Can Dogs Eat Blueberries? Yes, blueberries are a healthy, yummy treat to give your dogs. You can mix blueberries into their food or use them as snacks in place of high carb foods like dog biscuits or jerky.
Today, we will discuss the safety concerns regarding dogs eating blueberries. We’ll include expert advice on how to serve them, how much is too much, nutritional facts, and any safety hazards.
By the time you finish this article, you should have a better understanding of why many people decide to feed their dogs a fresh human-grade food like blueberries.
Why Feed Your Dog Blueberries?
Blueberries are a great source of crucial nutrients like Vitamins A, C, E, and K, as well as fiber. And they’re low in calories, making them a healthy superfood.
If you have to watch your pooch’s diet because of weight concerns, blueberries could be the perfect snack.
Blueberries a Great Source of Antioxidant For Your Dog
Blueberries are rich in antioxidants that boost overall health, the immune system, and your pet’s appearance.
This superfood has the highest antioxidation of all fruits. Your dog won’t be able to get these types of antioxidants through anything other than plants.
Blueberries prevent free radicals, which are metabolic components that build up in the body over time, causing Cells and organ deterioration. It also reduces brain aging, making blueberries great for seniors.
Antioxidants are also great for making your dog’s coat shiny and keeping your pooch’s skin hydrated. If your pet has sensitive skin, they could receive many benefits from eating blueberries.
This berry also contains polyphenol. Polyphenols are a type of phytochemicals naturally found in plants. These beneficial nutrients have been linked to an improved ability to fight certain types of cancer.
Blueberries are Good for Joints
Plus, blueberries also work as anti-inflammatory agents, helping reduce swelling and pain associated with conditions like arthritis.
Giving your pup a daily dose of blueberries can help prevent problems like joint pain and reduce the symptoms if the condition is already present.
And did we mention that blueberries can also shrink tumors and lower blood sugar? As we’ve said, this superfood has plenty of benefits for your dogs.
And they’re yummy enough to share as a snack together. Humans get the same benefits as dogs, so you should eat them too.
How to Feed Your Dog Blueberries
Your dog can eat blueberries, frozen, or fresh. The size means you don’t have to cut them up. They are small enough not to pose a choking hazard if you feed them to your dog whole.
Many dog food manufacturers use blueberries as part of their ingredients in both dry and wet kibble due to the various health benefits.
But you can add a small amount of fruit to your dog’s dry food for extra benefits. Or you can use whole blueberries as a treat. Mix blueberries together with other healthy fruits and oats to make dog-friendly trail mix or granola bars.
Blueberries are commonly used in many homemade dog food recipes for anyone who prefers all-natural foods.
Don’t Feed Your Dog Too Much Blueberries.
Although blueberries are a healthy and nutritious fruit to feed your dog, you can face problems if you feed them too much.
As with any human-grade food, the amount should be used in moderation. Fruits and treats should not make up more than 10% of your pet’s overall diet.
If you use freeze-dried blueberries, remember that they will not need as much. Mix in ¼ teaspoon of frozen, dehydrated berries into your dog’s kibble each day.
And be sure you wash all fresh fruit before feeding it to your pet so you don’t risk your puppy ingesting harmful pesticides or any foreign debris.
Some picky dogs may not like whole, fresh blueberries. If your pet avoids them, try using freeze-dried instead. These are small enough to hide in your dog’s kibble without your pet noticing.
Dangers of Blueberries for Dogs
As we’ve explained, blueberries are an excellent food to add to your pet’s diet. However, you do want to use caution not to feed your pet too much.
Be watchful of letting your pet access blueberry bushes, especially if your pet has a preference for the small, blue fruit. They can end up eating too many, causing stomach distress.
Since blueberries are high in fiber, your dog can end up with diarrhea, vomiting, indigestion, or a simple stomachache if they eat too many. While not dangerous, diarrhea and vomiting can lead to dehydration, which is a danger to your pet.
High Sugar Content
And if your pet has diabetes, it’s best not to feed them canned and sweetened blueberries, as they are naturally high in sugar. Over time, too much sugar can also lead to dental problems.
While it is safe for your dog to eat fresh or frozen blueberries, it is not safe for them to consume foods that have been flavored or sweetened with artificial blueberry.
Many synthetic products contain chemicals that can be harmful to dogs and other animals.
Transitioning Berries Into Your Dog’s Diet
If you’re preparing to feed your dog blueberries for the first time, it’s best to do so slowly. Never serve your pet a full serving of new food. Your pet’s digestive system is sensitive so they can experience distress when eating different food than what they’re accustomed to.
Start with one to three berries to see how your pet reacts. If he responds well and seems to enjoy the treat, and has no adverse reactions, you can increase the amount.
Your dog can consume up to a handful of blueberries a day, so roughly 10 to 12 fresh whole berries. It’s best to spread these out throughout the day rather than serve them up all at once.
Can Dogs Eat Dried Blueberries?
Dried blueberries should be an occasional dog treat. That’s because dried blueberries contain almost twice the sugar content of fresh blueberries.
When feeding dogs store-bought dried blueberries, be aware that some products contain additives not recommended for dogs, such as corn syrup.
Another point worth highlighting is that the pre-packed dried blueberries can also prove hard to chew and may be a choking hazard, especially for young pups.
Can Dogs Have Frozen Blueberries?
It’s fine feeding your canine friend frozen blueberries, especially on hot days or after exercise sessions. However, you must understand that frozen blueberries pose a choking threat, particularly for small dog breeds. If your pup enjoys the taste of frozen blueberries, the best way to use them would be to integrate them with other foods.
Can Dogs Eat Canned Blueberries?
Your dog may find canned blueberries more aromatic and flavorful than fresh, frozen, or dried blueberries. But canned fruits contain high sugar content and preservatives that may be bad for your dog. Avoid them to reduce your dog’s risk for obesity, dental cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease.
Can Dogs Eat Blueberry Yogurt?
Yes, dogs can eat blueberry yogurt, but there’s a caveat. Make sure the yogurt is free of added natural or artificial sweeteners. While plain yogurt is not toxic, you may want to feed it to your dogs sparingly because digesting lactose is usually a problem for them. A diet high in lactose can lead to gas, diarrhea, and vomiting issues.
You should also be concerned with the fat content in yogurt. Too much fat can cause stomach pain and/or even pancreatitis.
Can Dogs Eat Blueberry Muffins?
It’s not advisable to feed your four-legged friend blueberry muffins. The digestive system of dogs isn’t efficient when processing many of the ingredients found in blueberry muffins. Sugar, fat, artificial flavorings, and chemicals.
Your dog could suffer a stomach upset. Since blueberry muffins are high in sugars and carbs, your pup might also experience weight issues. What’s more, there’s also the risk of pancreatitis.
Can Dogs Eat Blueberry Pie?
It depends on the blueberry pie ingredients. A commercially prepared blueberry pie loaded with butter, added sugars, and artificial sweeteners like Xylitol wouldn’t be a healthy option for your dog. If you have to feed a blueberry pie to your pup, it’s safe making it at home. That way, you’ll control the ingredients that go in it.
Final Word About Blueberries For Dogs
If you’re looking for a healthy, low-calorie snack to add to your pet’s balanced diet, blueberries are the way to go. With so many beneficial properties, it’s no wonder blueberries are the highest fruit rich in antioxidants and largely recommended for dogs of all breeds and ages.
Kassidy Shepperd is the editor in chief for Canine-Prime.com. She is is a dog lover/trainer, a freelance writer and a volunteer at many pet rescue and shelter centers. Kassidy is based in Colorado and regularly writes for dog related magazines and blogs.
