Are Blueberries Safe for Dogs?

Short Answer: Absolutely Yes! Blueberries are safe for dogs.

Blueberries are a great treat for dogs. They act as a good natural source of nutrients for your dog. This is a far better option than giving him or her processed treats and other snaky type foods from the grocery or pet store.

Before you give your dog any kind of human fruit, it would be a good idea to consult your veterinarian first. Your vet will have an educated feeling on how well your dog may respond to blueberries or any other kind of similar fruits. Your pet’s vet will be able to give you customized recommendations, if he or she believes blueberries are safe for your dog in particular.

Some dry dog foods sold in stores do contain blueberries or a blueberry by-product. Many times you may come across this in the well-marketed all natural dog food products that are becoming popular nowadays.

No major studies have been done as to whether or not the antioxidants in blueberries benefit dogs like the way they do humans. However, blueberries are safe for dogs.

Because blueberries can be a seasonal item, only you can decide if the fluctuating prices in blueberries are a treat worth paying for your dog. If you do decide to buy blueberries, be sure to get fresh ones only. Do not use any kind of sugar or any other kind of preservative for long term storage. A dog’s system would not know how to process any kind of added preservatives to the blueberries other than the natural elements it already contains.

Keep in mind that is best to add blueberries to your dog’s diet only after they have eaten their regular meal. You can feed your dog a little less dry food and give him some of the blueberries instead. This way you still can keep his meal proportioned without overfeeding him.

Now if you plan on giving your dog blueberries, just do not give him grapes or raisins of any kind. Grapes contain a certain acid in them that can cause a dog’s body to react in the form of vomiting, diarrhea or an upset stomach. The dog’s body cannot break down the acids in the grape unlike us humans.

Now, as always, when you have people come over – friends or family – be sure you are in charge. If they would like to feed your dog a blueberry treat, please make sure they ask you for your permission first. They do not know how much your dog can or cannot have. They do not know if your dog needs to do some kind of ‘work’ in order to be rewarded with a blueberry treat.

So, to sum it all up, blueberries are safe for your dog. You can rest assured that your dog should be okay with eating them. If your dog faces any kind of dietary restrictions, then it is best to talk with the veterinarian first to determine if blueberries are safe for your dog or not. And always, remind your family and friends to ASK you permission before feeding your pet any type of food for that matter. So call up your vet, get that appointment scheduled and see how Fido likes those blueberries!

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