Quick Disclaimer: We may always want to share our human food with our pup or try to fit our food into our pup’s diet. While it’s generally fine if a healthy dog eats certain fruits and veggies, this doesn’t apply to every dog. It is dependent on your dog and if they have any conditions. For example, high-sugar fruits can be a great snack in moderation for some dogs but not for dogs with diabetes. Always ask your vet if your dog can eat certain foods before feeding them to your dog.
Blueberries are a favorite summer fruit full of multiple vitamins and minerals for people. But can dogs eat blueberries as well?
And are blueberries for dogs safe to consume?
What are the benefits of feeding blueberries to dogs, and are there any side effects?
Let’s take a closer look.
If you’ve been wondering, “can I give my dog blueberries?” OR “Are blueberries good for dogs?” the answer is YES – dogs can eat blueberries and are not toxic to dogs.
Blueberries are good for dogs because of the high amount of nutrients and antioxidants they provide.
That said, blueberries for dogs are only good in moderation and as an occasional treat.
They should not become a regular snack for a dog, and it’s best to use them in homemade dog food meals or as healthy doggy treats for your canine now and again.
In this article, I’ll take a science-based look at how blueberries may affect dogs. I’ll also answer questions like “how many blueberries can a dog eat?”
READ: Strawberries for Dogs 101
What are blueberries?
Blueberries are a low-calorie, highly nutritious, and sweet-tasting fruit (botanically, a berry) from the Vaccinium genus.
The blueberry is a flowering shrub that produces blue or purple berries which are green at first and darken as they ripen.
Highbush blueberries are domestic to the United States, and lowbush blueberries are considered wild-grown.
They are more closely related to huckleberries and cranberries than they are related to other popular berries like raspberries or strawberries.
This is what fresh raw blueberries look like:
Blueberries have been known as an incredibly healthy food for centuries.
They are considered a superfood for dogs and humans due to the many nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants they provide.
Below, we’ll analyze all of their benefits.
Can Dogs Eat Blueberries? Blueberries for Dogs 101
So can dogs eat blueberries just as well as humans can?
Yes, absolutely – blueberries are safe for dogs to eat.
Be sure to feed blueberries in moderation to avoid any digestive upset in your dog.
One study found that blueberry extract can be healthy and safe for dogs even when mixed with grape extract (1), which was surprising to see since feeding grapes to dogs, in general, can be considered as a dangerous practice.
Blueberries are chock-full of nutrition, and these below are some of the most essential vitamins and minerals found in blueberries that are good for dogs:
- Antioxidants
- Silicon
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B complex
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin K
- Selenium
- Zinc
- Iron
Similar to many other berries we’ve already covered, blueberries can improve both human and animal health when given in moderation.
For example, feeding your dog two of three blueberries as a bi-daily treat can provide some definite health benefits over time.
Some studies have shown that in working dogs in particular (2), feeding blueberries can help with preventing oxidative damage which results from strenuous exercise.
The exact same result from blueberries was observed in human clinical trials which I talk about below.
It tells us that for athletic dogs in particular, blueberries can be very effective.
Let’s take a look at some of the scientific research on blueberries and the proven benefits they have as observed in both human and animal studies.
I’ll start with some of the most powerful plant compounds found in blueberries:
- Quercetin, flavonol that lowers blood pressure and reduces risk of heart disease (3)
- Anthocyanins, antioxidants that may reduce the risk of heart disease (4)
- Myricetin, flavonol that may reduce risk of diabetes and cancer (5)
The above three plant compounds are responsible for some of the main benefits of blueberries.
These, alongside vitamins and minerals in blueberries, in particular Vitamin C (6), Vitamin K1 (7), and Manganese (8) make blueberries one of the best superfoods.
Here’s an evidence-based breakdown of how blueberries for dogs and humans are healthy and some very good reasons to add them to your canine’s diet in moderate amounts:
- Blueberries have the highest amount of antioxidants of all foods (9, 10)
- Blueberries protect cholesterol from damage and improve heart (11)
- Blueberries improve blood pressure (12, 13)
- Blueberries protect against aging and cancer ()
- Blueberries may prevent heart disease and heart strokes (15)
- Blueberries help fight diabetes (16)
- Blueberries help fight urinary tract inflections (17)
- Blueberries reduce oxidative stress and muscle damage (2, 18)
- Blueberries improve memory and brain function (19, 20)
The above is just a brief breakdown of studies on blueberries and how they affect humans and animals.
