Are Blueberries Good For Dogs

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Many dog owners, especially new ones, are not entirely sure what human foods dogs can eat, and you already took the first smart step to discover what fruits are safe for your dogs. We already know that blueberries are great for us, so that means they should be suitable for our dogs as well. That is not always the case with human food, especially ones that are hot and spicy. However, most fruits are good for dogs.

Can my dog eat blueberries? 

The shortest possible answer - yes. Dogs can eat blueberries, and they are a great source of natural vitamins and healthy nutrients. One of the best things about this small, blue, delicious fruit is that it is an excellent antioxidant source. It is a healthy, yummy snack for all dog breeds, large and small.

Blueberries are also relatively small, so there isn’t a significant chance of your dog choking, and if your dog loves the taste, it’s a win-win situation.

Benefits of blueberries for dogs

Blueberries are a healthy snack, and you can use them as a reward or instead of traditional, meat-based dog treats. These berries are packed with vitamin C, phytochemicals, and fiber. Blueberries are also packed with antioxidants that have a proven health benefit for both humans and canines.

Vitamin C and fiber are essential components of a healthy dog diet, and they do wonders for your dog’s digestion. Different phytochemicals have been studied, and many have shown significant results in benefitting humans. One of the most impressive benefits is that it helps your body fight cancer and cancer cells.

Antioxidants are incredibly healthy, and their primary purpose is to fight free radicals that damage our cells. This damage appears on a molecular scale, and without antioxidants, our brain will age faster. Like those found in blueberries, antioxidants help our senior dogs keep their vitality for as long as possible.

Can blueberries be bad for dogs?

Anything can be harmful if not taken in moderation. These delicious berries are packed with fiber, and if your dog eats too many of them, it can end up with a severe stomach ache and diarrhea. Blueberries are small, so there isn’t much of a choking hazard when big dogs eat them. However, if you have frozen blueberries and a small dog, that can become a disaster. Make sure that you never feed your small dog with frozen blueberries.

Well-balanced, industrial dog food often contains blueberries or traces of blueberries. Adding them in a moderate amount can have significant health benefits for your dog, but if you have a garden where your pup can easily reach them and eat as many as it can, that can become a problem. Limit the access to blueberry bushes to your dog so you won’t get any surprises.

Human food can be safe for dogs, but your dog should not eat your food, more often than not. Other than the negative psychological effects of you giving your dog scraps off the table, some foods can have highly poisonous chemicals that are to your dog. Artificial sweeteners and aromas are usually pretty bad for your dog so make sure that you never feed your dog with anything that has artificial aromas. Some products have artificial blueberry flavor, and that can be pretty bad for your dog.

One of the most important things to keep in mind when giving your dog blueberries is that you thoroughly washed and cleaned them. Processed fruits can have pesticides on them, which can be very toxic for humans and canines alike.

How should you feed your dog blueberries?

The first thing you should do is consult your vet. Whatever you decide to implement in your dog’s diet should be approved by your vet. In general, fruits should not make up more than 10% of your dog’s diet, just as they would not make up so much of ours. Feed your dog blueberries like you would feed them treats. You can use blueberries as a reward during training or add them to your dog’s usual meal as a tasty “spice.”

There are different recipes for healthy treats that include blueberries, and our favorite is

• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• 1 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp whole wheat flour
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup blueberries, cut in half

INSTRUCTIONS: Preheat the oven to 350°F, and while doing that, microwave the coconut oil until it is completely melted. Add the premade cup of whole wheat flour and mix it until it is thoroughly combined. Add one egg at a time, and after that, the sliced blueberries. Form it in a ball and roll it on a flat surface. Create fun shapes using cookie cutters and bake for 15 minutes. Cool them before you give them to your pup. Voila! Now you have a healthy and delicious snack that your dog will love.

You can always use blueberries in a smoothie for your dog, but the best possible thing is to feed them to your dog - raw.

Some dogs do not prefer the taste of blueberries and if your dog is one of them, try feeding them apples, strawberries, bananas, or peaches. All these fruits are a viable alternative for blueberries.

World Dog Finder team