Can Dogs Eat Blueberries? Treat Tips

Blueberries are small enough to use as training rewards and are lower in sugar than many fruits. They provide some fiber and vitamins. They are not a medicine or a substitute for a balanced diet, and claims about miracle effects are overblown.

Rinse fresh berries. You can offer them whole to large dogs or squash them for small ones. Frozen berries make a cooling treat in warm weather, but hard frozen berries can be tough on small teeth, so let them thaw slightly.

• Choose plain berries, not sweetened or pie filling.
• Offer a few at a time.
• Wash to remove residue.
• Introduce slowly.

For a large dog, a small handful at most. For a small dog, a few berries. Extras like this should stay a small part of the day's food. A common vet guideline is that treats and extras make up no more than about 10 percent of daily calories. If you see diarrhea or vomiting, stop and ask your vet.

Avoid blueberry muffins, pancakes, pie and yogurts, which contain sugar, fat and sometimes xylitol or chocolate. Check labels carefully, and do not give dried berries mixed with raisins or nuts.

Note: This article is general information, not veterinary advice. Dogs differ by size, age and health, so ask your veterinarian if your dog has a medical condition, is a puppy, or is on a special diet.

Their small size makes blueberries easy to use. Hold a few in a pouch and reward quickly, so your dog does not lose focus. They are less messy than many fruits, though they can stain. They are best for dogs that like fruit, so test with one berry first.

Because they are sugary, a long training session with many berries can add up. Mix them with lower-calorie rewards.

On a hot day a frozen blueberry is a small, cooling treat. You can also scatter a few on a snuffle mat, or freeze them in a layer of water in a bowl for a longer lick. Let hard frozen berries soften slightly for small dogs, and supervise gulpers.

Blueberries contain antioxidants, fiber and vitamins, and a lot is said online about their benefits. In practice, a few berries are a pleasant treat, not a medicine. If your dog has a health problem, ask your vet rather than relying on a food claim.

A small dog can have a few berries, and a large dog a small handful at most. Because blueberries are small, it is easy to lose count. Pre-portion them into a bowl before you start, so you know how many your dog has eaten.

For toy breeds that gulp, mash or halve the berry. Watch frozen berries closely, since they are hard.

Puppies can have a berry or two, but keep to small amounts. Seniors may enjoy softer, thawed berries. Dogs with diabetes or weight problems should only have fruit with vet guidance.

If your dog gets loose stools after blueberries, reduce the amount or skip them. Check that any blueberry product contains only fruit.

Owners often assume a handful is fine because blueberries are small. In small dogs it can be a lot of sugar. Another mistake is using blueberry muffins, pancakes or cereal as a way of sharing the flavour. These contain sugar, fat, and sometimes chocolate chips or nuts.

Some owners give dried blueberries, which are concentrated in sugar and often mixed with raisins. Raisins are dangerous for dogs. Check the ingredients on any dried fruit mix.

Last, check the berries themselves: throw away mouldy ones, and rinse the rest. If your dog eats a lot and gets diarrhea, offer water and return to normal food.

Blueberries and strawberries are common berries that dogs can usually eat in small amounts. Blueberries are the easiest to portion, and strawberries should have the green top removed. Ask your vet before feeding other berries, since some are not suitable and some contain more sugar.

Wash all berries and keep portions small. Avoid berry products, such as muffins, pies, yogurts and jams, which contain sugar, and sometimes xylitol. Some wild berries and berry-like fruits are toxic, so do not let your dog eat unknown berries on walks.