If you weren’t already aware, dogs cannot eat grapes. But this doesn’t mean all small, round fruits are off limits. Can dogs eat blueberries? How do different berries stack up for doggy nutrition? Read on to answer these questions and more.
Can Dogs Eat Blueberries?
You may have noticed you dog eyeing your berry bowl the last time you enjoyed a healthy snack. (Though to be fair, dogs are always eyeing food.) Is it okay to indulge your pup in a berry or two? Unlike Veruca Salt, dogs can have blueberries.
In an article about healthy dog treats, Mad About Berries approves blueberries, bananas, watermelon, apples, and oranges among the safe fruits for dogs to eat. It turns out blueberries earn more than just a passing score. They excel as a healthy fruit for dogs.
Are Blueberries Good for Dogs?
You don’t have to be a human to enjoy the benefits of blueberries. Many aspects of the fruit make them extremely beneficial to dogs. Mad About Berries credits blueberries with being full of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. With so much goodness packed into such a small treat, it’s hard not to gobble them up.
What is palatable to humans might not appeal to dogs. How do you know that your furry friend will enjoy berries? Dogs are intrigued by the combination of the sweet and tart scents in berries. This naturally draws them to the wild fruit.
Are Other Berries Safe for Dogs?
There are a number of safe berry options for your dog to enjoy. Strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries are included on the list of approved fruits for dogs. All of these berries are good options for dog snacks.
If your dog is a berry novice, make sure to introduce the new fruit gradually. Start by feeding your dog a few berries a day. First see if your dog seems to be digesting them okay. Then you let your dog enjoy 2-3 berries a day a few times a day. But good luck trying to restrain your canine around wild berry bushes.
Why Berries? Berry Benefits 101
Can dogs eat blueberries? Check. But why should dogs eat blueberries? I’ll tell you.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) recommends blueberries as an ideal snack for dogs, because they are low in calories and high in phytochemicals. This natural plant chemical is linked to human health benefits.
The antioxidants in blueberries have been proven to help fight free radicals. This helps prevent against molecular and cellular damage in canines. Antioxidants also strengthen the immune system. Additionally, they help reduce the effects of brain aging, which makes blueberries especially advantageous for older dogs.
Furthermore, blueberries provide dogs with two essential elements of proper pup nutrition: fiber and Vitamin C. Tiny blueberries really pack a punch when it comes to health benefits.
Which Berry is the Best?
Can dogs eat berries all the time? Which berry is most beneficial to my dog? It’s only natural to wonder how the other berries stack up to big blue.
Pet Insurance site Healthy Paws introduces nine summer fruits dogs can eat, with all fruits listed having their own benefits. It’s time to show some love for strawberries and raspberries!
Strawberries are an ideal size for dogs to chomp on and are perfect for your sweet-toothed dog. Wild strawberries are not off-limits either. However, you can remove the strawberry leaves if you prefer.
While raspberries are a safe fruit, their tart taste can be off-putting to some dogs. However, this berry is low in sugar and contains fiber. Raspberries also have anti-inflammatory elements. For this reason, they can provide aid to dogs with bowel disease or arthritis.
Be aware that raspberries naturally have xylitol in them. Because this sweetener is dangerous for dogs in large amounts, be sure to keep raspberry servings for dogs small.
What We’ve Learned
Overall, these many positive conclusions should clear up any doubts about the question of can dogs eat blueberries. Berries are enormously beneficial for both dogs and humans.
To show you dog that she really is man’s best friend, provide her with a berry treat. Fill a bowl with water and fresh fruit and freeze it overnight. You can put the treat outside for your pup to enjoy on a hot afternoon. You can also make your dog homemade fruit popsicles for a dessert you can both enjoy.
Just remember, all good things in moderation!
