Complete guide to benefits of Manuka honey for pets & vets

As pet owners, we all want to give our animals the best care possible. Many of us already use natural products for our own health, so it’s only natural to consider similar options for our pets. This has led to growing interest in Manuka honey for pets, supported by its long history in human health and its increasing use in veterinary care.

From helping soothe minor skin irritations to supporting digestion, Australian Manuka honey offers a range of potential benefits for animals. Whether your dog has a small scrape after a bushwalk or your cat needs gentle digestive or immune support, understanding how to use high-grade Manuka honey can be a useful addition to your pet care toolkit, especially when guided by veterinary advice.

What Is Manuka Honey?

Manuka honey is a unique type of honey made by bees that collect nectar from Leptospermum trees, which are native to Australia and New Zealand. Unlike standard table honey, which is mainly used as a sweetener, authentic Manuka honey contains naturally occurring compounds that give it unique functional properties, including non-peroxide antibacterial activity. 

One of these compounds is methylglyoxal (MGO). MGO plays a key role in Manuka honey's antibacterial activity and is widely used as an indicator of its natural strength and quality.

MGO Ratings Explained

When choosing Manuka honey for pets, you will usually see an MGO rating on the label. MGO measures the concentration of methylglyoxal in the honey.

Higher MGO levels are associated with stronger antibacterial activity. For this reason, higher-MGO Manuka honey is often selected for wound care or situations where stronger antibacterial support is required. At Biosota, we produce some of the highest-MGO Manuka honey in the world, sourced from remote Leptospermum regions and independently lab-tested to verify strength and quality.

Medicinal-Grade vs Everyday Honey

Not all honey is the same. Supermarket honey is often heat-treated or pasteurised, which can reduce naturally occurring enzymes and bioactive compounds. In comparison, high-grade Manuka honey intended for skin or wound support is produced using more controlled methods and tested to verify its natural strength and quality.

This is why, when using honey as part of pet care, particularly for topical applications, choosing a carefully sourced and independently tested Manuka honey - such as those produced by Biosota - helps ensure consistency, purity and reliability.

How Manuka Honey Works for Pets

Manuka honey’s effectiveness lies in its unique natural composition. Unlike regular honey, it contains antibacterial activity from MGO that remains active in moist environments such as wounds. This helps discourage harmful bacteria while supporting the body’s natural healing process.

This process has been clearly described by researchers studying Manuka honey in clinical settings:

“The way Manuka acts against infection is it lifts infection out of the wound. Honey has these unique properties. It breaks up the biofilm that protects the bacteria. By breaking up that biofilm, it releases the bacteria into the honey mixture. Then methylglyoxal and other compounds present kill the bacteria.” Dr Peter Brooks, Lead Researcher, University of the Sunshine Coast

Animal and laboratory research also suggests that honey preparations can help moderate inflammation and support tissue repair, which may contribute to improved healing outcomes when used appropriately.(1)

Dogs, in particular, may benefit from Manuka honey’s antibacterial and soothing properties when used appropriately as part of wound and skin care. Read more about Manuka honey’s health and healing benefits for dogs here.

Key Benefits of Manuka Honey for Pets

Based on veterinary research and animal studies, Manuka honey may support several areas of pet health when used as a complementaryaid.(2)

Wound Healing

Manuka honey's antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties make it a valuable tool in promoting wound healing for pets and animals. It can help prevent infection, reduce inflammation, and stimulate tissue regeneration, accelerating the healing process.

Skin Conditions

Pets suffering from skin conditions such as dermatitis, hot spots, or allergies can benefit from the application of Manuka honey. Its natural antibacterial and soothing properties can help alleviate itching, redness, and irritation, providing relief to affected animals.

Digestive Health

Laboratory research suggests Manuka honey may support gut balance through prebiotic effects. Animal studies show anti-inflammatory benefits in gastric ulcers, though pet-specific digestive trials are limited.(3)

Oral Health

The antimicrobial properties of Manuka honey can aid in maintaining oral health in pets. It may help control oral bacteria, reduce plaque formation, and alleviate certain dental conditions such as gingivitis and periodontal disease.

Manuka Honey Use in Veterinary Practices

Manuka honey is increasingly used in veterinary practice, particularly for wound management. Veterinary surgeons commonly apply it topically or under dressings to help reduce bacterial contamination and support healing.

