Fruits are a great addition to your dog’s diet. But with that said, you still have to choose the right ones.
There are tons of fruits out there that are very beneficial to your dog’s health. However, there are more than a few fruits, particularly berries that you would want to keep away from your dogs at all cost.
And as a dog owner, figuring out what and what not to feed your dog can be hard, especially if you want to be in full control over what your dog eats. So, to help you out, we’ve compiled a quick guide with the spotlight on berries.
If you’ve been wondering what berries are good for dogs and what berries don’t offer that many health benefits, you’ve come to the right place as that’s exactly what we’ll be looking at today.
Read on to learn more.
Berries That Are Good For Dogs
Berries are generally a good food for dogs. They are nutritious, easy to find, and since they are so small, it’s much easier for your dog to digest. So, here’s a quick list of the different berries that offer a range of health benefits for dogs.
Cranberries
We start with cranberries. These berries aren’t just good for dogs, but you can consider them a superfood for them. This is because, despite their size, berries contain a wide range of different compounds that are beneficial to dogs such as vitamins A and C, manganese, Vitamin E, and Vitamin K1, among others.
On top of that, they are packed with fiber, which supports good digestive health in dogs. For more details on the health benefits of cranberries for dogs, click here to read Spot & Tango’s definitive guide.
Blueberries
Another great option for dogs is blueberries. Just like cranberries, they are a superfood for dogs with a bunch of different vitamins and antioxidants that are good for their health. If your dog enjoys the fruit, you can give them a couple throughout the day or even freeze them up and blend them into a refreshing smoothie on a hot summer’s day!
Strawberries
Another cool option for dogs is strawberries. These sweet berries aren’t just tasty and easy to find, but they contain tons of different nutrients that can support your dog’s health. However, keep in mind that strawberries are high in sugar, so to keep your dog away from the risks of too much sugar, we recommend feeding your dog strawberries in moderation.
Blackberries
Many dogs love blackberries because of their sweet taste. And if you’re worried about them being bad for your dog, you don’t need to, since these berries offer a similar range of health benefits as the berries mentioned above.
While each of these individual berries offers benefits for your dog, we recommend mixing them up to make a full and balanced meal. So, you can mix up a couple of different berries with other fruits like bananas with their food or bake them into natural treats for your dogs during training or when they’re being good pets.
Berries You Shouldn’t Feed Your Dog
Just like with any other food group, there are a fair amount of berries that are bad for your dog. Keep in mind that dogs have a very different digestive system than humans. This is why certain human foods and ingredients that are beneficial for us can be dangerous for dogs.
So, it’s always recommended to keep your dog away from foods they shouldn’t eat. Since dogs are curious and hungry animals, there’s a fair chance they will find their way into different places with stuff they shouldn’t put in their mouths.
Eating the wrong foods can spell real danger for your pets, especially since it can be hard to tell when your dog is having an adverse reaction to the food. So, while berries are a great addition to your dog’s diet, some berries aren’t as ideal.
For example, juniper berries and mistletoe berries are very bad for dogs. While different dogs will have different reactions, these berries are known to cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and a host of other symptoms that are unpleasant for your dog.
On top of that, a general rule of thumb is that you shouldn’t feed your dog berries that you won’t eat. So, if you have a batch of wild berries you found that you’re skeptical about, do not feed them to your dog under any circumstances as you’ll never know when they’ll have an adverse reaction.
Conclusion
It can be hard to determine what foods to feed your dog. But with this list, it’s a bit easier since you have a glimpse of the different types of berries that are good for your dog.
To stay extra safe, we recommend consulting your vet before adding anything to your dog’s diet, whether it be berries or other foods. That way, you get a clear idea of all the risks, potential benefits, as well as the appropriate amount your dog should be eating.
