Bee Products for Pet Health!

by Trina Nowak, B.Sc.Agr.

* Honey, the result of pollen and bee enzymes, is made up of 35% protein & contains half of all the necessary amino acids. It is a highly concentrated source of many essential nutrients, including large quantities of carbohydrates (sugars), some minerals (Iron, Copper, Manganese, Silica, Chorine, Calcium, Potassium, Sodium, Phosphorus, Aluminum and Magnesium), B complex, and C, D, and E.

* It is a natural antiseptic and promotes healing and energy. Only unfiltered, unheated, unprocessed raw honey should be used as any processing destroys its healing qualities. It should be stored at room temperature in a tightly sealed glass vessel.

* Small children and infants (under 1 yr. old) should not be given honey as it can sometimes contain the spores of the bacteria that cause botulism which colonize in the digestive tract. It is considered safe after the age of 1. (This statement depends on the source of your honey) It has been successfully used for asthma, bed-wetting, burns, constipation, cough, diarrhea, diaper rash, as a facial, for hangover, hemorrhoids, acid reflux and indigestion, insomnia, digestive upset, for sexual stamina, shingles, sore throat, varicose ulcers, for weight control, various wounds and most importantly, bringing a dog in shock around.

* Dark honey is more effective than light honey.

* Honey has the ability to kill bacteria. You will notice that no matter how long you keep honey on the shelf, it doesn’t change in consistency, and doesn’t go bad. The Agriculture College in Colorado tried several experiments with honey in which a bacteriologist tried to grow certain diseases in honey. The honey killed all the microorganisms. Typhoid, A and B typhosus, bowel bacteria, broncho-pneumonia bacteria, peritonitis, pleuritis, and suppurative abscesses bacteria all died, as did dysentery-pneumonia bacteria. These tests were duplicated in Canada and Washington, D.C., producing the same results.

* If dogs are sick for any length of time and have not eaten a meal of honey and yogurt can do wonders to restore their appetites.

* It is especially important for those dogs that have weak digestive systems and are already being supplemented with enzymes. Honey contains the enzymes amylase and invertase, which aid digestion. Honey is not irritating to the lining of the digestive tract, it is easily and rapidly assimilated, it quickly furnishes the demand of energy, it helps recuperation, from any stressful event &endash; be it surgery or athletic endeavor &endash; it is handled well by the kidneys, it has a gentle laxative effect and it acts as a natural sedative to calm the body.

* It has been found that when a calcium supplement is taken with
honey, the system’s uptake of the mineral increases by as much as 25%.

* The best time to purchase honey is in late summer especially if in an area where local honey is available and the winter months are harsh, as the bees are feed a sugar/water diet when no flowers are present and the pollen is not utilized to create the honey. Honey from spring and summer flowers are considered the best. (This statement depends on where you live)

* Raw honeycombs are considered a nice thing for animals to chew on (in an area where the stickiness won’t be a bother) as it is sweet, is an immune builder, and is anti-allergenic, with all the nutritional properties mentioned above.

* For a sick animal, feed by the teaspoonful either alone or mixed with water, broth, herb tea, or natural juice. As a daily supplement mix 1 teaspoon each of raw honey & apple cider vinegar and add to 1 pint of drinking water.

Other Bee Products

* Bee Pollen aids digestion and circulation, and boosts the immune system. It speeds healing, reduces allergy symptoms, slows aging, and increases resistance to disease and stress. It helps anemia, artery disease, constipation, diarrhea, pregnancy and milk production. IT reduces breast tumours and is a cancer preventive and a brain stimulant.

* Propolis is especially useful for dogs or cats with infections, inflammations, bruises, or abscesses. It is an immune builder.

* Raw honeycomb, which pets chew is anti-allergic and useful for asthma, respiratory allergies, sinusitis, and allergic nasal discharge. It may be a preventive for respiratory infectious diseases.

* Royal jelly is high in anti-allergic vitamins B-5 and B-6 and helpful for pets with flea problems, liver and kidney disease (this is a digestible sugar), pancreatitis, broken bones, and skin problems. Like other bee products, it is also an immune strengthener.

Reference:

The Holistic Guide for a Healthy Dog by Wendy Volhard & Kerry Brown, DVM
The Natural Remedy Book for Dogs & Cats by Diane Stein