Can Dogs Eat Blueberries?
Next time you pop a handful of blueberries into your mouth, you might want to consider sharing some with your dog. Thanks to their nutritional value and small size, blueberries are a great treat for both large dogs and small dogs.
Benefits Of Blueberries For Your Dog
Blueberries are low in calories and contain high amounts of vitamin C, fiber, phytochemicals (naturally occurring chemical compounds found in plants), and antioxidants, and have been proven to improve the health of animals as well as humans. The antioxidants in blueberries help fight free radicals, which are responsible for cellular and molecular damage in dogs and humans. Sources of antioxidants, like blueberries, help strengthen immune systems by fighting free radicals naturally. As an added bonus, studies show that adding antioxidants to a dog’s diet reduces the effects of brain aging, which is good news for those of us with older dogs. Vitamin C and fiber are vital components of proper canine nutrition. Phytochemicals are linked to several aspects of health, including the ability to fight cancer in humans.
There are a few things to keep in mind when feeding fruits and vegetables to your dog. Blueberries are small, which means you don’t need to cut them up, but any new food poses potential risks. Consult your veterinarian if you have concerns about feeding blueberries to your dog, and monitor your dog closely after giving blueberries as a treat for the first time.
For more information about human foods dogs can and can’t eat, check out this list.
3 Types of berries dogs can eat!
POOCH, PUP OR TAIL-WAGGER; SOME OF THE MANY NAMES USED FOR MAN’S BEST FRIEND. THESE LOYAL ANIMALS HAVE BEEN BY MAN’S SIDE FOR OVER 20,000 YEARS. OVER TIME, DOGS HAVE EVOLVED INTO MANY SHAPES AND SIZES BUT WILL ALWAYS HOLD A PLACE IN THE HEART OF MANY FAMILIES. DOGS ARE IMPORTANT MEMBERS OF A FAMILY, AND THEIR HEALTH IS TAKEN SERIOUSLY SO THAT CAN LIVE A HAPPY AND HEALTHY LIFE. A DOGS DIET IS RESTRICTED TO NUTRIENT RICH KIBBLE TO MAINTAIN HEALTH BUT OF COURSE THERE ARE THOSE FEW TABLE SCRAPS IN BETWEEN! THIS GOT US THINKING… CAN DOGS BENEFIT FROM BERRIES JUST LIKE HUMANS DO? WE WENT OUT AND FOUND THE ANSWERS AT PAWNATION.COM! READ BELOW TO LEARN ABOUT THE 3 TYPES OF BERRIES DOGS CAN EAT…
CAN DOGS EAT BLUEBERRIES? YES!
You already know that blueberries are good for us. They’re one of those “superfoods” we’re constantly told we should have more of in our diets. Unsurprisingly, they’re also good for your dog. All the antioxidants, fiber and phytochemicals blueberries boast provide the same benefits for your dog’s body that they give yours. Try frozen blueberries make for a crunchy treat dogs love.
CAN DOGS EAT STRAWBERRIES? YES!
Berries. Is there anything they can’t do? Along with blueberries, strawberries are a nutritional powerhouse for both you and your dog. Like their blue cousins, strawberries are full of antioxidants. They also boast high fiber and a lot of vitamin C. Here’s a bonus: Strawberries even contain an enzyme that can help whiten your dog’s teeth. Keep a bag of frozen strawberries in your freezer to make smoothies for yourself, and you’ll also have a crunchy snack on hand for man’s best friend. Just don’t feed unlimited amounts, because even though the sugar in strawberries is natural sugar, too much can be bad news.
CAN DOGS EAT BLACKBERRIES? YES!
Blackberries round out the holy trinity of healthy berries for your trusty mutt, along with strawberries and blueberries. Like those others, blackberries are loaded with antioxidants to fight free radicals in your dog, and also have plenty of fiber and vitamins, too.
It is worth mentioning that not all berries are good for dogs. Stay away from cherries, holly berries, juniper berries, baneberries, poke berries, and mistletoe berries. These contain pits and/or chemicals that can be health hazards for your dog. And remember to feed your dogs limited quantities because too much can be bad news!