One of the most important things to consider when taking care of a pet is how to keep it healthy with nutritious food. Although a canine’s diet should include nutritious food as much as possible, a treat here and there won’t do any harm.
However, this depends on the food you’re giving your dog, as some foods are not suitable for dogs to eat. So how do you know what to give and what not to give your dog?
Berries are a popular snack that humans like to eat. Your dog will also snuggle near you in the hopes of getting a bit of your snack.
At this point, you may wonder, “are blackberries good for dogs?”. Here’s all you need to know about feeding blackberries to your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Blackberries?
Yes, dogs can eat blackberries. However, you should feed them fresh berries containing no artificial sweeteners or preservatives. Fresh blackberries are safe and healthy for dogs.
Steffi Trott (Author of spirit dog training program) speaks about “are blackberries good for dogs or not?” She explains that blackberries are great snacks for dogs and add a lot of fibre to their diet.
So, next time you want to give your dog a sweet and healthy treat, why not try giving it some blackberries?
Health Benefits Of Blackberries For Dogs
Blackberries have many nutritional benefits for your dog. These berries are packed with many vital nutrients that are good for your dog. Here is how blackberries benefit your paw friend.
High In Vitamins
Blackberries have vitamins A & B that support your dog’s vision. These vitamins also activate enzymes that break carbohydrates. Vitamins A & B also have anti-microbial properties and reduce inflammation.
Blackberries also have vitamin K, preventing excessive bleeding in the dog’s body and the bloods ability to clot.
High In Trace Minerals
Blackberries have minerals such as calcium, zinc, copper, potassium, and manganese. These minerals support many of your dog’s bodily functions. They support the growth of your dog’s muscles, ligaments, bones, teeth, and cells.
High In Antioxidants
Blackberries contain powerful antioxidants named anthocyanins. Anthocyanins fight free radicals that are responsible for causing oxidative damage to cells in your dog’s body. These antioxidants also support your dog’s immune system.
Anthocyanins also improve the cognitive functions of your dog as it ages. According to a 2009 study, rats who ate blackberries showed improved cognitive and motor skills than rats who did not eat blackberries.
High In Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Blackberries contain omega-3 fatty acids that keep your dog’s skin and outer coat healthy. Omega-3 fatty acids also improve cognitive function in dogs and support heart health.
High In Fiber
Blackberries are a good source of insoluble fiber, which helps move food through the dog’s digestive system. These indigestible fiber components create bulk in your dog’s poop which keeps its digestive tract healthy.
Fiber also eases constipation in dogs and keeps their immune systems healthy. Half of the carbohydrates in blackberries are fiber.
Low In Calories
A single cup of blackberries only contains 62 calories, which is very low compared to many other high-calorie fruits. Therefore, blackberries are suitable as a snack even for obese and diabetic dogs.
Risks Of Feeding Blackberries To Dogs
There are risks in feeding blackberries to dogs, especially if they contain artificial sweeteners or preservatives. These will not agree with your dog’s digestive system and may cause digestive issues in your dog.
You should also avoid letting your dog explore unknown areas without supervision, as they could consume excessive wild berries which could also cause digestive issues.
Speaking of wild berries, certain wild berries are poisonous to dogs. You need to avoid feeding your dog these berries. More on these poisonous berries later.
Too much consumption of fiber can lead to indigestion, gas, diarrhea, and vomiting. It is best to give a few blackberries at a time.
There’s also the risk of choking, as with any fruit. Cut blackberries in half before feeding them to your dog.
How To Safely Feed Blackberries To Dogs
Always feed your dog fresh blackberries free of additives or artificial ingredients. Wash the berries thoroughly and allow your dog to nibble them out of your hand.
You can even mix them with fruits like mangoes, peaches, bananas, or strawberries to make a smoothie for your dog. Some dogs prefer to eat frozen blackberries, which is great to cool down your dog in the summer heat.
