A Sweet Treat that is Healthy for Your Pet
Many people love honey – that golden, gooey sweet mixture that tastes great with all kinds of foods including tea, toast, scones, and baked goods. Even though we love honey, we often don’t think about the health benefits it may have for us let alone the health benefits it can have for our four-legged family members. What is important to keep in mind when considering honey for your health or your pet’s is that not all honey is created equal – the type of honey you choose means a lot.
What Type of Honey is Right for You and Your Pet?
Honey generally comes in two types – processed honey or raw honey. Processed honey is heat treated, pasteurized, filtered, and typically has a very golden yet clear appearance, much like the honey you see in grocery stores in bear-shaped bottles. While having honey that has be processed may seem like a safe option, this heat-treated honey often loses a lot of its health benefits; these are compromised during the pasteurization process. Raw honey, in its most natural form has many benefits including:
- Anti-microbial properties
- Anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties
- Alkaline-forming
- Natural nutrients and enzymes
- High concentrations of antioxidants
There have been a number of medical studies surrounding raw honey and the benefits people claim that it has. These studies have shown that raw honey can help with a number of ailments including soothing a sore throat, healing ulcers, and even managing diarrhea. Additionally, honey has often been used as a natural way to treat skin conditions and wounds including acne, abrasions, cuts, and other skin problems. Just as honey can be beneficial for humans, many of these benefits can also be experienced by animals.
Cautions for Using Manuka Honey with Your Pets
While raw honey may seem like a great, natural way to help improve your furry family member’s health, you should always take proper precautions when considering its use. First, if your pet is diabetic, it is important to consult with a veterinary nutritionist or holistic veterinarian to make sure giving them Manuka or another raw honey is safe. Because there are natural ingredients in raw honey that can be considered dangerous for young children or pets, the product should not be used on any pets under the age of one or infant children (always consult with your doctor or vet before changing a diet).
If you would like to order Manuka honey for you and your pet, all you need to do is click here.
