Can Blueberries Be Used As Dog Treats?
Can Dogs Have Blueberries?. In small amounts, blueberries make a safe and nutritious treat for dogs. You can use both fresh and frozen blueberries as treats for your dog. As with any treat, only give your dog this fruit in small amounts. Blueberries are small, and you do not need to cut them up. There is still risk, though, including choking, which can be especially hazardous to smaller dogs.
Treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s total daily diet. Just as you would with any other fruit or vegetable, ensure that the blueberries are well washed to eliminate any chemicals or dirt before you give them to your dog. Consult with your veterinarian if you are unsure or have questions about using blueberries as a treat for your dog, and monitor your dog after initially giving them as a treat. Use this list to determine which fruits and vegetables are safe or unsafe for dogs to eat.
Here at the AKC, we get a lot of questions from anxious dog owners about what and what not to feed their beloved pets. Questions range from the simple (“Can dogs eat steak bones?”) to the trendy (“Can dogs eat quinoa?”) Visit AKC.org for more “Can dogs eat…” articles to learn which foods may be unsafe for your pup, such as cherries, avocados, and onions.
Are Blueberries Safe and Healthy for Dogs?
Can Dogs Have Blueberries?. Blueberries are a delicious and healthy snack for people, but as a snack for our canine friends, most pet owners would wonder if this fruit can be shared with their pets. Good news is that blueberries are not only safe to feed to your dog but can also be beneficial in terms of health if given as part of their nutrition. Before you start throwing blueberries to your dog, it’s useful to understand how they may affect your dog’s health, how to feed them safely, and what to watch out for if your dog doesn’t tolerate them.
Can Dogs Have Blueberries?
Can Dogs Have Blueberries?. Yes, blueberries are safe for dogs! These little, vibrant berries are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can contribute to your dog’s overall health. Blueberries are low in calories, so they’re a great option as a treat that will not add up to extra weight in your dog. Blueberries are also packed with fiber, which can also help support a healthy digestive system. If blueberries are otherwise safe for your dog, use caution when introducing them. Blueberries will produce gastrointestinal upset, like diarrhea or a stomachache, if too many are consumed by your dog. New foods should be introduced slowly and notice how your dog reacts to it.
Are Blueberries Safe for Dogs?
Yes, blueberries in any form can be fed to your dog.
They’re a fantastic fruit that has been dubbed a superfood! Although it’s always best to consider selecting blueberries as an additive in reliable dog food, you can give fresh or frozen blueberries to your beggin’ buddy in small amounts. Watch out, though. Blueberries are usually small snacks, but blueberry-munching dogs risk choking, especially those that are small breed or puppies. Frozen blueberries are especially dangerous to small-sized dogs.
When Dogs Eat Blueberries, They Eat a Super Food with Super Consequences
Because of all the nutrition that’s packed into one small package, blueberries are often called “superfoods.” Superfoods such as these fruit-filled ingredients are a significant source of antioxidants, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Superfoods are functional ingredients in pet foods too. Functional ingredients provide added benefits beyond minimum nutrition when added as part of a complete and balanced meal. Fiber and antioxidants are some of them.
Blueberries’ biggest superfood boast is that they are packed with antioxidants, and this is exciting news for pet owners.
Antioxidants battle the damaging effects of free radicals, which, uncontrolled, can result in diseases like cancer and heart disease. Blueberries and other superfoods’ antioxidants can augment the body’s naturally occurring antioxidants in controlling these free radicals. Antioxidants assist in the health of the immune system and healthy skin, and have been found to aid in slowing down your dog’s mental decline. But the benefits do not stop there. Blueberries give fiber that encourages normal digestion, which is enjoyed by dogs and their owners alike. So presenting your dog with blueberries in already healthy food, like blueberry yogurt — home- made due to the fact that store- bought blueberry yogurt contains lots of sugar or xylitol, which is fatal for dogs — can allow them to indulge in a healthy snack that they love.
How to give blueberries to dogs
Now that you understand that blueberries are safe for dogs to eat, it is time to find out how to prepare them for your pet. First of all, we recommend that you purchase organic blueberries for your dog to eat because these will contain fewer pesticides than non-organic fruits.
Blueberries are naturally small and you won’t need to chop them, but if you worry about choking then you can mash them.
Some people also recommend freezing blueberries as a tasty snack for dogs to consume on hot sunny days, but this is something that we do not recommend since freezing blueberries makes them very hard and would probably cause a higher risk of choking.
If you’re at all concerned about feeding your dog blueberries, consult your vet before giving them. When it comes to your furry friend’s health, taking the cautious approach is always the wisest choice.
Now you know the answer to can dogs have blueberries. Do you want to learn more about what foods your dog can or cannot have? See what else fruit is okay or not for dogs like apples or strawberries.