As a pet owner, you are responsible for the health of your dog. And one way to make sure they stay healthy and happy is to feed them a balanced diet. Now, while there has been a surge of people making their own natural dog food, some owners even switch their pets to a completely natural diet, you don’t have to do that to ensure your dog is eating healthy.
In fact, if you find the right dog food with the right ingredients, your dog will be getting most of the nutrients they need to survive. However, you can always add to that nutrition by throwing in a couple of natural ingredients every now and then.
And you may not know this, but berries are a great way to introduce a tasty and healthy treat to your dog’s diet.
So, keep in mind, not all berries are good for dogs. In this article, we’ll be giving you a complete guide to feeding berries to your dog, including the types of berries they can eat and how to start incorporating the fruits into their diet!
Can Dogs Eat Berries?
Yes and no. While there are some berries that are good for your dog’s health and could serve as great treats, others may pose dangers to your dog’s health.
On top of that, there are some dogs with certain allergies to different foods. So, it’s best to understand the food that your dog can and enjoys eating before you start introducing berries and other fruits into their diet.
In fact, before adding anything to your dog’s diet, it’s best to consult your vet. Since your vet knows your dog and its medical history, they will be able to give you a better recommendation on whether or not it’s a good idea to feed your dogberries.
With that said, if your dog isn’t allergic, there are a great number of berries that are beneficial to their health, which we’ll get into in the next section.
Best Berries For Your Dog’s Diet
When trying to introduce berries to your dog’s diet, it’s important to make sure that you’re feeding them the right ones. There are over 400 different species of berries out there, and some of them may not be that good for your dog. So, here are some of the top recommended berries to start mixing in your dog’s diet!
Cranberries
While they aren’t part of the “holy trinity” cranberries are also a great berry to add to your dog’s diet. Cranberries contain manganese, Vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin K1, all of which can promote good health. Additionally, cranberries are easily accessible for many people and there’s a high chance you can find them in your local grocery store.
The benefits of feeding your dog cranberries include aiding in cancer prevention, managing gut health, reducing the risk of heart disease, and improving your dog’s oral health. However, some dogs may not enjoy cranberries that much since they are known for having a fairly tart flavor.
For more information about feeding your dog cranberries, visit Spot & Tango website for a complete guide.
Blueberries
Blueberries are known as a superfood for humans because of all their health benefits, great taste, and a large number of antioxidants in a serving of blueberries. On top of that, they offer about the same health benefits to dogs, too.
Not only are blueberries healthy and tasty for dogs, but they are also readily available in most supermarkets. Blueberries contain a lot of antioxidants, fiber, and different vitamins that can all support your dog’s health.
Strawberries
Yes, dogs can eat strawberries. These are sweet treat that offers a lot of benefits for both humans and dogs. However, keep in mind that too much sugar can lead to some complications in dogs as well, so make sure to only feed your dog strawberries in moderation.
Strawberries are cousins to the blueberry, so they share a lot of the same properties. Strawberries are packed with antioxidants, fiber, and a lot of vitamin C. But the main reason that strawberries are a great addition to your dog’s diet is they contain a special enzyme that could be great for your dog’s teeth!
You can feed your dog either fresh or frozen strawberries, depending on availability and your dog’s preferences. You can even blend the strawberries into a chunky smoothie that’s easier for your dog to digest!
Blackberries
Another great berry to add to your dog’s diet is the blackberry. Blackberries, strawberries, and blueberries are considered a sort of “holy trinity” of berries for dogs as they offer the best health benefits for our furry friends. Like the other members of the trinity, blackberries have a lot of antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins that are great for your dog.
How To Incorporate Berries In Your Dog’s Diet
When adding berries to your dog’s regular diet, it’s best to start slow. In fact, the first step should be consulting your vet and asking if it’s fine to add certain foods to your dog’s diet. While the berries we mentioned above are all safe for dogs, your vet will still know best and it’s recommended to follow their advice when it comes to keeping your pet healthy.
Once you have the go signal from your vet, you can also ask how many berries you can feed your dog. But for a general rule of thumb, most experts recommend starting slow and giving a couple of berries a week as a treat.
Remember, berries have a lot of sugar, so it’s always best to give them small amounts as treats. And while they may only be eating a handful of berries here and there, your dog is still getting all the health benefits possible, which is what makes berries ideal dog treats.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a natural and healthy treat to add to your dog’s diet, you may want to consider berries. There are tons of berries available today, and a lot of them aren’t just safe, but beneficial for dogs.
The berries mentioned above are some of the best choices for dog treats but don’t hesitate to do additional research. Additionally, remember to start slow and only add a few berries to your dog’s diet at a time to avoid giving them too much.