Imagine you thought you were the only one going “Bananas” over blueberries, but you caught your pooch sniffing around the blueberry stash! Well, we know now you are on a mission to crack the case of “Can dogs eat blueberries?”.
The answer is YES.
But it’s time to dig out the risks of serving your pooch blueberries and fun ways they can have it safely!
Benefits of Dogs Eating Blueberries
Blueberries are gaining popularity for their juicy unique flavor and health benefits. And well, if hoomans find new fruits to love, thinking if they can share with their pooches is a common thought!
Blueberries give a burst of sweetness with an essence of tanginess, which makes them a palatable fruit for both hoomans and doggos. This is one of the human foods you can share with your dog without going nuts over the pros and cons list.
1. Packed with vitamins and minerals
These delicious tiny, tangy treats are packed with vitamins and minerals to benefit you and your dog. Besides being low in calories, blueberries are filled with vitamins A and E, antioxidants that protect your doggo from skin diseases.
2. Promotes gut health
Moreover, blueberries are also said to promote health in gastrointestinal and cardiovascular issues by boosting immunity (study).
3. Best way to hydrate
In addition, this fruit is also known for hydrating in the tastiest way possible. Blueberries are also fibrous and contain phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium minerals.
Risks of Feeding Your Dog Blueberries
Blueberries indeed bring a lot of goodness to your canine companion; however, knowing the risks is equally important to be a responsible dog parent.
Even though there are several benefits of blueberries, they can pose some risks, such as
1. Gastrointestinal problems
The same rule applies to every dog treat— anything in excess is harmful. Too many blueberries can cause gastrointestinal problems. Keeping moderation in mind is the key to keeping your dog happy with blueberries without causing discomfort from overeating.
You can give them 8-10 blueberries daily as a treat or as a side salad with their main meal. Giving blueberries to dogs in excess will not offer them all the nutrients they need. Their primary source of energy should be a nutritious meal.
Whereas, if your dog is diabetic, DO NOT add blueberries to their food menu. And it brings us to our next point.
2. Sugar content
Dogs may love sugar, but it isn’t an ideal friend. One serving of blueberries can have up to 15 grams of sugar. If your dog is diabetic, serving them 8-10 blueberries daily can lead to emergencies. Before adding blueberries to the food menu of a diabetic dog, you must consult a veterinarian.
Too much sugar is harmful to dogs, and hence, eating blueberries in limited amounts is essential.
3. Choking hazards
If your toy dog has a habit of gulping down fruits, blueberries can cause choking hazards. Although blueberries are tiny and do not create severe problems, you must contact the veterinarian immediately if your dog shows symptoms of choking or breathing difficulties.
To prevent such incidents, you can mash or chop blueberries so it is easier to gulp them down.
4. Allergies
If your dog is new to the blueberries kingdom, do not give your dog a whole bag of blueberries. Instead, give them a small amount and observe if they show any signs of allergic reactions like itching, sneezing, coughing, or vomiting.
Gradually with time, you can increase the intake and make it a regular treat for them.
5. Dental problems
Do not give them too many blueberries if your dog has cavities or other dental problems. As these fruits are sweet and tangy, and also due to the texture of blueberries, your dog’s teeth can get worse.
To prevent this, you can brush your dog’s teeth after they have blueberries, so there is no leftover in their teeth or cavities.
Fun Ways to Serve Blueberries to Dogs
Now that you don’t have to hide blueberries from your dog anymore, here are some enjoyable ways you can make boring “just picking up and having it” blueberries into interesting and heavenly blueberry treats.
1. Blueberry popsicle sticks
We love making popsicle sticks out of every fruit! Blueberry popsicle sticks are a delicious and fun way to serve your dog extra flavor and texture. All you have to do is, blend blueberries, add a few nuts if you wish to, and freeze them in a popsicle mold.
2. Frozen Blueberries
What’s better than blueberries? Frozen blueberries!
Freeze the pack of fresh blueberries overnight, and the following day, when you take your dog for a walk, you can reward them with crunchy, gooey blueberries.
3. Smoothie Bowl
If you are short on time but can’t settle for basic blueberries, make a smoothie bowl for you and your pooch! Blend a handful of blueberries (or add more fruits and nuts) and yogurt to balance the sweetness. And tada! There you have it.
You can add this smoothie to their regular dog food for a delicious punch!
4. Homemade treats
You can also make homemade treats for your dog by incorporating blueberries. There are endless possibilities of treats— cakes, cookies, crispy bites, waffles, blueberry muffins, and whatnot!
Once you are a dog parent, you will turn into a professional chef before you know it.
To serve it to your furry friend, you can experiment with recipes and add blueberries for texture and flavor.
Final Thoughts
To wrap it up, your dog can be friends with sweet-tangy blueberries. They are safe to eat, as they do not come with high risks or toxins that can harm your pooch.
Moreover, it is recommended to confirm with your veterinarian before adding anything new to your dog’s diet so that if your dog has allergies or other conditions, you can avoid the risks.
Lastly, as dogs can eat blueberries, why stop being boring? You and your dog can always make delicious and fun blueberry recipes for a “berry” happy ending to your day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, ripe wild blueberries are absolutely delicious and safe for dogs. The only key here is not to feed dogs blueberries in an awfully huge amount. Excess of any food is dangerous for dogs, as it can cause gastrointestinal problems and discomfort.
Dogs can eat blueberry yogurt but unsweetened without xylitol yogurt. Xylitol is toxic to dogs, so checking the ingredients is advisable. You can buy plain, unsweetened yogurt and add blueberries to make it healthy for your dog.
8-10 blueberries or 1-2 handfuls daily are safe for dogs. This tangy sweet combination can be addictive and bring benefits like hydration and vitamins to your dog. However, always confirm with your veterinarian before introducing blueberries to your dog treats or food menu. Moderation should be maintained, as the sweetness of blueberries can also cause problems.
None. If your dog has diabetes, you should avoid giving them blueberries directly, as it has high sugar content, which is a toxin for a diabetic dog. However, if your dog loves blueberries, you can mix 2-3 berries with plain yogurt (without xylitol) and mix them; this will reduce the sugar concentration while also giving the pleasure of these delicious treats to your furry friend.
Your dog might love a salad bowl filled with blueberries and strawberries! You can also drizzle some unsweetened yogurt to compensate for the sweetness, but otherwise, the two are great for dogs unless they have diabetes. Moreover, ensure your dog is not allergic to certain berries before serving a berry bowl to them.
