your cat with honey.
More importantly, you should be conscious of whether you should or should not give your cat honey. And is honey ok for cats?
Can Cats Eat Honey?
Kittens, in particular, should stay away from all types of honey for a variety of reasons. Their little throat and stomach make it harder for them to swallow this sweet sticky substance, and their developing immune systems are not well suited for bacterial spores in honey.
Like human infants, kittens are susceptible to botulism, an illness caused by the bacterium enclostridium botulinum that releases neurotoxins into the bloodstream. But apart from kittens, can cats have honey?
For some adult cats, even half a teaspoon of honey can cause problems with the digestive system. If you notice vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or other signs of stomach issues in your kitty, stop giving your cat honey completely.
There’s also the question of calories, of which honey retains a lot. (One tablespoon of honey holds nearly 64 calories.) Adding honey to your cat’s diet can lead to excessive weight gain.
Apart from the question of whether cats can eat honey, most cat owners ask–is honey bad for cats with diabetes? In diabetic cats, honey can be extremely dangerous because it increases blood sugar and throws diabetes out of control.
What Happens If My Cat Eats Honey?
While honey is not poisonous to cats, vets do not recommend that you feed your cat with honey. Health and safety are more important than the dining experience.
Digestive distress, stomach aches, likely weight gain, and uncertain health benefits for cats are the reason why most vets discourage the idea of cats and honey.
Apart from being smaller, the cat’s digestive system is often more responsive than humans, so consuming foods that are not part of their natural diet can cause health problems.
Cats suffering from diabetes or obesity are more vulnerable to stomach aches or even weight gain from consuming honey.
What Is a Safe Amount of Honey for Cats to Eat?
It really depends on the reactions and size of your cats. Smaller cats may have a teaspoon, whereas larger cats may have one tablespoon.
Before you give your cats honey, you must consult your vets. And if it’s an allergy season, it’s best to ask your vets about any medications that you can provide to your cats if they have allergies.
Never give your cats prescription drugs made for humans during the allergy season. Human drugs are simply dangerous to your pets. They include ingredients that can’t be digested by your kitty’s system.
If you plan to give your cat honey, it’s a good idea to talk to your vet before you want to try your adult cat’s honey diet. If it’s the first time your cats eat honey, then you can give them a small amount, about half a teaspoon.
Observe specific allergic reactions, such as vomiting or diarrhea. If there are no reactions, you might give your cat another teaspoon of honey.
Are There Benefits to Cats Eating Honey?
Some cat owners believe honey is a safe cure for problems such as seasonal allergies or sore throat. Honey is a natural antioxidant believed to activate the immune system.
Due to its antibacterial properties, honey is popular natural medicine in the homeopathic world. The benefits that honey provides to humans encourage certain pet owners to turn to the nectar of nature for help.
You probably have heard that honey has health benefits for cats. Well, it’s questionable, mainly because its downsides are too many to be neglected.
The negatives override any potential benefits that your cat can get from eating honey. As cats are carnivores and can’t process sugars, giving them honey for treating allergies or sore throats must be off-limits.
It is not possible to talk about cats and honey without mentioning allergies. If you’re thinking of treating your cat’s allergies with honey, there are a few things you should consider:
Things to Know About Cats and Honey
Manuka Honey
While honey doesn’t cause an allergic reaction in your cat, treating your kitty’s seasonal allergies with honey is simply not the best solution. However, if you’re still willing to try to soothe your kitty’s allergies with honey, always choose raw honey.
It’s almost a certainty that the refined honey from chain grocers can offer zero benefits to your cat. Consider Manuka Honey. Many antibacterial components are found in the Manuka flower’s nectar, which makes Manuka honey an excellent medicinal choice.
Manuka honey is produced by bees in New Zealand and Australia that pollinate the Manuka flower. This unique form of honey is popular for its medicinal properties all over the world.
With the best antibacterial properties, Manuka also has antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Your veterinarian can use Manuka honey or a product containing it for wound treatment. Remember, never try to treat your cat’s wound at home without the help of your veterinarian.
Avoid Any Kind of Processed Honey
Processed honey is stripped of nearly all health benefits. Most of the honey found in the grocery store has been refined, pasteurized, and stripped of life-saving health benefits. Cross-contaminated in mills and watered down, processed honey is totally useless and does not contain any health benefits for your kitty.
