How To Give My Dog Honey For Kennel Cough?
Is your pup coughing a lot all day and all night long? Or is retching and spitting out white foam? Unfortunately, this may mean that it has contracted kennel cough.
In the milder cases, and with proper care, your pup can get better and be ready to go to the dog park in about a week or two.
In more severe cases, the symptoms may be more serious, and your pet may need IV treatment, antibiotics, or even hospitalization and oxygen therapy.
But while it is always recommended that you follow your veterinarian’s instructions and prescribed medication and treatment, in mild cases of kennel cough, you can also use some home remedies to help the symptoms to subside and go away faster.
One of the best home remedies for treating this unpleasant condition in canines is giving your pup honey for kennel cough.
More About Kennel Cough
Kennel cough is the common name for canine infectious respiratory disease or infectious tracheobronchitis. In simple terms, it is a highly contagious form of bronchitis, which causes a persistent, dry, hacking cough, sounding like the pup has an object stuck in its throat.
This disease is easily spread among dogs, especially in places where there is more than one pup, such as animal shelters, dog parks, grooming salons, puppy daycare, boarding kennels, and others, hence the name kennel cough.
It is caused by airborne bacteria or viruses, easily spread via sneezing and coughing, but it can also be contracted via food and water bowls, toys, and other objects. It can most commonly be caused by Bortadella bronchiseptica bacteria, mycoplasma, parainfluenza virus, and/or canine adenovirus.
The disease spreads very quickly in enclosed facilities with limited airflow or in warm and humid premises.
The first symptoms of kennel cough appear about 3-4 days after the animal is infected.
Thankfully, in mild cases, kennel cough is easy to treat, and the dog will recover completely in a few weeks.
In more severe cases, the illness can progress to pneumonia or lead to other complications and even death.
Still, when timely and proper care is taken and the right treatment is appointed, your dog should get better, and the prognosis, in most cases, is pretty good for a full recovery.
What Are The Typical Symptoms Of Kennel Cough?
The first and most prominent symptom is the dry, persistent hacking cough which sounds like a honking goose.
Here are the most common symptoms that your furbaby may have contracted kennel cough:
- A hacking, persistent dry cough that continues all night long
- Retching and expelling white foam
- A sensitive trachea – coughing when you apply pressure to its throat
- Sneezing
- Runny eyes or nose
In more severe cases, the symptoms can include:
- A loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Difficulty breathing
- Fever
How Long Does Kennel Cough Last?
In mild cases, your dog will most likely start feeling better in about one or two weeks after contracting the disease.
In severe cases, it may take three to six weeks for a pup to recover from kennel cough.
Unfortunately, there is a risk of a lethal end in the worst and most complicated cases of kennel cough.
Healthy young dogs are more likely to recover faster from it than senior dogs or those with other underlying health issues.
Why Is Honey One Of The Best Home Remedies For Kennel Cough?
Raw honey is among the best natural treatments for kennel cough. Honey has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antiviral, and antifungal properties. Thus it can help fight off the infection and kill the harmful microbes in the dog’s throat.
Raw honey is also rich in antioxidants, flavonoids, and enzymes, which can help boost the dog’s immune system and help its organism fight the disease.
What Is The Best Honey To Use For Treating Kennel Cough?
If you get the chance, buy some locally produced, organic raw honey. It usually is 100% natural and doesn’t contain added sugars.
Raw honey can be found with honeycomb, propolis, and pollen, which are very healthy and beneficial for you and your dog.
Manuka raw honey is among the best options for treating kennel cough.
Avoid using commercially made honey from the store because it will not have the health benefits of all-natural honey.
How Much Honey Should I Give To My Dog For Kennel Cough?
The recommended amount of honey for relieving the cough, sore throat, and other symptoms of kennel cough is ½-1 teaspoon 3-4 times a day for a dog weighing 30-50 lbs. you can adjust the quantity depending on your pup’s weight.
The best way to give your pet honey is by mixing it with warm water and serving it in a bowl. This will make it easier to lap up and swallow by the dog.