There are about another 100 papers I was able to locate on the positive effects of blueberries, but I’m not going to bore you with those.
As you can see, there’s a very good reason to consume blueberries yourself, and it’s likely that since blueberries for dogs are safe and non-toxic, it could be a good addition to your dog’s diet.
Note that only some of the studies are done with dogs, while the majority of observed health benefits of blueberries were from human clinical trials.
How To Feed Your Dog Blueberries
Blueberries can be fed to your dog in several different ways.
If you want to make it fun for both you and your dog, here are some different ways you can feed them:
Fresh blueberries: I love them this way, quick and easy, lol.
Frozen blueberries: Put a handful in a cup and toss them in the freezer for a few hours. Pull them out on hot summer days for a nice treat. For small dog owners, these could be a choking hazard, so I’d skip this one.
Blueberry puree: I’ve never done this but you just blend a bunch of blueberries for food topping throughout the week. Every day put a tiny spoon of blueberry mash on top of their meal.
Dried blueberries: I don’t have a dehydrator, but I’ve thought about it. If you do, just use it to make your own blueberry raisins for both you and your dog to enjoy. This is not to be confused with raisins themselves, do not feed these to your dog as you can put them at risk of kidney failure.
DIY recipes: You can do a blueberry yogurt cicle for your pup. I’ve seen someone else make blueberry granola bars, be careful not to give your dog too much sugar with these treats. Or, if you want, you can spice it up with peanut butter blueberry kisses!
Can dogs drink blueberry juice?
Since blueberry juice is basically blueberries in liquid form – a blueberry extract – it’s safe to assume that dogs can drink blueberry juice with no issues, provided that only a small amount is given at a time and it’s not part of your dog’s regular diet.
While blueberry juice will have many of the health benefits of whole blueberries for dogs, it will also lack in others, in particular – fiber.
Fiber is important for many aspects in dog’s body and especially when consuming sweet fruit like a blueberry high in natural sugars.
Needless to say, it’s best not to give your dog any type of artificial or processed blueberry juices. If you were to give a little bit, make sure it’s natural and freshly squeezed.
Berries for dogs
We have previously covered several other types of berries for dogs, all of which are safe and healthy for canines to consume in moderate amounts. The same applies to blueberries, as studies clearly show some immensely huge benefits they can provide.
The four main types of berries for dogs to eat are:
- Strawberries
- Raspberries
- Blackberries
- Blueberries
Adding any or all of the above berries into your dog’s diet or giving them as an occasional treat can boost your canine’s health and overall well-being. Now, let’s take a closer look at the specific health benefits of blueberries for dogs and where they come from.
10 Potential Benefits of Blueberries for Dogs
We’ve already established a clear-cut answer to the question, “can I feed blueberries to my dog,” and since blueberries are non-toxic and safe for dogs, it may be a good idea to start giving them to your canine now and again in small to moderate amounts.
Here are the ten potential health benefits of feeding blueberries to dogs:
1. Antioxidants fight cancer and aging
Blueberries are believed to have the highest antioxidant capacity of all vegetables and fruits on the planet, as the studies mentioned above have shown.
These antioxidants prevent cellular and molecular damage in both humans and animals, caused by free radicals in the body.
DNA damage leads to aging and the development of cancer.
Antioxidants in blueberries help directly fight the aging process in many different ways.
They help prevent brain aging and improve memory.
2. Silicon for bone and skin structures.
Silicon is a mineral found in moderate amounts in blueberries that may encourage healthy bone growth and the strengthening of connective tissues in the canine body.
This mineral may help your dog’s joints remain supple and fight off osteoporosis, and arthritis as the dog ages. Silicon also promotes healthy growth of hair, nails, and skin.
3. Vitamin A for eye health
The beta-carotene of Vitamin A , which is found in small amounts in blueberries, promotes overall eye health. While blueberries aren’t the main source of it, the vitamin is still there.
This vitamin may also improve a dog’s coat and skin. On top of that, Vitamin A works to improve healthy bone growth and other bone related processes in the body.
4. Vitamin B Complex
Blueberries contain small amounts of Vitamin B complex, meaning a variety of different B vitamins.
These vitamins are responsible for critical cell functions and development, such as the production of energy to cells and the division and regeneration of cells.
