Can Dogs Eat Berries?

Pet owners often feel an irresistible urge to offer their dogs the foods they are eating and enjoying, including berries. The problem is not all the foods you eat are safe for dogs. This makes most pet owners wonder, “Can dogs eat berries?”

Some kinds of berries are actually safe and highly nutritious for dogs. However, other berries are so toxic that they may end up suffering from various health issues, like diarrhea and constipation. That said, it’s important to learn how to distinguish the safe ones from those that can harm them.

Safe Berries for Dogs to Eat

Blueberries

Aiming to give your dog snacks with low fat and calorie content? Then blueberries are incredible options. According to PetMD, blueberries that dogs love play an important role in your canine friend’s overall health. 

For one, they can help fight diseases, such as heart disease and cancer, because of their phytochemical and antioxidant content. Other vitamins and minerals your dog can get in blueberries are the following:

• Vitamins A, C, and K

• Potassium

• Phosphorus

• Calcium

• Magnesium

Strawberries

Do you consider your pet a strawberry dog? It could be because of how fond they are of eating strawberries. Fortunately, these berries also provide nourishment to your dog mainly because they have vitamin C, antioxidants, and fiber. 

Blackberries

Blackberries for dogs are low-calorie dog treats with high nutritional value. Expect your canine friend to get a good supply of vitamins A, B, and C, as well as antioxidants and fiber, from their regular consumption of blackberries.

Raspberries

The anti-inflammatory properties in raspberries make them highly impressive superfoods for dogs. According to PetMD, raspberries also contain huge amounts of vitamin B, making them effective in keeping the number of red blood cells in your dog’s body at optimum amounts. Expect this berry to help improve cellular health and heart function, too. 

Cranberries

It does not matter if you go for the dried or the fresh variety; cranberries are truly safe treats for your canine friend. You can count on this fruit to maintain the optimum health of your dog’s urinary tract. Be careful with overfeeding, though, since it may just lead to an upset stomach. 

Berries Dogs Should Avoid

Berries toxic and unsafe for dogs should be completely avoided. These include the following:

Holly Berries

The presence of a toxic substance, saponin, is a major reason why you should avoid feeding holly berries to your dog. Consuming these berries intentionally or accidentally could be the reason for your dog suffering from:

• Diarrhea

• Vomiting

• Reduced activity

• Loss of appetite 

Mistletoe Berries

Mistletoe berries don’t just trigger severe health discomfort but can also make your dog suffer from cardiovascular issues – among which are:

• Slower heart rate

• Low blood pressure

• Ataxia

It can also irritate a dog’s gastrointestinal system due to its toxic content. 

Juniper Berries

Juniper berries can trigger an upset stomach in dogs when consumed. Huge quantities of it can also put their entire health in danger. 

Other Wild Berries

Several wild berries are toxic for dogs, so be sure to identify the ones that could harm them and always consult with your veterinarian. Some of them can even trigger poisoning and gastrointestinal issue, including the following:

• Salmonberries

• Baneberries

• Nightshade

It's often safer to avoid giving your pet berries you can't easily identify—better safe than sorry.

Health Benefits of Berries for Dogs

Can dogs have berries, given that some can be toxic to them? Yes, they can, but it's crucial to only offer safe, non-toxic, and edible berries. The great news is that berries are not only low in calories but also packed with nutritional benefits. 

They are loaded with antioxidants, which help reduce inflammation, boost the immune system, and protect against oxidative stress. Additionally, berries are high in fiber, which supports your dog’s digestive health by preventing constipation and promoting regular, healthy bowel movements.

Risks of Feeding Berries to Dogs

While some berries are generally safe to feed to dogs, be mindful and cautious, too, as these also pose some risks – among which are the following:

Choking hazards

Blackberries, strawberries and other berries with tiny seeds may put your dogs at risk of choking. Prevent this possibility by cutting them into pieces first. Keep an eye on your pet while eating to ensure that you immediately respond in case of choking incidents. 

Gastrointestinal upset and other digestive issues

This may happen if you overfeed your dog with berries. Signs of gastrointestinal upset include stomach pain, diarrhea, and vomiting. There are also dogs with sensitive digestive systems. In that case, they are at risk of experiencing digestive disturbances, especially if they have just been introduced to berries. 

To prevent all these risks, avoid overfeeding your dogs with berries. A wise recommendation is to introduce the fruit slowly and ensure that it is provided just in moderate amounts. 

