Can Dogs Eat Blueberries?

Blueberries are the most nutritious, delicious, and bite-sized fruit for humans, but when it comes to dogs, pet parents often wonder, is this fruit even safe to share with dogs? To your surprise, blueberries are not only a safe fruit to feed your dogs, but they also come with various health benefits.

If you are one of those pet parents who want to know: can dogs have blueberries? And if yes, how many blueberries can a dog have? This guide is for you. In this informative piece of writing by a Pet Life Expert, you’ll get to know: Are blueberries safe for dogs? How can you feed them? And how many blueberries can dogs eat? So, let’s get started!

Are Blueberries Good for Dogs?

Are blueberries safe for dogs to eat? Are you the one looking answer to this question? We’ve got you. Blueberries are not only a safe fruit for puppies and dogs, but they also provide extraordinary nutritional benefits. These berries are packed with rich minerals, vitamins, and as well as antioxidants.

A rich anti toxin boasting fruit known for its excellent disease-fighting properties, like phytochemicals, blueberries are the best fruit to serve to your dog. This fruit can fight against some potential diseases like cancer and diarrhea. Some additional benefits of feeding blueberries to dogs are:

• Low in calories, High in fiber
• Rich in antioxidants
• Improves night vision
• Prevents cell damage
• Promotes mental function

What are Essential Minerals and Vitamins in Blueberries?

Blueberries are the healthy treats for dogs that are rich in minerals and vitamins. For overall health and well-being of your dogs, essential nutrients play an important role to improve immunity support, healthy metabolism, and cell and bone development. Here’s the list of vitamins and minerals in blueberries:

• Calcium
• Potassium
• Magnesium
• Phosphorus
• Vitamin A, C, K
• Iron
• Zinc
• Fibers

Are Blueberries Bad for Dogs?

Blueberries are not harmful for most dogs, whether small, medium, or senior. So, those who are concerned: can dogs eat blueberries​? Yes! Your dogs can have blueberries. Compared to other fruits like strawberries and bananas, you can safely give blueberries to your pups.

However, dogs with diabetes, food allergies, and on a prescription, diet should eat this fruit in moderation. Also, it should only be served as the small part of their diet, only 10% of dog’s daily calorie intake is enough for dogs. Some drawbacks of eating blueberries are:

Stomach Upset

Anything with sugar cannot be excessively served, particularly to dogs, because it can negatively impact your dog’s health. Excess of any food containing sugar can be bad for your dog’s stomach. Serve actual berries and avoid wild berries, like salmonberries, as they can be toxic for dogs.

Choking Risks

Although blueberries are small in size, yet they can cause a potential issue when eaten too quickly and too much. Therefore, avoiding giving its excessive amount to small dogs is not advised. Ensure giving blueberries to your dogs with your hands.

How Many Blueberries Can a Dog Eat?

Struggling to find, can dogs eat blueberry every day​? Or how many blueberries can a dog eat per day? Know that, undoubtedly, blueberry is considered the safest, nutritious, and healthiest fruit a dog can eat, but treats like this must not be a part of their regular diet.

Only 10% is advised to give them out of 100% of your dog’s diet. It is always recommended to get proper vet consultation and nutritionist guidelines. Also, understand the safe serving amount depending on your dog’s age, size, and overall health. Let us guide you with the total serving number of blueberries for dogs. 

Dog Size	Serving Amount
Extra Small Dog/Puppy (2–20 Pounds)	1–2 blueberries
Small Dog (21–30 Pounds)	2–3 blueberries
Medium-sized Dog (31–50 Pounds)	3–5 blueberries
Large Dog (51–90 Pounds)	5–6 blueberries
Extra-large Dog (91+ Pounds)	A small handful of blueberries

Now you know how often dogs can eat blueberries. If you want to give your dog blueberries and are concerned about their health, you should instantly consult with a pet life veterinarian. Immediately seek a vet’s assistance upon noticing these signs.

• Exhaustion/Fatigue
• Acting Depressed
• Loss of Appetite
• Vomiting or Diarrhea
• Looking Uncomfortable
• Blood in Vomit
• Gulping or licking lips, air, or objects

You May also interested in: Can Dogs Eat Strawberries?

How to Safely Feed Blueberries to Dogs?

Although it’s not dangerous, giving blueberries to dogs requires careful consideration to ensure your dog’s safety. Here’s the breakdown of preparing blueberries to serve to your pup.

Wash Thoroughly

Remove any pesticide or dirt by washing blueberries under clean running water, ensuring hygiene and quality.

Buy Fresh/ Frozen

Although both frozen or fresh are dog friendly, however, frozen blueberries are refreshing and cool on hot days.

Initiate Small

When it’s the first time of you giving blueberries to dogs, start giving in a small amount, like offering them only 2-3.

Ensure Moderation

Blueberries are safe, though, but treat them as an occasional treat and follow moderation rule per recommended amount.

Choking Risks

To avoid any potential intestinal and choking risks, it is advised to give mashed blueberries to puppies and small dogs.

Monitor Behavior

After feeding blueberries, observe your dog for any signs of digestive upset, allergies, or any other sensitivity trigger.

Vet Consultation

Regarding any concerns about feeding blueberries, consult a professional nutritionist or vet for personalized advice. 

What are Potential Risks of Feeding Blueberries to Dogs?

Blueberries are generally the safest choice for dogs, however, there are various risks involved in feeding blueberries to dogs without any prescriptions, which are as follows:

Ingestion Hazard

Small dogs who eat quickly, blueberries can be a choking hazard for them. Next, monitor your dog’s when they are eating and consider chopping or mashing if they seem to choke.

Allergic Reactions

Examine your dog for allergic reactions like diarrhea, lethargy, vomiting, and itching because there might be a possibility of your dog getting triggered if feeding guidelines aren’t followed.

Digestive Upset

Blueberries are fiber-rich, which can cause stomach or digestive upset in dogs when excessively fed. So, start slowly and increase the amount based on how your dog tolerates them.

Overfeeding Issue

Another problem is overfeeding blueberries to dogs, which can result in digestive issues and weight gain. Blueberries should only make a 10% of your dog’s overall diet to ensure safety.

Types of Berries Safe for Dogs

Have a question? What berries are safe for dogs? Here’s the answer:

• Blackberries
• Cranberries
• Raspberries
• Strawberries

Types of Berries Toxic for Dogs?

Want to know about berries bad for dogs? Here are some options:

• Grapes
• Wild Berries
• Salmonberries
• Holly Berries

Concluding Thoughts!

Blueberries stand out as a healthy, nutritious, and fresh treat for most of the dogs because it is packed with vital vitamins like C and K, rich antioxidants, and dietary fibers. Wondering: can my dog eat blueberries? Yes! Blueberries are a safe fruit for dogs to eat when served moderately, ensuring better immunity and healthy digestion. Begin with a small quantity, wash thoroughly, and serve in chunks. Also, avoid processed blueberries that might contain xylitol, added sugar, and other harmful ingredients. The best thing is to consult a vet before giving blueberries to your dog.

You may also like: Can Dogs Eat Apples? Tips to Safely Feed Apple to Dogs

FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions