If your pup is eyeing your bounty of blueberries, you’ll be happy to learn you can share this summer berry. The amount of blueberries they can eat will depend on their size, but dogs can eat blueberries safely.
Blueberries make a nutritious snack for dogs, as long as you feed your dog blueberries in moderation, says Dr Cheri Honnas, DVM and veterinary advisor for Bone Voyage Dog Rescue.
“Blueberries contain beneficial nutrients like vitamin C for immune health, fibre for digestion, and antioxidants for cellular protection,” says Dr Honnas. “The vitamins and antioxidants may help maintain cognitive function in ageing dogs as well.”
We consulted several vets to learn more about the benefits of blueberries for dogs. Here’s how this superfood can play a role in your pup’s balanced diet, plus a few dog-approved recipes!
Do Blueberries Have Benefits For Dogs?
Blueberries also make a considerably healthy snack for dogs, says Dr Renee Streeter, DVM, DACVIM, a veterinary nutritionist with BSM Partners. “They are low in calories, high in water, contain fibre, and have antioxidant activity,” she says.
Top nutrients in blueberries include:
- Vitamin C. Vitamin C benefits the immune system and helps relieve inflammation. One serving of blueberries for a medium-sized dog (about two tablespoons) contains approximately 1.8 milligrams of vitamin C. A dog’s liver can synthesise its own vitamin C, but dogs still benefit from the boost that blueberries provide.
- Vitamin K. A serving of blueberries contains about 3.6 micrograms of vitamin K. This fat-soluble vitamin plays a role in blood clotting and helps prevent anaemia.
- Antioxidants. Blueberries are also packed with antioxidants that fight free radicals in the body, says Dr Candy Akers, DVM, a holistic veterinarian and owner of Journeys Holistic Life. “Free radicals can cause cellular damage, which may lead to various diseases. The antioxidants in blueberries can help prevent this damage.”
- Phytochemicals. Blueberries contain a lot of phytochemicals. “These can offer anti-inflammatory benefits, which might help with conditions like arthritis in older dogs,” Dr Akers says.
- Dietary fibre: Fibre is essential for maintaining a balanced gut and healthy digestion. A dog-sized serving of blueberries offers 0.3 grams of dietary fibre, which helps prevent constipation and diarrhoea in dogs.
Can dogs eat the whole blueberry?
Dogs can safely eat all parts of the berry. “The flesh and skin of the blueberry are where most of the nutrients are found, so they’re not only safe but also beneficial,” Dr Akers says.
Just avoid letting dogs eat blueberry stems, which are tough and hard to digest. Generally, blueberries sold in stores come without stems. If you’re picking fresh blueberries, you can remove the stems and leaves from the berry before giving it to your dog.
How Many Blueberries Can I Feed My Dog?
The amount of fruit dogs can eat will depend on their size and daily calorie needs.
Most dogs tolerate blueberries well, but too much fruit may increase the risk of loose stool, Dr Streeter says. She offers the serving sizes in the chart below as a general guideline.
Dog size | Daily limit |
---|---|
Toy dogs | < 1 tablespoon (tbsp) |
Small dogs | 1 tbsp |
Medium dogs | 2 tbsp |
Large dogs | ¼ cup (4 tbsp) |
Keep in mind, too, that dogs should get no more than 10% of their daily calories from treats—including blueberries—each day. Since larger dogs have a higher calorie allowance, they can eat more blueberries as part of that 10% limit.
Even though blueberries are nutrient-rich, Dr Akers reminds dog parents to practice moderation. “Blueberries should still only be given as an occasional treat and not as a significant portion of your dog’s diet.”
Do Blueberries Pose Any Risks For Dogs?
For the most part, blueberries are safe for dogs, but you’ll want to keep a few safety considerations in mind.
For starters, it’s important to pay attention to portion size. “Too many blueberries at once could lead to digestive upset,” says Dr Akers.
A blueberry’s small size, and the stem, can also present a choking hazard, especially for smaller dogs.
Dogs are rarely allergic to blueberries, but this allergy is still possible. When giving your dog blueberries for the first time, Dr Honnas and Dr Akers agree it’s best to start with a small portion of just a few berries.
“This allows you to monitor your dog for any signs of digestive upset or allergic reactions,” Dr Akers says.
Signs of an allergic reaction can include:
- diarrhoea
- vomiting
- skin irritation or redness
- scratching and other signs of itchiness
Typically, reactions will show up within a few hours to a day after eating. “If you see anything a bit off, stop the berries and call your vet just to be safe,” Dr Honnas says. “It never hurts to be extra careful when adding new stuff to your dog’s diet.”
If your dog doesn’t show any reactions after 24 hours, you can slowly increase the serving size.
In some cases, the reaction may result from pesticides or chemicals on the fruit, not the blueberry itself, Dr Akers says. You can lower the chances of a reaction by washing blueberries thoroughly or choosing organic fruit to reduce the risk of pesticide exposure.
3 Blueberry Recipes For Dogs
For an easy snack, you can simply serve your dog blueberries raw and plain—but if you have some time, you can also bake up some blueberry dog treats.
Here are three dog-approved blueberry recipes:
Blueberry oat scones
Ingredients and equipment:
- 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
- 1 1/2 cups flour (we used whole wheat)
- 2 teaspoons (tsp) baking powder
- ⅓ cup coconut oil, softened
- ¼ cup plain yoghurt
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup dried or fresh blueberries
- 2 parchment-lined baking sheets
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Spread oats out onto a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Toast the oats for 10 minutes and let cool before using.
- Increase oven temperature to 450°F (230°C).
- In the bowl of a food processor combine flour, toasted oats, and baking powder. Pulse a few times.
- Add in the coconut oil and pulse until it becomes pea-sized.
- Mix in the yoghurt, milk, egg, and vanilla and pulse just to combine, then add the dried blueberries.
- Turn out onto a floured board and divide the dough into four sections.
- Pat each section into a round, then place two rounds on each cookie sheet.
- Score each round into eight slices.
- Bake for 12 minutes or until just starting to brown around the edges.
Blueberry dog biscuits
Recipe from Dr Akers
Ingredients:
- 2 cups whole wheat flour (or use coconut flour or oat flour if your dog is sensitive to wheat)
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 cup plain, unsweetened yoghurt (make sure it has no added xylitol or other sweeteners)
- 1/2 cup water (or unsalted chicken broth for added flavour)
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1 large egg
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- In a large bowl, mix the flour, rolled oats, and baking powder.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the yoghurt, water (or chicken broth), and egg until smooth.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing well until the dough starts to come together.
- Gently fold in the blueberries.
- Turn out the dough onto a floured surface and roll out to about 1/4-inch thickness. You can use a cookie cutter to cut out the biscuits, or you can shape them into small balls and flatten with your palm.
- Place the biscuits on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until they are golden brown and crisp.
- Remove from the oven and let the biscuits cool completely on a wire rack.
Store in an airtight container. They should last for about a week but always check for signs of spoilage before giving them to your dog.
Frozen blueberry treats
Recipe from Dr Honnas
Ingredients:
- 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
- 1 cup plain, unsweetened yoghurt (make sure it has no added xylitol or other sweeteners)
- 1 tbsp honey (optional)
Instructions:
- Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour the mix into ice cube trays or silicone moulds and freeze for at least four to six hours.
- Then pop them out and let your pup enjoy these refreshing frozen treats!