In simpler words, even with raw honey, there is not enough evidence to support honey-easing cat allergies to suggest it as a recommended treatment. If you need to relieve your kitty’s allergic reactions or help alleviate its sore throat, don’t opt for honey.
Instead, talk to your vet and follow their advice. After all, your pet’s immune system and nutritional requirements are not made to treat you with something that’s been proved to be beneficial for humans only.
When Should I Give My Cat Honey?
To be really frank, we wouldn’t try giving honey to a cat, regardless of its health benefits. Foods, including pumpkin, blueberries, peas, and broccoli, are even more nutritious, safer, and filled with antioxidants.
Moreover, they are safe for cats and are favored by a range of high-quality pet food manufacturers.
Can Cats Eat Cheerios?
Cheerios is a timeless snack and cereal that is easy on the stomach and simple and nutritious for a quick and easy breakfast. There’s no doubt that Cheerios is perfect for humans, but is it healthy to let your lovely kitty eat Cheerios? Can cats eat cheerios?
The good news is that cats can eat Cheerios, and they’re not harmful to cats at all. However, even though Cheerios isn’t dangerous, they’re not exactly a perfect dietary staple for your cat either. Cheerios don’t give your precious kitty all the food nutrients it needs, so it’s not that safe for your kitty to eat it daily.
If you intend to give Honey Nut Cheerios to your cat, do not add milk as adult cats are naturally lactose-intolerant because they do not produce enough lactase.
Although they may not be poisonous or dangerous for your kitty as long as you are not considering chocolate flavor. These breakfast cereals are not one of the kinds of food they need because they are carnivores and cereals are unnecessary for them.
Sweet Alternatives Cats Can Eat, Besides Honey
One thing that might surprise you about cats is that cats can’t taste sweet things because they lack the receptor for sweetness. Now you understand why your kitty prefers tuna over cake.
In fact, it’s because cats can’t even taste sweet food—a significant reason why you should avoid allowing your cat to eat items that are sugary or high in carbohydrates.
Although you might want to share a tasty sweet treat with your kitty, it will not have the same sensory experience as you. If you’ve ever seen your cat lick an ice cream dish clean, it’s not because they’re addicted to sugar—it is the fats that they really want.
It’s best to talk to your veterinarian before you introduce some new food to your pet. Your veterinarian will look at your cat’s anatomy and medical records when it comes to what’s safe to eat. Your vet might point out that cats don’t need sugar, and they probably don’t care about it anyway.
If you want to give your cat a little treat off the spoon, look for a safe substitute for your kitty. People love fruits and vegetables, but your kitty likes meat. Tasty tuna or three-ingredient salmon treats are perfect homemade choices. The Internet has plenty of DIY organic cat treats to satisfy your kitty’s taste buds.
Why You Should Be Cautious About What to Feed Your Cat
This part may seem obvious, but you should be aware of what food you’re offering your cat or allowing your cat to have access to. Cats have some particular dietary requirements. If you want to keep your precious pet feeling safe enough to live for a long time, you should make sure that you fulfill these needs.
Here are a few basics of what you should know about cat nutrition, beyond the fact that your kitty can’t taste sugar and doesn’t need to eat carbs or sweet treats.
- Water is a vital food for cats. Keeping your cat hydrated is just as critical (if not more) as ensuring that your cat is well-fed.
- Your cat needs protein. Animal protein sources are good options since your cat is naturally carnivorous.
- Fat is vital in your cat’s diet because it helps keep skin and coat healthy. Many meat and fish sources contain essential fatty acids.
- Cats can quickly become overweight, much like humans. Be careful not to give your cat too much food or food that is too high in carbohydrates or too high in calories. Cat obesity can cause many problems, including joint pain, diabetes, liver problems, and more.
Final Verdict on Cats and Honey
Although cats and honey can be considered controversial and divided opinions on “cats can eat honey.” Honey is not on the list of cats’ poisonous foods. So it’s all right if they ingest any honey. However, the vets do not suggest feeding your cat with honey.
In fact, there’s no particular need to give your cat honey. They’re not going to really benefit from it at all, and you might put them at risk of other health issues by doing so.