Another way to feed your dog blackberries is to make a fresh salad with plain greek yogurt. You can use small quantities of fruits like cantaloupe, watermelon, and blackberries to make a refreshing salad to feed your dog on a hot summer day.
Mixing a variety of fruits will also boost your dog’s immune system.
Avoid feeding your dog blackberry jam or jelly as these could contain high amounts of sugar that are unhealthy.
Feed blackberries to your dog as a snack or as a training treat.
How Many Blackberries Can Dogs Eat In A Day?
The amount of blackberries you can feed a dog in a day varies based on many factors. Firstly, you should give blackberries as a snack or treat, not as a main meal.
You can feed your dog blackberries daily, as long as it sticks to the vet-recommended daily calorie count.
Since blackberries are fed as snacks or treats, they should not exceed 10% of your dog’s daily diet. Blackberries also contain some amount of sugar, which is another reason to give them in moderation.
The amount of blackberries you can feed each dog varies according to size. For example, a Chihuahua can snack on as few as 2-3 blackberries, while a Great Dane will do well with a handful.
Always keep an eye on any digestive issues in your dog, which could be a warning that you’re feeding it too many blackberries.
What Other Berries Can Dogs Eat
Here is a list of other berries that dogs can safely eat. Most of these berries are soft, so your dog can easily chew on them. They also don’t contain any toxic ingredients or additives.
- Strawberries
- Raspberries
- Blueberries
- Cranberries
Feed the above berries in moderation, similar to how you would feed blackberries to your dog.
What Berries Are Not Safe For Dogs To Eat
You should now feed your dog the below types of berries. These berries are toxic to dogs and could cause side effects, including diarrhea, vomiting, or seizure. These berries could even be fatal to your dog.
- Cherries
- Holly berries
- Baneberries
- Juniper berries
- Mistletoe berries
- Poke berries
- Gooseberries
- Salmonberries
- Dogwood berries
- Nightshades
- Yew
- Jessamine
Other Foods That Are Safe For Your Dog
Fruits and vegetables you can safely feed your dog include:
- Bananas
- Apples
- Mangoes
- Peaches
- Pears
- Cucumbers
- Oranges
- Pineapples
- Tangerines
- Watermelons
- Cantaloupes
- Carrots
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Green beans
What Foods Are Not Safe For Dogs
Below are some other foods that you should avoid feeding your dog:
- Grapes
- Avocados
- Raisins
- Tomatoes
- Onions
- Mushrooms
- Walnuts
- Almonds
- Macadamia nuts
- Pecans
- Coconut
- Chives
- Garlic
- Chocolate
- Cooked bones
- Milk
How To Identify That A Dog Has Eaten Toxic Berries
Let’s say your dog accidentally ate some toxic berries; how will you know this? Timely action is vital to protect your dog.
Look for the following symptoms to identify if your dog has eaten toxic berries.
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Tremors
- Lethargy
- Seizures
- Breathing difficulties
- Drooling
Even minor symptoms can lead to dehydration in your dog, so it’s vital that you take it to the vet for treatment. The vet might induce vomiting to remove the berries from the stomach or administer IV fluids.
How To Prevent Dogs From Eating Poisonous Berries
Prevention is better than cure. Always check any berry-producing plant you bring to your home or garden. Double-check with the vet to ensure that these berries or fruits are not harmful to your dog.
Another thing is to keep an eye on your dog when it’s in unknown territory. Your dog might wander off to somewhere there are poisonous wild berries.
Give your dog toys to chew on and puzzles toys with treats to keep him occupied when you’re not there. It will keep your dog from chewing on any type of berries.
So Blackberries Are Good For Dogs?
When fed in moderation, blackberries have many health benefits for dogs. To reap its benefits, you need to provide fresh berries and nothing with any artificial ingredients. Blackberries and several other berries are suitable for dogs as long as you feed them according to the advice given above.
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