Can Cats Eat Honey? Our Vet Answers!
By Dr. Paola Cuevas, MVZ (Vet)
Updated on
Do you ever feel guilty enjoying a tasty treat while your cat glares at you, obviously wanting you to indulge it with a taste as well? It’s common for pet owners to feel this way. After all, every time you’re eating something delicious, your cat makes it clear that they want a piece for themselves. Sometimes, this is perfectly acceptable, such as when you’re eating fish or chicken that hasn’t been seasoned with onions or garlic. But many foods that are harmless or even healthy for humans can be potential hazards for our cats.
Honey is sweet and scrumptious with a delectable scent that attracts cats just like it attracts people. If you’re eating honey, your cat is likely to want a taste, and in this case, a taste is harmless. But in general, no, cats should not eat honey, even though a small dose will not make your cat ill. Honey is high in carbohydrates, and regularly feeding it to your cat can cause problems, which we discuss in this article.
Is Honey Toxic for Felines?
Quite a few foods are toxic for cats that are commonly eaten by humans. Luckily, honey is not one of these foods. Honey is not toxic for cats, and if your cat eats some honey, it shouldn’t experience any major negative side effects, though, in some cases, mild side effects may occur. Even though honey isn’t toxic for cats, it’s still not a great food to offer on any sort of regular basis.
Is Honey Healthy for Cats?
Honey is not a healthy food for cats. Cats are obligate carnivores. This means that all of the nutrition a cat needs can be derived solely from eating other animals. Honey may have been made by living creatures, but it’s still not part of a cat’s natural diet. So, while it’s not going to hurt your cat to eat a little honey, it’s also not particularly good for them.
Your cat can’t really get any benefits from eating honey, though it can certainly experience some negative side effects from overconsumption.
Can Cats Digest Honey?
Cats’ digestive systems are designed for animal-based proteins. Humans can consume a variety of ingredients without issue because we’re omnivores. Cats are carnivores, so the excessive sugars that are present in honey might cause them gastrointestinal distress, especially if they consume large amounts of it.
Carbohydrates should be kept at a minimum when feeding an obligate carnivore, and honey is high in carbohydrates. Also, did you know that cats are unable to detect the sweet taste?
Side Effects of Feeding Honey to a Cat
The main side effect that any feline is likely to experience after eating honey is stomach discomfort. Since they can’t properly digest honey, it can cause a bit of havoc in their digestive systems, though it usually doesn’t do this if eaten in small enough amounts.
Weight gain is another side effect of feeding honey to a cat. Honey is packed with calories. A single tablespoon contains 64 calories, which is similar to more than half a 3-ounce can of wet cat food. As you can see, it can easily lead to a cat becoming overweight or even obese, which can come with a litany of other health concerns.
Is Honey Good for a Sick Cat?
While honey is not easy for a cat to digest, it can still be beneficial. High-grade Manuka honey is successfully used to treat wounds and injuries in cats and other pets. The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of this honey can help promote the natural healing processes of the skin.
The antibacterial properties of Manuka honey include its low pH, which helps kill any bacteria present in the wounds, and the presence of methylglyoxal, a natural bacteriostatic compound present in Manuka honey. Phenolic acids and flavonoids are natural antioxidants that have also been linked to antimicrobial effects.
Honey creates an osmotic barrier that naturally debrides and protects the skin, aiding its faster regeneration.
What Happens if a Cat Eats Too Much Honey?
If your cat eats too much honey, it will likely have to deal with some diarrhea. There’s also anecdotal evidence that regular consumption of honey might be connected with botulinum, a bacteria that causes botulism. It’s rare for honey to cause botulism, but it has been reported as the cause of several cases of infant botulism, and it’s definitely an unnecessary risk that you expose your cat to if you feed them too much honey.
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Featured Image Credit: Pixabay
