Can Cats Eat Honey? What Owners Should Know

Cats cannot taste sweet

Most mammals taste sweetness through a pair of receptor proteins. In cats, the gene for one of them is broken, a finding published by researchers in 2005, so cats do not experience sugar as sweet. If your cat licks honey, it is more likely curious about the smell, texture or the fact that you are eating it. That also means honey is not a treat cats enjoy the way people or dogs might.

Why honey is not a good food for cats

Cats are obligate carnivores: their bodies are built to get energy from protein and fat, and they have little use for sugar. Honey is around 80 percent sugar by weight. Even small amounts add calories with no nutrition a cat needs, and larger amounts can cause vomiting or diarrhea. Over time, extra sugar contributes to weight gain, which raises the risk of feline diabetes.

• Kittens: no honey; their digestion and immune systems are still developing.
• Diabetic cats: no honey; sugar affects blood glucose.
• Overweight cats: no honey; it adds empty calories.
• Cats with sensitive stomachs: avoid; sugar can cause digestive upset.

My cat licked honey: what should I do?

A small lick of plain honey is unlikely to harm a healthy adult cat. Wipe its paws and face, put the jar away, and watch for vomiting, diarrhea or unusual behavior. Call your vet if symptoms appear, if your cat ate a large amount, or if it has diabetes or other health conditions.

Check what was in the honey. Honey-sweetened foods may contain ingredients that are dangerous to cats, such as xylitol in some sugar-free products, chocolate, raisins, onion or garlic. Honey fermented with garlic is especially risky, since garlic is toxic to cats. If you are unsure, call your vet or an animal poison control line.

What about honey on wounds?

Medical-grade honey products are sometimes used by veterinarians as part of wound care, but these are sterile, specially prepared products used under professional supervision. Do not put kitchen honey on a cat's wound yourself: cats groom and will lick it off, and an untreated wound needs a vet's attention.

Better treats for cats

Cats do best with treats that match their carnivorous diet: small pieces of plain cooked chicken or fish without seasoning, freeze-dried meat treats, or commercial cat treats. Keep treats to a small share of daily calories. For dog owners, honey is a different story; see can dogs eat honey.

Keeping honey away from pets

Store honey sealed in a cupboard, and wipe sticky spoons and counters, which can attract curious cats as well as ants. Never leave honey on a plate where a pet can reach it, especially in homes with kittens or diabetic cats.