Safe Berries for Dogs
1. Blueberries
Blueberries are a popular snack amongst dogs. These low-calorie, bite-sized treats are excellent sources of fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants. You can feed your dog fresh or frozen blueberries. Dried or dehydrated versions typically aren’t recommended due to high concentrations of sugar.
2. Strawberries
Strawberries are another popular berry snack for dogs. Along with being a tasty and sweet treat, strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin C and antioxidants, which are both essential for protecting your dog’s immune system. Their leaves are also edible but can be difficult to digest. However, gobbling a whole strawberry, leaves and all, will likely not create any adverse effects in your pup.
Since strawberries can be a choking hazard, make sure to slice them up into bite-sized pieces before feeding them to your dog.
3. Blackberries
Can dogs eat blackberries, too? Yes! Blackberries are highly nutritious fruits that are rich in antioxidants, vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and omega-3 fatty acids. Dogs can also safely eat wild blackberries and dewberries.
4. Raspberries
Raspberries are another safe treat for dogs to eat. On top of being a good source of antioxidants and fiber, raspberries also contain essential minerals, including copper, iron, manganese, magnesium, and potassium.
Just keep in mind that raspberries must be fed in low quantities because they contain higher levels of natural xylitol than other berries. Xylitol is a sweetener that’s toxic to dogs. While your dog won’t get xylitol poisoning from eating a couple of raspberries, consuming too much can lead to sickness.
5. Cranberries
Cranberries usually start appearing in the fall season around Thanksgiving. Fortunately, cranberries are safe for dogs to eat, so your dog can partake in the holiday festivities. However, most dogs don’t really enjoy eating plain cranberries because of their tartness.
Make sure to avoid feeding your dog canned cranberries and cranberry sauces, as they contain added sugars that don’t add any benefits to your dog’s diet. Cranberry juice also isn’t safe for dogs because of the high amounts of sugar.
6. Goji Berries
Goji berries are a popular health food due to their many notable health benefits. Research has linked these berries to protecting eye health, supporting the immune system, and lowering the risk of cancer.
Fortunately, dogs can eat goji berries safely. So, you can feed them a berry or two while you’re making a homemade smoothie bowl topped with goji berries or a trail mix blend containing dried fruit.