Toxicity

Harmful chemicals and pesticides may still be lurking around berries, so do not let your dogs eat them right away. Wash them thoroughly first to remove any remaining contaminants in the fruit. 

How to Safely Feed Berries to Your Dog?

Follow the Recommended Serving

Remember how important it is to keep things in moderation. Even berries considered safe for dogs must be served in limited amounts as occasional treats to prevent negative effects. 

Consider your dog’s actual size when determining the perfect serving size of berries for them. Also, monitor your dog, so you will know right away if they have allergic or adverse reactions to it.

Prepare Berries the Right Way

One way to do it is to wash them thoroughly before letting your dog consume them. It is also useful to cut the fruits into small pieces. Remember that dogs and humans eat differently, so the berries you can comfortably eat may cause discomfort to your dog. Prevent that by cutting the berries into tiny pieces. 

Use Your Creativity When Serving Berries

To make the whole experience of eating berries fun for your dog, serve them more creatively. For instance, you can mix the fruits with their meal. It is also a good idea to provide them with berries to serve as their training rewards. In addition, you can offer them as frozen treats.

DIY Berry Treat Recipes for Dogs

The following are just a few simple and healthy berry treat recipes your dog will love and enjoy:

Frozen Blueberry Bites

You need the following ingredients for this recipe:

• 1 cup unsweetened and plain Greek yogurt 

• 1 cup fresh blueberries

• 1 tablespoon honey

Mix the honey and yogurt in a clean bowl until properly combined. Add the fresh berries to the mix, then stir gently, so there is an even coating. Prepare ice cube trays or silicone molds, so you can spoon the mix into them. 

Once done, open your freezer and put the trays inside. Let the mixture set for at least three hours. You will know that it’s okay to take it out if it becomes really solid. Depending on your dog’s size, serve one to two pieces of these blueberry bites. 

Strawberry and Yogurt Popsicles

Can dogs eat berries? Of course, especially if what you feed them is safe and non-toxic for them, like strawberries. Make these strawberry and yogurt popsicles, so you have ready treats for them. 

• Frozen unsweetened strawberries

• Non-fat plain yogurt

• Water

Place four to six frozen strawberries in your blender. Pour two ounces each of water and yogurt into your blender then blend well. Add water if needed to help with the blending process. Wait for a bit until the mixture becomes slightly chunky. Put the batter into a set of wells. 

Cranberry Dog Biscuits

Here’s how you can make these delicious and healthy cranberry dog biscuits. 

• 2 cups of uncooked brown rice or old-fashioned oats

• 1 egg

• ½ cup each of fresh cranberries and unsweetened applesauce

• ¼ cup dried and unsweetened cranberries

• 1//2 tsp baking soda

• 2 tbsp coconut oil

Make these cranberry dog biscuits by first preheating your oven, then greasing the baking sheet or using a silicone mat or parchment paper to line it. Get your food processor or blender and use either of one to create flour. This is possible by pulsing the brown rice or oats in them. Get a bowl, then add baking soda and flour into it. 

Get another bowl, so you can start mixing the other mentioned ingredients in your food processor or blender. Combine the wet and dry mixtures. Mix everything well. Add cranberries, then stir the fruits into the dough. 

Apply some flour on the work surface then put the dough into it. Roll out the dough. Your goal is to roll it out to about half an inch thick. With the help of your cookie cutter, form different shapes from the dough.

Now what can you do with the dough scraps, if there are any? Just collect them for cutting and re-rolling. Put the cutouts on the baking sheet you prepared earlier. Bake the dog biscuits for about fifteen minutes, then let them cool completely before serving them to your dog.

Conclusion

Can dogs eat berries? Of course, they can. However, you have to keep on reminding yourself to stay away from certain types of berries that can harm them. Choose those proven to be safe, nutritious, and healthy. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can dogs eat frozen blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries?

Yes. These fruits are proven safe for dogs plus they are low in calories and high in nutrition. They even contain anti-inflammatory properties. 

Can dogs eat blueberries every day?

Yes, but again, feed your dogs blueberries in moderation. Also, watch out for the possibility of choking. 

Are there any risks in giving strawberries to dogs?

Strawberries come in shapes and sizes that make them potential choking hazards.  This may further cause an obstructed airway, so cut the berries into tiny pieces first before feeding. A moderate amount of strawberries is also highly recommended because of their high level of sugar that may make your dog prone to diabetes and other health issues.