You may ask yourself, can dogs eat raspberries? It’s such a small berry that surely one or two wouldn’t hurt, right? The answer is yes. Dogs can eat raspberries. However, these tiny berries pack a punch and should only be given to your pup in moderation.
While raspberries do have a good amount of health benefits for your pooch, they can also make your doggo feel under the weather. This is why raspberries should be given to your dog in small quantities and only once in a while.
What happens when you feed raspberries to dogs?
Raspberries are a nutritious snack for humans and dogs alike. Plus, they’re tasty. Your pup will surely enjoy this quick treat. What they won’t realize is the nutritional value a couple of raspberries can do to do for them.
Health benefits of raspberries for dogs
Dogs don’t need to eat fruit because their commercial dog food will have all the nutrients they need to thrive. However, a small berry here and there will be a nice treat for your pooch. Plus, it’s healthy for them too.
Raspberries contain many health benefits for dogs, such as:
- Antioxidants
- Minerals (such as potassium, manganese, copper, folic acid, iron, and magnesium)
- Vitamin B-complex
- Vitamin C
- Dietary fiber
- Vitamin K
In other words, raspberries are great for your dog’s digestive system and will help fight obesity. These berries are low in sugar and low-calorie, making them a perfect quick snack. In addition, raspberries have powerful antioxidants that will reduce heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and arthritis.
What to watch out for when feeding raspberries to dogs
Even though this berry is low in sugar, it does contain a natural sugar called xylitol. This is a sweetener that’s toxic to dogs. The good news is that for your dog to get sick, they would need to eat about 32 cups of raspberries. So, it’s small traces of xylitol, but that doesn’t mean you should give your dog many raspberries.
A dog’s diet should be about 90% of their commercial dog food and 10% of anything else, such as healthy human food that’s good for them or the occasional treat. Too many raspberries can cause your dog to get an upset stomach which is why it’s recommended to only give a couple of raspberries at a time during the week. Otherwise, your dog may end up with diarrhea, constipation, or vomiting.
How to serve raspberries to your dog
Remember to only give your dog no more than a cup of raspberries at a time and in moderation. To do this, though, you can give your pup raspberries in a few different ways. For one, you can feed your dog fresh, organic raspberries. Wash the berries first, and then toss a couple of them to your pooch.
Alternatively, you can freeze raspberries as a quick, cool treat in the summer. You can also blend raspberries (with or without other ingredients) and puree them into ice cubes. Then your doggo can have a flavored, cool snack on a hot day. No matter how you decide to feed your pooch raspberries, make sure, they’re fresh.
Can dogs eat canned raspberries?
It’s best to stay away from canned raspberries. These berries already contain natural sugar that can make your dog sick, which is why they can only have a few fresh berries at a time. Canned raspberries often have added sugar and other ingredients that aren’t safe for your dog to eat. In addition, they’re usually coated in syrup that isn’t healthy for dogs either. Fresh raspberries you buy from the store or grow yourself will always be the way to go.
If you’re thinking of some creative ways to feed your dog raspberries, then you can check out some of the recipes listed below.
- Banana and Raspberry Dog Biscuits
- Chicken and Raspberry Dog Treats Recipe
- Frozen Dog Treats: Peanut Butter Berry Pops
- Raspberry Pumpkin
Can dogs eat raspberries? Absolutely!
Whether you’re eating a salad or picking food from the garden, your dog will most likely be by your side with bells on. They want to share whatever snack you’re having, so why not make it a healthy treat?
You can toss a raspberry to your pooch while you’re eating, or you can wash and prepare a couple of berries to add on top of your dog’s food. As long as you give these berries to your pup in moderation and they don’t expect to eat raspberries often as a habit, then this will be a sweet, healthy treat for them.
As always, be sure to check in with your dog’s veterinarian before trying new foods with your pooch. Your doggo will thank you later!
Similar reading: what other berries can dogs eat?
