Are Blueberries Safe for Dogs?
Can dogs eat blueberries? Yes, blueberries for dogs are the perfect choice for a healthy snack. Blueberries are loaded with nutrients and vitamins, and they’re also protect your dog’s health. They’re not only low in calories, but high in fiber, vitamin C, and phytochemicals; all of which are essential to your dog’s diet. Vitamins C and fire help to keep your dog fit and strong, while phytochemicals can fend off heart disease and cancer.
With all benefits, they are naturally risks associated, such as allergic reactions and overdosing which are all hazardous for your dog. Fayie also has compiled a list of fruits that are safe for dogs.
Benefits of Blueberries for Dogs
This small, sweet berry is not only delicious to you and your dog, but also packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other healthy goodies!
They’re a good source of fiber, low in calories, and they contain phytochemicals and anthocyanins. All of these things work together to make blueberries a healthy snack for dogs.
Vitamins
These vitamins are found in blueberries: vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin K. They help boost your dog’s immune system, reduce inflammation, and support the proper function and health of skin, coat, muscles, and nerves. This helps increase bone density.
Minerals
The four main minerals in blueberries include calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium. They are responsible for helping with bone health and the body’s ability to use vitamins and minerals more efficiently.
Phytochemicals
Plants contain chemical compounds linked to loads of health benefits for both humans and dogs. Phytochemicals studies has been proven to assist in fighting cancer while reducing inflammation in chronic diseases.
Antioxidants
The blueberry is best known for its antioxidant properties. It has an integral part in both human and animal diets and protects cells from damage. Because it fights free-radicals, it slows down the aging process.
A study has shown that sled dogs that are fed blueberries after vigorous activity recover more quickly. As we all know, active dogs do not have to slow down as they get older. They maintain a high quality of life as they age thanks to the antioxidant properties of blueberries.
Anthocyanins
The anthocyanins in blueberries are responsible for the color blue/purple of blueberries. They are responsible for lowering the risk of heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, and cancer.
Risk of Blueberries for Dogs
Blueberries Overdose
Just like banana and most fruits, blueberries still contain sugar content. This means, you would need to be careful on the daily intake as too many blueberries at once is dangerous for your dog, which can result in digestive upset or cavities. Depending on your dog size and breed, your dog may only be able to eat a few blueberries at a time.
Canned Blueberries
Never give your dog canned blueberries or any other fruit in general, and only give them fresh ones in moderation. Fresh fruit is good for dogs but canned, sugared, and packed in syrup far from safe and healthy. Canned food usually have added preservatives or sweeteners that are toxic to dogs and pets.
Blueberries in Sweets
It is always recommended to never buy blueberries treats and sweets for your dog. Not only they can be potentially made with canned blueberries, they often have added sweeteners which which also is dangerous for your dog.
As a rule of thumb, you should never feed your dog, dog sweets or baked pastries with or without fruits. Treats like these are dangerous to them.
Choking Hazard
Blueberries are not soft but still easy to chew, due to their small size, this still may present a choking hazard. When you have a dog who enjoys swallowing food as a whole as opposed to chewing, this risk magnifies intensity. Instead to minimize any risk, you should always softly squeeze the fresh blueberries to test if they are too hard to be chewed before feed them to your dog in that form.
Allergic Reactions
Just as with any kind of food, it’s possible for your dog to be allergic to blueberries. Allergic reactions aren’t common, but they can happen. If you notice any kind of adverse reaction after giving your dog blueberries, give your veterinarian a call immediately.
How to Safely Feed Blueberries to Your Dog
Fresh
Fresh blueberries are the best way to feed it to your dog, don’t cook them in a microwave or oven, just serve raw after wash the berries and inspect them for mold before giving them to your dog.
Frozen
Frozen blueberries make a delicious snack for dogs, especially small breed dogs. However, they can be a choking hazard especially for smaller dogs or dogs that loves to swallow without chewing. You can thaw them out and mash them prior to giving them to your dog.
Mashed
Mashed blueberries are a perfect way to include them in your dog’s food. You may also mix them in with other berries like strawberries, raspberries, or blackberries for the additional berry boost!
Pureed
Pureed berries added to yogurt or coconut water. Put the mixture in ice cube trays and freeze for a hydrating snack on summer days. Blueberries are very versatile, and dogs eagerly accept them. You can give the berries to your dog frozen, dried, mashed, or fresh. In fact, purred berries and yogurts are excellent for your dog. Freeze them with cubes to provide a hydrating snack on summer days.
