According to a 2014 survey by the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PFMA), there are estimated to be about 65 million pets in the UK alone – aptly proving the country’s label as a nation of pet lovers. And boy do we love them: we pamper them, buy them presents and even take them on holiday, but for many pets bring us joy, companionship and love.
Manuka honey has a proven ability to help skin
The ability of manuka honey to help heal wounds is not just hearsay but is well known, documented and researched. There are an increasing number of wound care products made with a medical grade manuka honey that are in use in clinical settings to treat skin wounds and ulcers. But did you know there are also skin care products for animals that are also made with manuka honey?
Manuka honey to the rescue
The same properties that make medical grade manuka honey useful in treating wound care for humans makes it suitable for use on animals too. It may come as a surprise to learn more and more vets are turning to manuka honey based preparations in the veterinary world. Manuka honey based products are used to treat, among other things, minor cuts and wounds, bites, grazes, irritation and inflammation. There are a variety of veterinary products available and some are also used for trauma and surgical wounds in:
- Dogs
- Cats
- Horses
Why manuka honey?
Manuka honey has special antibacterial properties, which is referred to as its non-peroxide activity and this has even proven effective against MRSA bacteria. Honey is used to treat wounds because:
- It creates a moist environment that is beneficial for healing
- Manuka honey has an osmotic effect, meaning it draws fluid, debris and dead (necrotic) tissue from the wound
- It reduces any potential bad smell from wounds (malodour)
Medical grade manuka honey
Remember though that these products use a medical grade manuka honey, which basically means the honey has strong antibacterial qualities (higher than UMF 10+) and has been sterilized. For more information, you should seek advice from your veterinary professional.
Read more about medical grade manuka honey here.