Yes, dogs can safely eat blueberries in a certain amount. They are the perfect treat to feed your dog as a reward while playing or between meals. The minerals and antioxidants present in blueberries also have great advantages. You can also add them to different dog foods to make them nutritious.

But it would help if you were attentive to concentration and way of feeding. Below is a detailed guide on this.

Are Blueberries Good for Dogs?

Yes, the nutritional benefits of blueberries are enormous if served in moderation. Hence they are good to serve as a snack for dogs. Blueberries contain a significant amount of phytochemicals, vitamin C, and fiber and contain fewer calories. Also, the antioxidants present are healthy for your canine companion.

Benefits Of Blueberries For Dogs

Blueberries contain flavonoids that have anti-inflammation and anti-oxidative properties. The blue color of berries is also because of flavanoids. Some perks in terms of health include:

1. Improvement In Cardiovascular Health

Blueberries work to maintain the healthy function of a dog’s heart. They are useful for red blood cells and support the transmission of oxygen throughout the body. Additionally, berries prevent cell damage by preventing free radicals. Thus blueberries are contributing to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

2. Better Agility

The blueberries prevent inflammation by inhibition of lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase enzymes. They’ll also help in joint inflammation, being antioxidants. The anti-inflammatory properties will ensure the best health of joints and muscles, leading to better agility.

3. Improvement Of Memory Skills

The anthocyanins are a part of the flavonoids of blueberries. Research indicates that they’re meant for improving the memory of the dogs. The memory improvement will also help your dog to learn manners and pieces of training.

4. Prevention Against UTIs

Urinary tract infections are common in dogs are mostly painful. Luckily, blueberries can help in this regard. According to research, the berries contain nutrients that prevent bacteria responsible for UTIs.

5. Prevention Of Cancer

The blueberries also help in cancer prevention in dogs, either colon, bladder, or intestine. According to a study, some aspects of berries prevent the proliferation of carcinogens (cancer-causing cells). It will also prevent mutations and the growth of tumors.

You can reward your dog with a blueberry often to claim these benefits!

How Many Blueberries Can A Dog Have A Day?

Blueberries serve as a treat for your dog. So, make sure that you feed less than 10% of daily dog food.  The 10% rule is for all dog treats. If berries are already present in dog food, try to lower the amount in raw form.

How Can I Feed My Dog Blueberries?

You can feed the blueberries to your dog in several forms.

  • Fresh blueberries are soft and best to serve because of less risk of choking. While feeding fresh berries, make sure they’re adequately cleaned with water.
  • Frozen berries are also a good option, but they can induce a risk of choking in small dogs. So, try to feed in mashed form.
  • In summers, pureed berries can be a good choice. You can make the mixture with yogurt and serve it in frozen cubes.
  • You can also mash blueberries with other fruits and make a snack of them. Also, smoothies will work with other ingredients for the best serving.

These were some of the ideas about using berries. You can add them to various dog food recipes as per your choice.

Can Dogs Eat Blueberries Muffins?

Serving blueberry muffins to the dogs doesn’t pose any serious risk. But you need to be thoughtful in terms of the amount. Try to serve in moderation because overconsumption can lead to the following hassles:

  • They can cause obesity in dogs because of the high amount of calories.
  • In muffins, there is more sugar as compared to berries. So, overconsumption induces a risk of pancreatitis, which is painful.
  • The high sugar content in muffins also causes gum problems and issues in dental cavities.

These issues may lessen or increase depending on your dog’s breed, age, and fitness. A single muffin won’t cause these hazards. So, try to use them as an occasional treat, and you’ll be good to go.

Are There Any Risks Associated With The Blueberries?

No, berries are not hazardous except in choking terms. But there are some situations where you need to be careful.

  1. If you’re good is not good at chewing, it’ll lead to the risk of choking.
  2. Some dogs might be allergic to berries. So, be vigilant while feeding for the first time. In case of any allergy symptoms, consult the vet.
  3. The frozen berries are not suitable for small breeds of dogs.
  4. They may cause a stomach issue if not cleaned properly before feeding.
  5. The overuse of berries is also not recommended concerning the dog’s health.

Be careful about these situations, and you’ll be good to go.

Does Dog Food Contain Blueberries?

There are very few brands containing berries as an ingredient in dog food. If present, they’re great for meeting the dietary requirements of the dog. They’re referred to as superfoods because of the perks they provide.

If you’re looking for a dog food brand including berries in its ingredients, try Cherish Pet Food. With multiple food choices for pets, they provide balanced food for your pet, depending on age. The options of Playful Puppy, Amazing Adult, and Complete Cat are great to explore.

Can Cats Eat Blueberries?

Like dogs, blueberries are also safe to use for cats. Cats are obligate carnivores that don’t have much interest in fruits. The cats might not like to eat them, but the blueberry powder in dog food can help their nutrition.

The antioxidants provide the same perks as in dogs. Again, you can have a look at Cherish Pet Food in this regard.

Wrapping Up

While summing up, we’d say that the blueberries are completely safe to use as a snack for dogs. All you need is to clean them properly and serve in moderation. Also, adding them in dog food recopies can be a good idea. If you’re feeding commercial food to your, consider berries as their ingredient (for instance, Cherish Pet Food). Follow our tips to have an health benefiting experience with berries.

References:

http://dogsymposium.weebly.com/uploads/4/7/5/4/47541947/nutrition___thyroid_function_-_handout.pdf

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17492798/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29285736/#

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-blueberries/

https://www.thesprucepets.com/can-cats-eat-blueberries-4844176