Blueberry is a small sweet berry that grows in clusters on North American shrubs. Fruits and vegetables are always healthy and play a major role in weight loss. But are they also healthy for dogs, including blueberries? If you have ever wondered whether or not dogs can eat blueberries. Then, yes, you can give your dog blueberries but don’t forget the rule of moderation. Blueberries provide several health benefits to dogs. Let’s see what they are?
What Are The Benefits Of Feeding Blueberries?
You can feed your dog blueberries but not on a regular basis. The berries provide several health benefits, including vitamins, minerals, and other antioxidants. They are low in calories and high in nutrients. They are also high in fiber and contain phytochemicals and anthocyanins. Hence, making themselves good for dogs to live a long and healthy life. It contains the following components:
1. Minerals
Blueberries contain minerals like calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium, which support bone growth and the body’s ability to use minerals and vitamins in a more efficient manner. It also contains a compound called Phytochemicals. These are basically those chemical compounds present in plants. These chemicals are related to lots of health benefits for humans as well as dogs. Many studies have shown that these chemicals fight cancer and decrease inflammation in chronic diseases.
2. Vitamins
One small blueberry contains vitamins like Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin K. Now, what do all these vitamins do? These vitamins work on boosting your dog’s immune system and reduce inflammation. They also support the proper functioning and quality of the skin, coat, fur, nerves. Along with these, they increase the bone density of your dog.
3. Antioxidants
Antioxidants are an important part of both humans’ and dogs’ diets, and blueberries carry them in good amounts. Antioxidants fight free radicals that damage cellular and molecular functioning. Many scientific studies have shown that antioxidants reduce the aging process in senior dogs.
4. Anthocyanins
This component is responsible for the blue and black color of the blueberries. They contribute to lowering the risk of heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, and cancer.
Blueberries are full of health benefits and have forced the producers to include them in dog foods. So, you can feed your dog blueberries without any tension.
Blueberries Nutrients Facts
| Nutrients | Values (one cup) |
|---|---|
| Fiber | 4 grams |
| Vitamin C | 24% |
| Vitamin K | 36% |
| Manganese | 25% |
| Water | 85% |
| Calories | 84 calories |
| Carbohydrates | 15 grams |
How Can You Feed Your Dog Blueberries?
There are several ways in which you can give your dog blueberries. But you should know which is the safest way to give your dog blueberries. Some of them are:
Dogs are given fresh blueberries, most often in their raw form. Its recommended to rinsing blueberries in the water while preparing fresh blueberries. The fruit is soft, so there is no risk of choking hazards. Just remember to inspect for any moldy berries before giving them to your dog.
Frozen blueberries are not safe for dogs as they pose a risk of choking, especially in puppies. But you can thaw them out and mash them before giving them to your dog. If we talk about adult dogs, they also need to be supervised when they eat blueberries so as to avoid the risk of choking. If the berries are frozen, it’s best to give just one or two berries.
Mashed blueberries are a splendid way to add them to your dog’s bowl. If the berries are mashed, you can add them with any food and even with other berries like strawberries, raspberries, or blackberries for a nutritional punch.
If you are tempted to give the berries in the pureed form, then you can add the puree to the yogurt or coconut water. After that, put the mixture in ice cube trays and freeze them to make a hydrating snack during summer days.
Blueberries are versatile in nature, and dogs are always tempted to accept them. You can give the berries in fresh, frozen, mashed, and pureed form. You can also mix them with other fruits and vegetables and make new and delicious food out of them. But make sure that the new food that you are going to make should not contain any harmful ingredients.
Conclusion
Blueberry is a small sweet berry that grows in clusters on North American shrubs. You can feed your dog blueberries but not on a regular basis. The berries provide several health benefits, including vitamins, minerals, and other antioxidants. They are low in calories and high in nutrients. They are also high in fiber and contain phytochemicals and anthocyanins. Hence, making themselves good for dogs to live a long and healthy life. Blueberries are versatile in nature, and dogs are always tempted to accept them. You can give the berries in fresh, frozen, mashed, and pureed form. The best option is to give dogs fresh berries or mashed berries so that you can add them with other berries and fruits like raspberries, cranberries, strawberries, etc., and can make delicious smoothies to keep your dog hydrated during summer days.
Apart from Blueberries that are many other fruits that dogs can eat safely.
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I am a pet lover who spent her childhood in the company of a friendly Labrador Retriever. I believe that pets make our lives more enjoyable and stress-free. Currently, I have two budgies Kiwi & Koko as pets, and planning to adopt a pup soon. So, here I am, attempting to share my experiences and knowledge to improve the lives of pets and pet owners.