Natural home remedies for mild dog cough using raw honey
Natural home remedies for mild dog cough using raw honey. Whether you own a dog or cat, your pet’s cough will surely be enough to make you worry. While the knee jerk reaction is to head straight for your vet, a natural approach just might have been waiting for you in your cabinet the whole time, in the form of raw honey.
Can Dogs Have Honey? A Vet’s Perspective
Yes, dogs are allowed to eat honey, just in small amounts! Great for giving our friends a yummy treat without risking them getting any illness, 100% organic quality raw honey not only makes a sweet, healthy snack, but it has other potential benefits for our canine friends, first and foremost being that it aids with minor coughs by soothing any little throat irritations- honey also acts naturally as a demulcent!
However, it is important to remember that this is merely a supplement, not a cure, and that you should seek veterinarian assistance for dogs with more serious symptoms including lethargy, fever, and green snotty discharge.
How Raw Honey Works Against Canine Coughs
Raw honey gets its natural effects from the substances it contains. It’s produced with the use of enzymes, has traces of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help strengthen the immunity. Honey is thick and chewy, which coats the membranes of the throat and can help suppress a long, dry cough.
Because of these actions, it’s an ideal adjunctive therapy for:
- Kennel Cough (Bordetella): The sound these poor pups make, a sort of “honking” cough, can be significantly soothed by honey’s protective and coating action.
- Dust/ Smoke / Cold air: Any of the environmental factors which can lead to a tickly throat and cough. Minor throat infections: The mild antibacterial action of honey aids the natural body healing process.
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The Correct Dosage: Natural home remedies for mild dog cough using raw honey
The watchword here is “moderation”. As dogs eat up nectar produced by flowers and processed into honey in the bee’s body, overfeeding honey could result in weight gain, oral disease and tummy upset.
According to veterinaries, this is a responsible and healthy schedule to dose your dogs with raw honey, ideally fed at least two to three times a day:
| Dog’s Weight | Recommended Dosage (per serving) |
|---|---|
| 1-10 lbs (Toy Breeds) | ¼ to ½ teaspoon |
| 11-30 lbs (Small to Medium) | ½ to 1 teaspoon |
| 31-50 lbs (Medium to Large) | 1 to 2 teaspoons |
| Over 50 lbs (Large Breeds) | 1 tablespoon |
Pro Tip: Mix 2 parts water with 1 part honey, dissolve in a small amount of warm (not hot) water and then drink it as is. The honey-water will help moisten your throat in addition to being quite delicious!
When NOT to Give Honey to Dogs
Raw, natural honey is also not the right thing for every dog either and it should not be fed in the following instances:
- Puppies less than one year old: Honey is actually not safe to feed young puppies as they can contain Clostridium botulinum spores and while this would not necessarily hurt the stomach of an older dog, an immature puppy tummy could fail to have the proper protection required to process these spores which may lead to botulism.
- Diabetic or over weight dogs: This is fairly common knowledge, but since there is too much sugar in the honey the chances are it will cause severe highs and lows in blood sugar.
- Immuno compromized Dogs: Like puppies, dogs with poor immunity are not to be givenrawhoney as the spores present may be too much.
- History of Bee Allergy: If your dog has a known bee allergy then honey probably would not be recommended as it would still include bee sting components such as pollen and venom and could cause a negative reaction.
Beyond Coughs: Additional Benefits of Raw Honey
Some additional health benefits of using raw honey, in addition to cough suppression:
- Helps support the digestive system, useful in mild upset stomachs
- Soothes the system. Used locally for environmental allergies due to build up of resistance.
- Provides quick, healthy energy for active dogs due to its natural sugars.
FAQs
Can Raw Honey Help My Dog’s kennel Cough?
Raw honey works to coat the dog’s throat with a soothing layer, calming inflammation and the accompanying cough. Although honey will not cure Kennel Cough, it will treat the symptom effectively while your dog’s body heals the underlying illness.
Is Raw Honey Safe for Puppies?
For the first year of your dog’s life, generally no. Raw honey can contain botulinum spores which young puppies’ immune systems can’t combat effectively. Wait until your dog is one year or older.
My dog’s cough, Can I give honey and lemon?
No. The citric acid in lemon can irritate a dog’s stomach. Only give them pure honey or mix honey into a cup of warm water and allow it to cool.
How about a Wet Cough?
If your dog has a wet, phlegmy “productive” cough, this could mean your dog has fluid in the lungs. Honey will have less impact on a productive cough as you could be exacerbating what is actually the problem.
Have this looked at by a veterinary professional, especially if the cough is accompanied by a fever.
This may be pneumonia.
Manuka Honey?
The antibacterial properties in Manuka honey are more beneficial than regular, but only if the Manuka is authentic raw Manuka. Because the honey is that more beneficial, feed less quantity.
I have a Picky eater Dog. How Do I give him the honey?
Smear a bit on his paw, stir some into his food, or make a “honey tea” by dissolving a spoonful of raw honey in a cup of warm water and cool before serving to drink.
Will this help stop him coughing Right Away?
You can expect fast but temporary relief from kennel cough with honey. It works as it coat the throat while allowing your immune system to kick in to deal with underlying issue.
When Can I Give Honey?
Honey can be given up to 3 times per day in appropriate doses, or as needed for comfort.
Are there any issues for a pregnant or nursing mother?
It is best to check with a vet before giving either a pregnant or nursing dog new substances. However honey is generally considered safe for pregnant and nursing mothers.
Conclusion
With consistent, responsible usage, raw honey for your dog will provide substantial relief for his mild cough. This exemplifies the effective nature of relying on mother earth and veterinariens simultaneously to create an ultimate cure and it is only prudent to use only real raw ,unadulterated raw honey and consult your veterinarian, just as you will want to when dealing with a persistent cough. If you take all precautions with your pet, your natural remedy of choice for mild coughs may work like a charm.
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