As a dog owner, it’s natural to have concerns about your pet’s diet. You want your dog to eat well so they can be healthy and strong. However, you also want them to enjoy the food they eat and have variety, so they don’t get bored.
You might be considering adding fruits or other human foods to your dog’s diet to keep things interesting. But is this safe?
You should always check with your veterinarian before introducing human foods to your pet’s diet. Some fruits, such as grapes and raisins, are definitely harmful to dogs, as they can cause kidney failure.
But what about blueberries? Can your dog safely reap the benefits of this nutrient-rich superfood? Should any precautions be taken when giving blueberries to your dog?
Read on to learn all you need to know about incorporating this nutritious berry into your dog’s regular diet.
Can Dogs Eat Blueberries Safely?
Yes, indeed they can! Blueberries do not contain anything harmful or toxic to dogs.
Many dog food manufacturers use blueberries as an ingredient in their kibble mixes.
However, there are some things to watch out for when feeding blueberries to your dog:
Keep Allergies in Mind
For one thing, dogs can sometimes be allergic to new foods. So after you begin introducing blueberries into their diet, keep an eye out to see if they have an allergic reaction. If this is the case, speak to your veterinarian and consider other dietary options.
Prevent Choking
Even though they are not toxic to dogs, blueberries do present a potential choking hazard due to their small size.
Dogs tend to eat without chewing, which means that the likelihood of them choking on small foods is fairly high.
Frozen blueberries can present a significant choking hazard, especially to small dogs, since they are difficult to chew. Fresh blueberries are a safer option, or the frozen ones can be thawed out and mashed to reduce the risk.
This fruit’s small size also means that dogs can eat a large amount of them very quickly. This not only creates a choking hazard but can also lead to stomach aches. Be sure to supervise your dog and moderate their diet.
Avoid Complex Foods
Do not feed your pet baked goods or prepared humans foods that contain blueberries, or any artificially flavored blueberry products, as these are usually harmful to dogs.