Vitamin B complex may also assist in neural regeneration and growth in the canine body, as well as the prevention of bladder stone formation.
5. Vitamin C = Strong Immune System
Blueberries contain significant amounts of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), which may improve a dog’s immune system.
In particular, Vitamin C reduces oxidative cell damage, improves the immune system and may prevent cancer and autoimmune diseases in dogs.
6. Vitamin E promotes cell metabolism
Vitamin E in blueberries is an antioxidant that also produces the membranes surrounding cells, fat metabolism, and cell respiration.
7. Vitamin K for blood and liver health
Blueberries have Vitamin K in them which has a significant impact on your dog’s body.
Vitamin K may improve blood and liver health in dogs, as well as have positive effects on heart and bone diseases in canines.
8. Selenium encourages a healthy immune system
Alongside Vitamin C in blueberries, selenium may also be vital to the formation of a healthy immune system in your dog. This benefit also extends to the thyroid gland.
Additionally, selenium has been found to help with joint health, improved skin, and coat conditions, and the prevention of cancers in human clinical trials.
9. Zinc for proper metabolic body processes
Zinc found in small amounts in blueberries is crucial to the immune system as a whole, and also the production of many vital hormones.
It plays a key role in the synthesis of DNA and the replication of DNA and RNA.
Zinc also promotes healthy eyesight, strong hair, skin, and nails as well as improves brain function and memory.
It is vital to skeletal structure and collagen synthesis.
10. Iron for hemoglobin development and enzyme functions.
Blueberries provide iron, a crucial chemical element that is necessary for the body to survive.
Iron creates hemoglobin and institutes proper enzyme function.
blueberrycouncil.org
“So, can I give my dog blueberries?”
With all the above, it’s clear that yes – you can give your dog blueberries as an occasional treat, and it would be a good idea to keep blueberries in your dog’s diet.
Blueberries make a very healthy snack for your dog when given in small amounts.
It’s best to give them a few times a week and observe your dog and how he reacts to it.
Fresh, natural, whole blueberries that have been thoroughly washed are the best choice for the dog over blueberry juice, dried blueberries and especially anything processed.
The Bottom Line: Blueberries are not only safe for dogs but they are a nutritional powerhouse of a snack that provides your dog with whole body health.
2 Potential Disadvantages of Blueberries for Dogs
Blueberries are one of the few berries that have been studied and tested with dogs, and have been shown to be safe and even improve their health. Feeding these to dogs have no side effects, provided that you do so in moderation and monitor your canine.
However, when giving too many blueberries for dogs, there’s one potential adverse effect:
1. Gastrointestinal Upset in dogs.
Feeding an excess of blueberries to your dog may upset his stomach, causing either constipation or diarrhea due to high amount of natural sugars in blueberries.
Dogs with sensitive stomachs are more prone to develop gastrointestinal discomfort and irritability, which is why it’s not recommended to feed blueberries to these dogs.
2. Blueberries can be a Potential choking hazard for small dogs
Giving a couple blueberries is easy for your big dog to gobble up. But for a small dog, not so much.
For feeding small dogs just feed them one by one, and just avoid giving them frozen blueberries all together. Just so you don’t have to worry about it.
FAQ
How many blueberries can a dog eat?
As I’ve said in this article, snacks should only make up 10% of a dog’s diet.
Follow these guidelines, and you’ll be fine:
- Small Dogs (2-20lbs): 1-2 berries
- Medium Sized Dogs (20-50): 2-3 berries
- Large Dogs (50-100 lbs): 3-5 berries
- Giant Breeds (+100lbs): It’s fine to feed your dog a handful of these berries
Can A Dog Have Blueberry muffins?
No, just no. Muffins are mixed with a lot of sugar and fat and are just one of those foods you cannot feed your dog.
Depending on the muffin, there could be compounds toxic to dogs like chocolate, xylitol, yeast dough, cinnamon, and nutmeg!
Just avoid at all costs!
Can My Dog Eat Blueberries? Summary
In conclusion, dogs can eat blueberries. They are even recommended to add to your dog’s diet, particularly if you prepare homemade dog food meals.
Blueberries are scientifically proven to be an extremely highly nutritious treat with the highest amount of antioxidants of all foods on the planet.
They provide tons of benefits for the overall body and brain health, from stronger bones to a tougher immune system to preventative care against disease and cancer.
References
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