By Hungry Bark | June 18, 2020
Blueberries are an amazing superfruit with tons of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They are a delicious and nutritious addition to our diets as humans. And they are actually a wonderful addition to your dog's diet too. Whether you have a small breed or large, or if your dog is a puppy versus a full-grown adult dog. Blueberries are healthy for dogs and humans alike!
Are Blueberries Safe for Dogs?
The answer is yes! It is safe and even beneficial for dogs to eat blueberries. In fact, many human-grade dog foods include blueberries because of their high nutritional value. “Blueberries are filled with antioxidants, a great superfood that humans and our fur kids can consume.” – Debbie Brookham, C.P.N.
But just remember… Everything in moderation! As it goes with all things, you’ll want to give blueberries to your dog as an added treat. Not as their primary diet. So no binge-eating for Fido. And always be cautious to give your dog blueberries in small amounts, rinsed with water, and remove all stems. We don’t want these to become a choking hazard for your sweet pup.
Health Benefits of Feeding Your
Dog Blueberries
As we said before, blueberries are chock-full of wonderful health benefits for dogs, just like they are for humans. You and your pooch can enjoy being healthy together and benefiting from their vitamins and antioxidants.
Blueberries contain vitamins A, C, and K, as well as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium. These are all important nutrients for bone and organ health, and a healthy immune system. Blueberries are low in calories, and contain fiber—which is good for digestive health.
They even contain something called phytochemicals that have many health benefits, including the ability to
fight cancer in humans. Plus, studies have shown that the antioxidants in blueberries help reduce the effects of aging on the brain, which makes them great treats for older dogs!
How Many Blueberries Can I Give My Dog?
It’s important to not give your dog too many blueberries, because it can cause stomach issues. Treats in general shouldn’t make up more than 10% of your dog’s overall diet.
If you’re not sure how many is too many, here’s a helpful rule of thumb. Don’t feed your dog more than a few blueberries—per day—for every 10 pounds of their body weight. And if you’re giving them to small dogs, make sure to stay in the room to supervise them. Or you can just mash them up to eliminate any choking hazards.
7 Helpful Tips for Feeding Blueberries
To Your Dog
Before you begin feeding your dog blueberries, here are 7 helpful tips to get you started.
- Introduce blueberries to your dog slowly, so it doesn’t upset their stomach.
- Rinse them thoroughly before you feed them to your dog to remove any pesticide residue.
- Pick through and make sure you discard any questionable blueberries. You don’t want to accidentally feed moldy blueberries to your dog.
- You can give your dog fresh blueberries, or freeze them to make a refreshing treat on hot days.
- You could make dried blueberries—they are easy to transport and make a great training treat.
- Try mixing blueberries with all natural peanut butter (without sugar or xylitol) and place them in a Kong to keep your dog busy.
- Use mashed or whole blueberries, and mix them into your dog’s meal.
As far as other fruits and veggies… Even though blueberries are safe and healthy for your little furball, it’s important to remember that many fruits and vegetables are toxic to dogs. So it’s always a good idea to check the safety of each food
before offering it to your pup.
What Fruits & Veggies are Bad for Dogs?
There are quite a few other fruits and vegetables that are completely safe and healthy to feed your dog as a natural treat. But keep in mind—just because something is healthy for us, doesn’t always mean it’s healthy for our dogs.
Certain fruits and vegetables that might seem fine are actually toxic for canines. It’s always a good idea to check with your veterinarian about safe and healthy foods for your dog’s diet. But here’s a list to get you started with both safe and non-safe treats for your sweet pup.
And remember—whenever you’re giving your dog one of the safe, yummy treats… Everything in moderation. Make sure to wash the fruits or veggies, core them to get rid of any seeds or stems, and cut them into small, manageable pieces.
Fruits Dogs Can Eat:
- Apples
- Bananas
- Blueberries
- Cantaloupe
- Cranberries
- Cucumbers
- Mangos
- Oranges
- Peaches
- Pears
- Pineapple
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Watermelon
Fruits Dogs Can't Eat:
Avocados → the pit, skin, and leaves contain a toxin that causes vomiting
Cherries → cherry plants contain cyanide, which is toxic
Grapes & Raisins → very toxic and can cause kidney failure
Tomatoes → the ripened fruit itself is typically safe, but the green plant is toxic
Vegetables Dogs Can Eat:
- Broccoli
- Brussels Sprouts
- Carrots
- Celery
- Corn
- Green Beans
- Peas
- Spinach
Vegetables Dogs Can't Eat:
Asparagus → it’s too tough for dogs to eat when raw, and it loses its nutrients when it’s cooked soft enough
Mushrooms → some mushrooms are toxic for dogs, so it’s best to avoid all
Onions, Leeks, and Chives → from Allium plants that are toxic for dogs
Do Dog Foods Contain Blueberries?
If you’d like for your dog to get the health benefits of blueberries, but you can’t find any fresh ones. Or it’s too much of a hassle to remember to feed them as treats… Just use dog food that already has blueberries in it!
All Hungry Bark premium dry food recipes contain blueberries, as well as other superfood ingredients like pumpkin, spinach, ginger, and turmeric. Hungry Bark recipes are designed to be both nutrient-dense, and delicious food that your dog will crave.
All of the Hungry Bark ingredients are ethically sourced, and can easily be traced right back to their origins. The food is prepared in a kitchen, where it is slow-cooked to preserve the nutrients of every ingredient. That way, your dog will still be getting the antioxidant and vitamin benefits from the blueberries and other superfood ingredients. But in an easy and manageable way.
For
more articles with helpful pet parenting advice, check out The Daily Bark blog on HungryBark.com.
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