Can Dogs Eat Blackberries? Blackberry is a popular summer fruit eaten in the United States. It is preferred for pies, smoothies, cobblers, salads, and jams in the US. It is common to serve fruit eaten by humans to a dog lover’s pet. But Jay, can it be safe for our pets?
Yes, they make treats suited to your furry friend’s health. They are one of the few fruits with low sugar content, making them a healthy snack option.
Let’s take a look at why this berry should be on your dog’s menu.
What is blackberry?
There are two types of blackberry, American blackberry and European blackberry. Both are part of the Rubus genus of berries – like raspberries – and are related to the rose plant.
However, the entire blackberry (including the core) is removed from the brush when it is decided. (But don’t worry if you mix them—both raspberries and blackberries are healthy for dogs.)
Hybrid versions of blackberries are also safe for your dog to eat. Loganberry is the most common hybrid.
Can dogs eat blackberries?
Yes. Blackberries are a superfood that provides your dog with powerful nutritional benefits. You should only give them small amounts to prevent their stomach upset, as with any treatment.
Blackberries for dogs are no exception. You’ll give them a generous antioxidant boost and essential nutrients that benefit their overall health.
How much can they eat?
When giving your dog any treats, you must follow the 10% rule. This means that they should not exceed 10% of their daily calories (and for this, you should reduce their food intake). It is essential to follow this, as they will maintain a healthy weight and get all the nutrients from their actual food.
Due to trace amounts of a toxic sweetener, limiting them to a handful a day is the safest option.
Health benefits of blackberry
They are full of vitamins: A, B, C, E, and K. They help build up the immune system, so your pet doesn’t get sick, build up their energy levels and metabolism, and reduce inflammation. Vitamins are just as essential for dogs as they are for us.
They contain anthocyanins, which may help fight heart disease and cancer, allowing your pup to live a long, happy life. Include anti-viral effects, so they improve your pup’s health in more ways than one.
They also have omega-3 fatty acids, which are the key to great teeth and a shiny coat! One cup of blackberries contains an estimated 62 calories, which means they are a great treat for overweight and diabetic dogs.
What are Blackberry Alternatives for Dogs?
If your dog isn’t a fan of blackberries, switch to another berry, or choose a different fruit or vegetable.
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Raspberry
- Cranberry
Serving ideas
As with all fruits, it is essential to wash and clean the outer surface to remove dirt, compost, herbicide, and pesticide residues before preparation. Alternative options:
Blackberries can be included as part of Tasty Kong (or other treat toys) stuffing as part of treat toy stuffing.
Baked: You might want to add fresh blackberries to a homemade dog treat. There are so many wonderful dog-friendly recipes online, and you can use a fun cookie cutter shape to make homemade baked cookies.
Frozen: Placing blackberries in the freezer before feeding means they’ll stay fresh until you want to feed them. You can supply this fruit for months instead of days. It can also be mixed into healthy frozen fruit or veg popsicles to help keep your dog cool on a hot day.
Pure: You can mix blackberries with another dog-safe fruit or vegetable or a little peanut butter (make sure it’s the type without xylitol) or plain yogurt to make a dog smoothie. A small portion of it can be placed on your dog’s dry kibble. So that if they get fussy, encourage them to eat. Or it can be made into frozen popsicles or Kong stuffing.
Risks of blackberry
It would be best if you also took care to keep your dog away from the poisonous wild berries. Holly berries, juniper berries, and mistletoe berries are wild berries that are harmful to your dog. Never give your dogberries from these plants.
A real risk with blackberries is the trace amounts of xylitol present in them in terms of ingredients. Xylitol is an artificial sweetener found in some types of diet products. It is toxic to dogs and can cause kidney failure.
Your dog would need to eat large amounts of blackberries for them to develop any symptoms of xylitol poisoning.
Which Berries Are Not Safe for Dogs?
Not all berries are created equal. While some can be very helpful, others can cause various side effects when eaten by your dog.
Below are some berries that can cause vomiting, excessive salivation, seizures, diarrhea, choking, and even difficulty breathing if eaten by your dog:
Can Dogs Eat Blackberries? Are Blackberries Toxic to Dogs?
- Juniper berries
- Mistletoe berry
- Holly berries
- Gooseberries
- Salmonberry
- Baneberry
- Pokeberry
- Dogwood berry
- Cherry
Cherries are not suitable for dogs because they contain pits, which can be a choking hazard to your dog. In addition, other parts of the cherry plant are toxic to dogs, such as the leaves and stems.
Holly berries, juniper berries, baneberries, pokeberries, and mistletoe berries also carry the same risks to dogs as cherries because of their pits and chemicals.
Can Dogs Eat Blackberries? final thoughts
In short, blackberries can be given to dogs as an occasional treat but leave the wild berries outside.
When feeding them to your dog, avoid cherries, holly berries, juniper berries, and mistletoe berries. These contain pits and toxins that can be a health hazard to your dog.
If you have any questions or concerns about feeding blackberries to your dog, consult a veterinarian.
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