Does Honey Help With Dog Bronchitis? [Kennel Cough]

Honey works wonders for alleviating the symptoms of dog bronchitis. It provides a triple punch to your dog’s bronchitis by soothing the throat, calming the inflammation, and fighting the bacteria. Honey helps moisten the airways, getting rid of the need to constantly cough. 

Though many people don’t realize it, dogs can get colds and bronchitis just like humans. Bronchitis in dogs, also commonly known as kennel cough, is a disease that inflames the bronchial airways causing your dog to cough (a lot). 

All dogs cough from time to time,  but a dog that coughs frequently for an extended period may be suffering from bronchitis.

Having a sick dog is difficult, not only because you want your pup to get better, but because the remedy/medication can be expensive. Trips to the vet and costly medications and treatments can add up quickly. 

Because of this, many dog owners are turning to “at home” solutions. Natural remedies are gaining popularity not only because they are natural but because they are cheaper than traditional medication. 

In the case of bronchitis, people are turning to honey. Honey is a natural cough suppressant that not only eases the symptoms of bronchitis but can help fight the source. 

This article will detail how dogs get bronchitis as well as how honey can help cure it.

What Causes Bronchitis?

Bronchitis is an illness that occurs when the bronchial airways (the lower airways inside the lungs) become inflamed. 

Bronchitis is caused by bacteria, allergies, parasites, or chronic inhalation of irritants in the environment (such as smoke or exhaust fumes). 

Bronchitis caused by bacteria can quickly spread from dog to dog, especially in closed areas like kennels. This is why dog bronchitis is also called “kennel cough.”

There is a wide range of symptoms for bronchitis, but the most common one is constant coughing. 

If your dog only coughs occasionally, he may be fine. It’s frequent coughing over a long period that is cause for concern. In addition to coughing, there are many other symptoms to look out for, including:

• Retching or gagging
• Spitting up foam or mucus
• Sneezing
• Nasal discharge
• Runny eyes
• Difficulty breathing
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy

Bronchitis does not show up in the same way for every dog. Some dogs will only have mild symptoms that go away in a week or two. Other dogs will have more severe symptoms that can jeopardize their health. 

Whatever the case, it is essential to treat your dog’s bronchitis quickly. By doing so, you ensure that not only will your dog feel better immediately, but you also prevent the condition from spreading to other dogs that may have more severe symptoms.

When your dog shows these symptoms, it’s always best to take him to a vet to get checked. However, whether or not your dog’s symptoms are severe, you still need to find a solution to them, especially the constant coughing. 

Instead of paying for expensive medications, you may find that honey works wonders.

Honey For Your Dog’s Bronchitis

Honey helps with the most common symptom of bronchitis: coughing. 

Any human who has had a bad cough, bronchitis, or pneumonia knows that coughing non-stop can be annoying and painful.

If your dog has bronchitis, he is likely suffering from excessive coughing but doesn’t know how to stop it. 

His airways are dry and inflamed, and coughing can worsen the inflammation, adding fuel to the cycle.

So how does something as simple as honey work against coughing? 

Honey works well because it moistens the airways, getting rid of the need to cough in the first place. The soothing effect on the throat relaxes the body’s need to cough.

Raw honey has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. That means it can reduce the inflammation in the bronchial airways and fight any bacteria in the cases of bacteria-induced bronchitis. 

Honey gives a triple punch to your dog’s bronchitis by soothing the throat, calming the inflammation, and fighting the bacteria.

You can feed your dog honey directly with a teaspoon or mix it into his food. A 30 to 50 lb dog can consume about three or four teaspoons of honey throughout the day. You can adjust this amount based on the size of your dog.

Another method is to add one-half to one tablespoon of honey and some warm water into your dog’s water bowl. The warm water will also help keep your dog hydrated and his airways moistened.

Honey Does Much More Than Alleviate Bronchitis

Even after your dog is cured of bronchitis, you can still find many uses for that honey! As mentioned before, honey reduces inflammation, making it an excellent remedy for stomach sores and sore throats. 

This also makes honey a perfect solution for various external skin problems, such as insect bites, eczema, and minor scratches and bites.

Feeding your dog local raw honey can help them fight seasonal allergies. Honey is made from local pollen from flowers, which is also one of the leading causes of allergies in humans and dogs. 

Giving your dog small amounts of honey over time can help him build an immunity and overcome those allergies.

Honey also has prebiotics and probiotics that can help with digestion issues such as indigestion, diarrhea, and constipation.

In addition to all these great benefits, honey contains vitamins A, B complex, C, D, E, and K, along with minerals such as calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, and manganese. 

So even if your dog does not suffer from any of the mentioned afflictions, you may want to feed him some honey just for the nutritional benefits!

The only word of caution about honey is that you may want to give your dog small amounts to avoid sugar spikes and diabetes since honey is high in sugar. 

If you’re going to incorporate more honey into your dog’s diet, consult with your vet.  

Other Natural Remedies For Bronchitis

Honey isn’t the only natural remedy for coughing and bronchitis. Other cough suppressants you can try are licorice root and lemon, as they also help soothe the throat. 

Coconut oil has antiviral agents that can help suppress the cough and fight bacteria-induced bronchitis.

If your home is dry, try using a humidifier. Since inflammation creates dry airways, creating a more humid environment should ease the coughing and inflammation. 

A more creative option is to bring your dog in the bathroom with you while you take a hot shower or bath. The steam from the water can ease some of the inflammation and dryness.

In the case of bronchitis created by environmental factors, getting rid of the irritant is the best solution. 

Dogs are very sensitive to certain environmental factors, so you need to be careful when introducing them to your environment. For example, if you smoke around your dog and notice that he is frequently coughing, you may need to smoke away from him.

Finally, it never hurts to ensure that your dog is getting plenty of rest, food, and water while he is sick. Ensuring your dog is well-nourished and well-rested goes a long way when helping your dog overcome any illness.

Give Honey a Try!

Bronchitis can be a terrible and painful illness to go through. Your dog is suffering from inflammation and horrible coughing and can’t do anything about it. Unfortunately, vet visits and medical solutions can be expensive.

Honey is a great alternative that is natural, safe, effective, and cheap. It not only alleviates some symptoms but can even fight the source (bacteria). The next time your dog shows signs of bronchitis, feed him a few teaspoons of honey and see if it helps!

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