From improving digestive health to protecting against cancer, blueberries are often called “superfoods” due to their significant health benefits for us humans. If you’re looking for a nutritious and delicious snack to share with your furry friend, you may wonder, can dogs eat blueberries, too?
The short answer: Yes! While there are some foods that aren’t safe for dogs to eat, our canine companions can enjoy this small, flavorful fruit. However, like other dog-friendly foods, there are some considerations to keep in mind.
We talked to three veterinarians to get their advice, tips, and tricks for safely feeding your dog blueberries.
Sarah Gorman, DVM, CCRP, is the managing vet at Small Door Veterinarian.
Sabrina Kong, DVM, is a staff veterinary writer at We Love Doodles.
Rebecca Greenstein, DVM, is a veterinary medical advisor for Rover.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s FoodData Central, a cup of blueberries is 84 calories, making this a great low-calorie snack for dogs when fed in appropriate portion sizes. Blueberries also offer several nutritional benefits for dogs, says Sarah Gorman, DVM, CCRP, managing vet at Small Door Veterinarian.
Blueberries are a good source of the following, according to Gorman:
There’s substantial evidence that supports the many health benefits of blueberries. Overall, this blue-hued fruit is a natural source of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, which can contribute positively to a dog’s diet, says Sabrina Kong, DVM, staff veterinary writer at We Love Doodles.
Despite blueberries being so healthy, it’s essential to limit how much and how often they’re offered to your dog.
In moderation, washed blueberries are absolutely safe for most dogs to eat and make a healthy and tasty snack, says Rebecca Greenstein, DVM, veterinary medical advisor for Rover. She notes that if your dog is on blood thinners or has certain types of bladder stones, it’s best to consult your veterinarian before offering blueberries.
When feeding your canine companion blueberries, she says that any treat should comprise no more than 10 percent of your dog’s daily calorie intake to avoid creating nutritional imbalances. To learn more about your dog's specific daily calorie requirements, she recommends talking to your vet for individualized calculations.
Not only is it important to avoid giving blueberries—or any other treat—in excess to prevent an unbalanced diet and unwanted weight gain, but potentially negative side effects as well.
“It’s best to feed blueberries to dogs in moderation because overfeeding can lead to gastrointestinal upset, such as diarrhea or vomiting, due to their high fiber content,” Gorman says. “Additionally, too many blueberries can contribute to an excess of natural sugars in a dog’s diet, which may not be ideal.”
When introducing new foods into your dog’s diet, make a gradual transition and monitor your pup for any adverse reactions.
Feeding your furry friend fresh blueberries can be a fun way to add some variety and extra nutrition to their daily meals.
Gorman breaks down appropriate portion sizes for dogs based on their size:
If you’d like to incorporate blueberries into your dog’s diet, Gorman and Greenstein recommend:
Certain fruits, such as grapes and raisins, are toxic to dogs and should be avoided. Avocados, tomatoes, and cherries can also be harmful.
Fortunately, there are many fruits you can safely share with your four-legged friend! Some fruits that dogs can eat include:
Greenstein adds that any dog-friendly fruits should be properly washed, given in moderation, and cut into easily chewable pieces.
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