Sweets & snacks
Can cats eat honey?
Not needed. Cats can’t taste sweetness and honey only adds sugar.
Why Sugar; botulism spores in raw honey
By Maya HartIf your cat ate some
- A small amount usually causes nothing worse than a mild stomach upset.
- Offer water, skip the next treat and call your vet if vomiting or diarrhoea lasts more than a day or your pet seems unwell.
Signs to watch for
- Upset stomach after a large amount
How much, how often
Avoid, or a tiny lick.
Treats of any kind should stay under 10% of the day’s calories. Work out your pet’s calories
Serving it safely
- Plain honey, not products with xylitol
- Skip for puppies and diabetic pets
Dogs and cats, side by side
Dogs In moderation
A little is fine for healthy adult dogs, but honey is pure sugar. Avoid it for puppies, diabetic or overweight dogs, and don’t give raw honey to dogs with weak immune systems.
How much: Up to a teaspoon for a medium dog, occasionally.
Can dogs eat honey?Cats In moderation
Not needed. Cats can’t taste sweetness and honey only adds sugar.
How much: Avoid, or a tiny lick.
The details
Raw honey can carry spores of Clostridium botulinum. Healthy adult dogs cope with them, which is why the warning mostly applies to puppies and immunocompromised dogs — the same reason honey is not given to human babies. Claims that local honey helps with allergies in pets are not supported by good evidence.
Safer treats your cat can have instead
Questions owners ask
Can cats eat honey?
Not needed. Cats can’t taste sweetness and honey only adds sugar.
How much honey can a cat have?
Avoid, or a tiny lick.
What makes honey risky for cats?
Sugar; botulism spores in raw honey.
What are the signs to watch for in cats?
upset stomach after a large amount.
What should I do if my cat ate honey?
A small amount usually causes nothing worse than a mild stomach upset. Offer water, skip the next treat and call your vet if vomiting or diarrhoea lasts more than a day or your pet seems unwell.
Is honey safe for dogs too?
A little is fine for healthy adult dogs, but honey is pure sugar. Avoid it for puppies, diabetic or overweight dogs, and don’t give raw honey to dogs with weak immune systems.
Sources
Tailwise is for general information and is reviewed by veterinary professionals, but it is not a substitute for advice from your own vet, who knows your pet. How we check facts