If you have a picky eater, you can mix the honey with a favorite treat or snack, like peanut butter or something else your pup will gladly eat.
Give it the honey after it has eaten and drank water. This will allow as much honey as possible to remain coated on the sides of its throat.
Another way to feed your dog the recommended quantity of honey is to mix it up with its food.
Are There Other Natural Home Remedies For Kennel Cough?
It is important to follow the treatment plan prescribed by your veterinarian closely. At the same time, you should let your sick pup get as much rest as possible and eat a balanced and nutritious diet.
You can use a humidifier to help keep the air moister and thus relieve the dryness of your dog’s throat and its cough.
Do not use a collar and leash while your furbaby has a kennel cough. Instead, use a harness that will not apply pressure on its throat.
Here are some of the other home remedies to help your pup recover from kennel cough:
Virgin Coconut Oil
Extra virgin coconut oil is another excellent natural remedy with antiviral properties. You can hide it in your pup’s favorite treat, or if your pet loves the taste- feed it some coconut oil directly.
The recommended quantity is two teaspoons for a large pup and one for smaller dogs.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon has antiviral properties and can also help fight off the viruses and microbes in your dog’s throat.
Sprinkle about half of a teaspoon on your pup’s regular food once a day. You may increase the dosage for larger dogs.
You can trick picky eaters into eating some cinnamon by hiding some in a high-value dog treat or snack.
Steam Inhalations
Turn the hot shower on or take a shower yourself, and invite the pup to sit or lay down in the bathroom with you, but not under the shower!
Steam inhalations for about 5-15 minutes a day can help alleviate the cough and reduce the irritation in your pup’s throat.
Don’t forget to bring your pup’s water bowl inside the bathroom so it can stay hydrated during the steam bath therapy.
During the rest of the time, you can help alleviate the symptoms of the kennel cough by using a humidifier in the room where your pup is staying or sleeping.
Are There OTC Medicines For Kennel Cough?
Never give your dog any human medications without specific instructions or being prescribed by a veterinarian!
Instead, you can give your furry friend some DMG or other holistic antioxidants for canines, which are sold in many pet stores.
What Other Illnesses Can Honey Be Used For In Dogs?
Natural raw honey is a wonderful home remedy for humans and dogs alike. Just keep in mind that honey contains a lot of natural sugars, so be careful with the quantities you give to your pup. Too much sugar can lead to tooth decay, obesity, and other problems in dogs.
Apart from helping relieve the symptoms of kennel cough, you can use it for the following health issues in canines too.
Pollen And Other Seasonal Allergies
Raw honey is believed to help pups develop a resistance to the pollen which causes their seasonal allergies.
Honey also contains flavonoids which can help relieve the symptoms of allergies in dogs, such as itchy skin or eyes.
Skin Irritations And Other Skin Problems
Since it is an all-natural antiseptic, raw honey can efficiently resolve skin problems in canines. Some skin issues you can treat with a topical application of raw honey include hot spots, insect bites, eczema, scratches, and more.
Digestive Issues And Gut Health
Raw honey contains healthy probiotics and prebiotics, which can help improve your pup’s gut health and resolve digestive issues such as diarrhea, constipation, or indigestion.
Excess Weight
Some scientists claim that a tiny bit of raw honey can help slow down the conversion of sugar and the digestion of the dog, which can help in some cases of dogs being overweight or obese.
Still, honey is loaded with sugar, so speak with your veterinarian before giving any honey, especially to a dog that is already overweight!
Final Verdict
Raw honey is one of the best natural remedies you can give your pup if it is suffering from kennel cough.
Follow your vet’s instructions for a treatment plan very closely. Use the honey as an additional remedy to help alleviate the coughing and soothe your pup’s throat irritation.
Honey is a natural antiseptic, and apart from its antimicrobial properties, it also has antiviral, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. This makes it an excellent home remedy for different illnesses and conditions in canines.
But remember that honey contains a lot of natural sugar, so you should be careful with the amounts you give to your pup.
For peace of mind, speak to your veterinarian first before starting to give your pet any honey or other new foods.
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