In a veterinary study conducted on horses, the effectiveness of Manuka honey in healing contaminated and normal wounds was assessed. The study focused on treating thick limb wounds using five different methods: Manuka honey, Manuka honey gel, Manuka gel for 12 days, another ointment for 12 days, and leaving the wounds untreated. After a period of 12 days, it was observed that wounds treated with Manuka honey and gel showed smaller size and faster healing, particularly in the case of contaminated wounds.(4)

These findings closely reflect what many veterinarians observe in everyday clinical practice. As equine veterinarian Dr Rhian Partridge explains:

“I’ve used Manuka honey as a primary aid for wound healing in horses for 12 years. I find Manuka honey is great for getting a really nice, healthy granulation bed. And then slowing down the development of that granulation tissue. We use it a lot in clinical practice and I find that it’s really good at what it does.” Dr Rhian Partridge, Director, Gold Coast Equine Clinic

Which MGO Strength Is Best for Pets?

Best Practices for Giving Manuka Honey to Pets

Manuka honey is natural but concentrated and should be used as a supplement, not a main food source. Start with small amounts and monitor your pet’s response. Always consult your veterinarian if your pet has existing health conditions, particularly diabetes, pancreatitis or obesity.

General daily guidelines

Safe Ways to Use Manuka Honey

Oral use: Mix into wet food or dissolve in a little warm water.

Topical use: Apply a thin layer to minor wounds or irritated skin and cover to prevent licking.

Skin rinse: Dilute in warm water and use as a gentle final rinse for itchy skin as an adjunct to prescribed treatments.

Supporting Your Pet's Health with Manuka Honey

Manuka honey is a versatile natural option that may support your pet’s wellbeing, particularly in wound and skin care. Its growing use in veterinary settings reflects a body of animal research and clinical experience showing how Manuka honey for pets can complement modern care when used appropriately.

By choosing high-quality Australian Manuka honey with a verified MGO rating - such as those carefully produced and independently tested by Biosota - and using it responsibly, pet owners can include it as part of a balanced, vet-guided care routine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Manuka honey replace antibiotics or vet treatment?

No. Manuka honey is a supportive tool and should never replace professional veterinary care or prescribed medication.

Can Manuka honey be used long term for pets?

Yes, in small amounts and with veterinary guidance, Manuka honey can be used long term as part of a balanced care routine.

Can puppies or kittens have Manuka honey?

Puppies and kittens should not be given honey before 8 weeks of age. After this point, some veterinarians may allow very smallamounts of Manuka honey in specific situations, but only under professional guidance, as young animals have developing digestive systems.

Is Manuka honey safe for horses or livestock?

High-MGO Manuka honey has been used in veterinary settings to support wound care in larger animals such as horses, particularly when applied topically under veterinary guidance. While honey may also be used as a general nutritional supplement in some cases, oral use and dosage should always be determined by a veterinarian, as evidence for gut health benefits in horses is limited and individual needs vary.

How do I store Manuka honey for pet use?

Store medicinal-grade Manuka honey in a cool, dark place (20°C) to preserve MGO potency and enzymes. Avoid refrigeration or heating, ensuring it remains effective for your pet's skin or digestive support.

Can Manuka honey help pets with allergies?

Manuka honey's anti-inflammatory properties may soothe allergy-related skin irritations in pets when applied topically or ingested daily. Source high-MGO Australian varieties for best results; pair with vet advice for ongoing management.

References

1.Mandal MD, Mandal S. Honey: its medicinal property and antibacterial activity. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed.2011;1(2):154-160.
Link:https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3941901/

2.Kwok CS, Franks LM, Mohanta PK, et al. Honey and its nutritional and anti-microbial properties. Foods. 2021;10(2):219.
Link:https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7847899/

3.AlmasaudiSB, Abbas AT, Al-Hindi RR, et al. Manuka honey exerts antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities that promote healing of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer in rats. 2017. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.Article ID 5413917.
Link:https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5307292/

4.The effect of short- and long-term treatment with Manuka honey on second intention healing of contaminated and non-contaminated wounds on the distal aspect of the forelimbs in horses. ResearchGate publication (clinical equine wound study).
Link:https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233874313_The_Effect_of_Short-_and_Long-Term_Treatment_with_Manuka_Honey_on_Second_Intention_Healing_of_Contaminated_and_Noncontaminated_Wounds_on_the_Distal_Aspect_of_the_Forelimbs_in_Horses