Can Dogs Eat Honey? Yes, in moderation: Safe Amount by Weight

In moderation

Yes, in moderation

most adult dogs can have a small amount of honey. It is mostly sugar, so keep portions tiny. Do not give raw honey to puppies or dogs with weak immune systems, and avoid it for diabetic or overweight dogs.

Honey for dogs at a glance

Can dogs eat it?	In moderation
Calories	About 21 kcal per teaspoon of honey
Main benefit	Natural sugar can make a pill or medicine more appealing
Main risk	High in sugar and calories (about 21 kcal per teaspoon)
Puppies?	In tiny amounts once on solid food; puppies have sensitive stomachs

How much honey can a dog eat?

Vets recommend keeping all treats under 10% of daily calories. One teaspoon of honey has about 21 kcal. The chart shows the most a typical spayed or neutered adult dog could have in a day if honey were the only treat.

Dog weight	Daily treat budget	Max honey per day
10 lb (4.5 kg)	35 kcal	1.5 × teaspoon of honey
20 lb (9.1 kg)	59 kcal	2.5 × teaspoon of honey
40 lb (18.1 kg)	98 kcal	4.5 × teaspoon of honey
60 lb (27.2 kg)	133 kcal	6 × teaspoon of honey
80 lb (36.3 kg)	166 kcal	7.5 × teaspoon of honey

Benefits and risks

Benefits

Natural sugar can make a pill or medicine more appealing
Contains small amounts of antioxidants
A lick is a high-value reward

Risks

High in sugar and calories (about 21 kcal per teaspoon)
Raw honey can contain botulism spores, a concern for puppies and immunocompromised dogs
Not suitable for diabetic dogs; sugar also affects teeth

How to feed honey to your dog

Offer a small lick or a fraction of a teaspoon
Avoid honey for puppies under a year and dogs with diabetes
Brush teeth regularly if honey is a frequent treat

What if my dog ate too much honey?

Eating more than the recommended amount usually causes nothing worse than an upset stomach: soft stool, gas or vomiting. Skip treats for the rest of the day, keep fresh water available and call your vet if vomiting or diarrhea lasts more than 24 hours or your dog seems unwell.

Planning treats? Check your dog's full daily needs with the dog food calculator or dog calorie calculator.

Honey and dogs: FAQ

Can dogs have honey?

Yes, most adult dogs can have a small amount of honey. It is mostly sugar, so keep portions tiny. Do not give raw honey to puppies or dogs with weak immune systems, and avoid it for diabetic or overweight dogs.

Does honey help dogs with allergies?

Local honey is a popular home remedy, but there is little scientific evidence that it helps dogs with allergies.

Can puppies have honey?

It is safest to avoid raw honey for puppies, because their immune systems may not handle botulism spores well.

Can I give my dog honey for a cough?

A cough needs a vet check, especially kennel cough or heart-related coughs. Ask your vet before using honey.

More "can dogs eat" guides

Browse lists: human foods dogs can eat · foods dogs can't eat

Sources

This guide is general information for healthy adult dogs. Dogs with medical conditions (such as diabetes, pancreatitis, kidney disease or food allergies) may need different advice from their vet.

Can Dogs Eat Honey?