Bee Pollen: A Super Nutrient For 5 Pet Problems
Bee Pollen is the food of the young honey bee. It is very nutrient dense containing: all essential amino acids ( 40% protein), over 20 minerals ( calcium, magnesium and iron), over 10 vitamins vitamins (B, C, E and D), enzymes and 14 beneficial fatty acids.
There are a number of health claims, and many of these are now being backed by science. All these antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and other components are working together to help the heart, skin, immune system and fight cancer.
Here are some specific benefits
Heart and Lungs: Bee pollen contains large concentrations of rutin, a bioflavonoid that is known to help blood vessels, circulation, protect the heart, and decrese the chance of stroke.
Weight Loss/Energy. It is high in protein, and increasingly used by those in the gym to increase muscle mass, increase energy, potentially increasing metabolism and helping with weight loss.
Allergies/Skin Disease. This is the condition that it is getting the most recognition about. It is thought that topically applied it stimulates new skin tissue growth; great for injuries. People are finding it helpful for aging skin. In animals I believe the biggest benefits is orally. Pollen reduces the presence of histamine, decreasing symptoms. Dr. Leo Conway, M.D of Denver Colorado, reported that 94 percent of his patients were completely free from allergy symptoms once treated with oral feeding of pollen.
Immune Support. There are many nutrients in the pollen which can help boost the immune system. Dr Mercola of mercola.com claims that bee pollen has antibiotic-type properties that can help protect the body from contracting viruses. It’s also rich in antioxidants that protect the cells from the damaging oxidation of free radicals.
Gastrointestinal System – Bee pollen contains multiple enzymes which are believed to help in digestion. The enzymes help your pet break down the food properly, so they can get all the nutrients from the food.
Doses: these vary, 1 tablespoon per 100 lbs for dogs. Start with a very small dose and work up from there over a couple of weeks.
Heal Your Pet At Home!
Best Wishes,
Dr Andrew Jones, DVM
Might bee a dumb question, but is bee pollen the same as honey ?? Thanks, Tom
Hi Tom
Pure organic honey will have some pollen pieces in it, but there is a difference between the two. See more info here:
http://pollennaturalenergy.com/bee-pollen-or-honey
Hi Tom,
First there are no dumb questions.
In a beehive, both bee pollen and honey are used as food.
Bee Pollen
When honey bees gather nectar from flowers they gather pollen along with it. They bring that pollen, now known as bee pollen, back to the hive to use as a source of nourishment. bee pollen has more protein while raw honey has more antioxidants.
The pollen has less sugar/carbohydrates.
I’ve given my skunks Bee Pollen for years, take it myself as well. I just recently got a dog in a rescue situation. He is in his new forever home now. I will start giving him the bee pollen as well. He’s a big Standard Poodle and gets along with the skunks very well. Life is good.
That’s wonderful to hear! It sounds like you’ve got a happy little family there. Starting your Standard Poodle on a small amount of bee pollen and gradually increasing it is a great approach. Wishing you, your pup, and your skunks many healthy, happy years together!
Hi!
Years ago I took a lot of bee pollen and it made me very peppy! This article reminded me that I just saw raw bee pollen in a market, and will take some again! My elderly dog might benefit as well.
That’s great! Bee pollen is certainly nutrient-rich, and many people find it helpful. For your senior dog, just be sure to introduce it very slowly with a tiny amount and increase gradually over a couple of weeks to make sure they tolerate it well. Wishing you both lots of energy and good health!
Just wondering if there was a way to know if your dog could be allergic to bees which would determine whether to give the bee pollen? My dog is also about 5.5 lbs, so what would be suggested as a dose and in what form? granules?
The pollen is not related to bee sting reactions. Dose 1/4 teaspoon daily of the granules.
Dr Andrew
We have created a special gourmet blend of bee pollen just for dogs!
We suggest to start with 2-3 granules and slowly give up to 1/4 tsp. a day
Visit our website and order your Pooch Pollen today!
We also have human gourmet bee pollen blends too
Blythe Weston
Owner/Founder
Bee True Products
http://www.beetrueproducts.com
I’ve seen a lot about bee pollen for dogs but nothing for cats. My cat has terrible allergies. The vet gives her antibiotics once in a while. I’ve asked for other remedies but they have none. I’d love to try the bee pollen if it’s OK for cats. It would be wonderful to be able to help her.
Thanks for asking! Bee pollen can be used with cats, but because some pets can be sensitive to it, it’s important to start with a tiny pinch and increase very gradually while watching for any reaction. Since your cat has significant allergies, introducing any new supplement slowly is especially important. I hope you can find something that brings your kitty some relief.
Please ignore my last post. I have a 14 year old Chihuahua who suffers badly from allergies, a friend of mine knows a bee keeper and he brought me bee pollen granules,and said my dog’s allergies would clear up if I gave him some daily. I’m nervous to give it to my dog but hate seeing him suffer. He weighs just under 10lbs,I have no idea how I give it to him or how much and how often? Any advice would be helpful. Thank You.
I’m sorry to hear your little Chihuahua is struggling. Bee pollen has been used by some pet owners as a nutritional supplement, but the evidence for treating allergies in dogs is still limited, and because it can itself trigger allergic reactions in sensitive pets, it’s important to be cautious.
For a dog under 10 lbs, if you decide to try it, start with just a few granules (or a tiny pinch) once daily mixed into food, and increase very gradually over 2–3 weeks if there are no signs of a reaction. Stop immediately and contact your veterinarian if you notice increased itching, facial swelling, hives, vomiting, or difficulty breathing.
I hope your little guy gets some relief soon!
I hope someone can answer my last comment, my dogs allergies are bad
I have been reading that 1 teaspoon per 50lbs of body weight is the rule of thumb for a dog. For a 10lb dog I would use 1/4 teaspoon of granules. I use this on my sick cat, but I buy the capsules, and break them open and dump it in her food (she is in liver failure). I mix it in, as cats are pickier. She is only 7 lbs, so my measurements are not exact. I put two capsules in each can of food, and offer her different ones. I also was mixing it with water (1 capsule) and squirted it down her throat. It is great stuff, and I wouldn’t worry too much about exact measurements.
Thanks for sharing what has worked for you. I’m glad your cat is eating and I hope she’s staying comfortable.
One quick note for others reading this: bee pollen isn’t a medication, and there isn’t a well-established, evidence-based dose for dogs or cats. Because some pets can be allergic to bee products, I always suggest starting with a very small amount and increasing gradually, while watching closely for any reaction. Every pet is different, especially those with underlying health conditions.
Wishing the very best for your kitty.
Can anyone tell me how much to give my cat. He has feline leukemia and is not eating well at all. He will eat one food one day and then you try to give him more later and he doesn’t eat it. We have been putting small amounts of pureed thickened food on a spatula and putting it on the roof of his mouth to eat the last two days. Any help would be appreciated. Or where i could get a high potency liquid vitamin c.
I’m so sorry your kitty is going through this. With feline leukemia, not eating is a serious concern, so please stay in close contact with your veterinarian.
If you try bee pollen, start with just a tiny pinch mixed into food and increase very slowly if tolerated. Your main priority is keeping him eating and hydrated.
Sending hugs to you and your kitty.