We know the amazing effects the antibacterial properties found in pure Australian Manuka honey has on wounds and burns, to relieve colds, ulcers and infections in humans; but is Manuka honey safe for animals? Just as with humans, Manuka honey is safe for pets and has been used to help heal wounds in dogs, cats, horses, and other animals.
How does Manuka honey help?
According to Blackmores, Manuka honey provides a moist wound environment and a protective barrier, preventing bacterial infection. It also helps remove damaged and dead cells, which – if left behind – provide a medium for bacteria to grow on, perpetuate inflammation, and delay wound healing.” Dogs Naturally Magazine notes that therapeutic Manuka honey (that is, Manuka with an MGO of 100 or more) can be applied to cuts or burns, or to treat any kind of wound or infection. With its unique properties, therapeutic Manuka honey is a natural:
- antiseptic
- antibiotic
- antifungal
- antiviral
AB’s Honey 100% pure Australian Manuka Honey has the added benefits of being raw honey – meaning its natural goodness and antibacterial properties have not been stripped away due to pasteurisation. Higher grade MGO Manuka honey can also be diluted by up to 50% and still maintain its antimicrobial effect, allowing for some additional ways Manuka honey can be used for wounds. Adding Manuka honey to a topical antibiotic cream has been known to improve the performance of the cream alone.
The University of Sydney also conducted research into the healing benefits of Manuka honey on horse wounds. The research found that wounds treated with Manuka honey UMF 20 (equivalent to MGO 829) healed faster than wounds treated with generic honey, or left untreated. That’s an excellent reason for horse owners to always have a jar of our Manuka Honey MGO 900+ available!
Australian vs New Zealand Manuka Honey
Leptosperin has been linked to the authentication of Manuka honey and to it’s human health benefits. New research from the the University of the Sunshine Coast shows Leptosperin levels in Australian Manuka were up to nearly three times that found in New Zealand Manuka Honey.
Our 4 Strengths of AB’s Manuka Honey
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Manuka honey for animal wounds
Veterinary Practice provides two great tips for using Manuka honey on dog, cat, and even horse wounds :
- Create a Manuka honey solution – therapeutic grade Manuka honey squeezed into a syringe with up to 50% warm saline added and shaken to make a solution. This solution can be used to flush into pocketing wounds, beneath areas of the wound separation, or to moisten gauze intended for wet-to-dry application, giving a level of antimicrobial and osmotic action.
- Manuka honey gel – therapeutic grade Manuka honey can be mixed up to 50:50 with a hydrogel (ask your local pharmacy or vet) to create an osmotic gel. This creates a warm, moist environment, which promotes healing of the wound and encourages new skin to grow. The gel you create may be particularly helpful for cases of burns or where tissue loss is extensive. This helps many animals, but is particularly great for horses, especially for hoof infections.
Just like we use it on ourselves, Manuka honey provides a great alternative to other synthetic products to protect wounds, burns, and grazes or as a general first aid. In addition to the topical application of Manuka to support quicker healing time, Manuka honey has also been shown to be beneficial for conditions such as kennel cough by alleviating many of your dog’s symptoms. Of course, we are no veterinarians, so it’s always good to check with your pet’s vet. AB’s Honey offers Australia’s best therapeutic grade 100% raw Manuka honey. View the full range of Manuka honey here.