Can dogs eat blueberries

Dogs are allowed to eat blueberries. Blueberries are rich in anthocyanins, polysaccharides, dietary fiber, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A, and other minerals such as potassium, calcium, and zinc, which not only replenish your dog's body with the nutrients it needs, but also increase its resistance. Blueberries also contain a large amount of pectin, pectin can help dogs clean up undigested food surimi and some harmful substances in the intestinal tract, and help regulate the balance of the dog's intestinal microbes. When feeding, you need to be careful not to feed your dog frozen blueberries, the dog's gut is fragile, cold food will make the dog's gut discomfort. Dried blueberries are also not recommended for dogs. The sugar content of dried blueberries is very high and feeding them in large quantities may lead to obesity and diabetes in dogs.

Benefits of blueberries for dogs

Many vets and canine nutrition experts have shown that dogs can eat moderate amounts of blueberries, and the fruit is now being included in many commercial dog foods and snacks. Blueberries are soft and small, and dogs are not at risk of choking. At the same time, blueberries are not only low in calories and will not cause excessive obesity in dogs, but they are also rich in vitamin C, plant fiber and a variety of powerful antioxidants. Blueberries are also low in sugar, making them particularly suitable for dogs with diabetes. 2006 saw a study at the University of Alaska Fairbanks in which experimenters fed blueberries to sled dogs as a dietary supplement. The results showed that these sled dogs had increased levels of antioxidants in their blood, which prevented free radical damage, strengthened their immune systems, and slowed brain aging, so blueberries can prevent arthritis, cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer's, and other major diseases in dogs, which is why dogs are called "superfruits".

The bad things about blueberries for dogs

Blueberries are rich in plant fiber, and in moderation, they can promote bowel movement and treat constipation in dogs. However, eating too many blueberries can instead lead to abdominal pain and diarrhea in healthy dogs, and can also cause indigestion, so it is best for owners to control the amount of blueberries in their dog's food. There are also some blueberry flavored foods on the market, these foods are also best not to easily give dogs, although they may contain blueberries, but other chemicals may be harmful to dogs, especially xylitol.
At the same time, although blueberries are soft and small, generally will not cause the dog to choke, but after freezing, blueberries will become hard, then directly to the dog to eat the risk of choking. So owners need to know how to give their dogs blueberries.

What owners need to know about giving blueberries to their dogs

Before giving blueberries to your dog, it's best to consult your vet to determine how much is appropriate based on your dog's age. Secondly, it is best for owners not to choose blueberries that have been sprayed with pesticides to give to their dogs to prevent them from being poisoned and sick, and to remember to wash them before feeding them to their dogs. If you want to add into the dog food, the owner can mash the blueberry, or cut into small pieces. Normally during play or training, owners can also give their dogs whole blueberries directly, but only if these blueberries are thawed. In the summer, to hydrate and cool your dog, owners can also try blueberry smoothies, where thawed blueberries are placed in ice water.
If your dog is heading into old age, it may be worth adding more blueberries to your dog's food to reduce the risk of major diseases in older dogs. But whether it's fruits or vegetables, diet is ultimately just a reprieve; regular checkups are the most important part of preventing disease in dogs. At the same time, not all fruits are as good for dogs as blueberries, so owners should be careful before giving them to their dogs. What fruit do you give your dog?