It still surprises me that many dogs have a sweet tooth. We tend to think of canines as fans of the savory, the blood-soaked meats, the meaty bones - but what about desert?

No, not chocolate or candies - we all know those foods can harm your pet. I'm referring to the natural sweet tastes of nature: honey, pears and apples, succulent berries bursting with flavor. Think about it: the bear gorging on bees' honey, wolves razing the blueberry patch, your pooch lapping away at peanut butter.

We love sweets, they love sweets - it's a mammal thing.

The aha moment! There's more to fruits and honey for pooches than just taste. Consider the apple; a slice or two will clean residue off a dog's teeth, it will freshen the breath. This fruit of the gods is also a good source of fiber as well as vitamin A and C.

Now let's talk honey and why it's so good: 

1. Allergies —  It's effective against allergies due to the pollen collected by bees from different native flowers. A daily dosing of honey may help desensitize your dog’s immune system to environmental allergens, improving allergy symptoms. 

2. Wound care — A variety of wounds, including minor burns, infections, hot spots, and pressure sores, can benefit from the application of honey.  The application of honey on a wound can fight bacterial infection, reduce inflammation, and help regrow healthy new skin.

3. Kennel cough — This contagious respiratory infection can be caused by several cough-inducing pathogens, some of which are bacterial in nature. Due to its antibacterial properties, doling out honey to combat infection and soothe the throat may be helpful.

4. Digestion — Digestive issues occur frequently in dogs. Fortunately, honey is a safe, natural product that may help combat gastrointestinal diseases, such as gastritis, colitis, irritable bowel disease, and bacterial overgrowth. Honey’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties may aid traditional treatments in soothing your pet’s irritated digestive system, in addition to balancing out the natural gut bacterial flora.

5. Energy boost — The sugar content of honey can give sluggish pets an energy boost. The natural sugars in honey are broken down more slowly than processed sugars and can increase healthy levels of energy.

6. Mobility improvement —The anti-inflammatory qualities of honey can help older pets move around more easily. Stiff, arthritic joints may be a little less sore with a daily helping of honey.

And what about berries, a "superfood" we're constantly being told we should have more in our diets? Unsurprisingly, they’re also good for your dog. All the antioxidants, fiber and phytochemicals found in berries boast provide the same benefits for your dog’s body that they give yours.  And they taste great. Add a few to punch up your dog's meal and watch him gobble it down - just don't tell him how good it is!

All this to say that you can use these types of natural sweets not only to enhance your dog's meal, but to also guard and treat a whole range of ailments. It ain't just about the meat.

Treat your dog now to the sweet taste of nature!