Mary Allen
Honey is one of Mother Nature’s most delicious and nutritionally valuable sweets. There are numerous culinary uses for it, not only in hot and cold drinks but also in various gourmet preparations.
Every time we add a spoonful of honey to our coffee, our feline pals swoop in, meowing and begging for a tiny bit of the sweet nectar. At this moment the question arises: Can cats eat honey?
CAN CATS EAT HONEY?
Honey is in no way harmful to cats. To answer your question, cats are allowed to eat a small amount of honey without any negative health consequences. In contrast, honey is not generally considered the most effective medication for cats; in fact, most veterinarians and feline nutritionists strongly advise against giving honey to cats. As little as a teaspoon of honey can cause gastrointestinal problems in many cats, even if they are not overweight.
Continue reading the essay to get a full understanding of this topic because there is more than a simple yes or no to the answer.
CAN KITTEN EAT HONEY?
No! Honey is taboo for kittens. While adult cats can ingest a few drops of honey without getting sick, kittens’ delicate digestive systems are unable to process even trace amounts of honey.
Kittens have extremely sensitive internal organs. They should be fed mother’s milk exclusively for the first few weeks, and when the mother cat is not around they should be fed powdered kitten cat milk. Once fully weaned, they should only be fed kitten food — including human products known to be safe for cats.
Giving honey to our newborn kittens is not a good idea. Not only would this harm their health, leading to diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, but it would also increase their risk of obesity. You should keep the honey jar out of reach.
WHAT HAPPENS IF MY CAT EATS HONEY?
As already mentioned, honey in any form does not contain fiber. However, that doesn’t mean it can’t have the negative consequences of excess fiber consumption. In humans, too, honey can cause stomach pains and other uncomfortable but minor health problems.
In cats, honey can:
- Vomiting, diarrhea, increased insulin levels
- weight gain
- botulinum
- full of sugar
- Increased risk of diabetes
Depending on your pet’s immune system, digestive system, age, breed, and overall health, even a teaspoon of honey may be too much for the kitten. Cats with diabetes and obesity and young kittens with immature immune systems should avoid honey at all costs! Sugar, calories, and bacteria in this delicious treat can kill them!
ARE CATS ABLE TO DIGEST HONEY?
The cat’s digestive system has trouble processing carbohydrates such as fructose and glucose. That’s because a cat’s liver lacks the enzyme glucokinase, which is needed to break down sugar. Unfortunately, honey contains 40% fructose and 30% glucose. Therefore, when cats consume honey, their bodies have to work overtime to digest it.
WHEN CAN YOUR CAT EAT HONEY?
As mentioned earlier, honey contains antioxidants and possesses antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, all of which help relieve allergic reactions. Therefore, a cat can consume honey to relieve allergies. Of course, there are other therapies for your cat’s allergies that are completely safe. Immunotherapy, antihistamines, and decongestant sprays are just a few.
Also, honey only provides temporary relief from your cat’s allergy symptoms.
HOW MUCH HONEY CAN I FEED MY CAT?
If you absolutely must give your cat honey, be careful not to give her too much. Half a teaspoon of honey a day is sufficient for smaller cats. For larger cats, 1 spoonful of honey per day is sufficient.