Dogs love human food. They love to eat the food we eat, right? Every owner knows that look in his dog’s eyes while we eat. And it is fun to give dogs treats every once in a while. Human food makes for excellent treats. And you can use it for training, motivating your dog even more. The better the treats, the more your dog will have motivation. So, can dogs have blackberries?
What are some of the safe fruits your dog can eat? Well, if you want a healthy and sweet treat for your dog, blackberries make an excellent one. They are safe for dogs. Blackberries are low in calories and sugar, making them great as an addition to the diet. You do not have to feel bad for tossing a few juicy treats to your pooch.
Let’s talk more about blackberries as treats for dogs.
Are Blackberries Safe?
We said it before, blackberries are among the safe fruits and human treats for dogs. They have low-calorie content and low sugar content. Blackberries will not pose any risk to your dog weight. No risk of diabetes or obesity whatsoever. This makes blackberries excellent treats. You will not feel bad for giving these juicy delights to your puppy.
Even more, blackberries have a couple of health benefits for your canine friend. That tiny package of fruits packs a ton of health benefits. Here are some of the nutritional perks of giving blackberries to dogs.
- Blackberries contain antioxidants (anthocyanins) that fight free radicals and provide benefits like anti-viral and anti-inflammatory effects;
- Rich in antioxidants, blackberries also reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer, all while improving brain function;
- They are low in sugar, making them an excellent treat for your dog’s diet;
- Blackberries contain fiber that can help with constipation or diarrhea;
- Fiber in blackberries make your dog feel full, which can help with whining for more food;
- Blackberries are packed with vitamins, including Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Vitamin K;
- Vitamins in blackberries help with the immune system, synthesizing hormones, metabolizing food, encouraging growth, reducing inflammation, increasing energy levels, and activating enzymes
- Blackberries contain omega-3 fatty acids that help with a shiny coat and healthy skin
Potential side effects of feeding blackberries to dogs
Blackberries pack a powerful nutritional punch. But you should give them to your dog in moderation. Even the most nutrient-rich treats should account for only 10% of your dog’s diet. Now, it is a different thing if you feed your dog a raw diet. That way, you can add blackberries as part of his meal.
Yet, there are some potential risks. Feeding too many blackberries to your dog can cause side effects like:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Gastrointestinal upset
Also bear in mind, blackberries contain a minuscule amount of xylitol. Now, they would have to eat a massive amount of blackberries to get poisoned, but you should keep that in mind.
Dogs and Berries
Besides blackberries, dogs can eat other berries as well. The holy trinity of healthy berries includes blackberries, strawberries, and blueberries. All of these contain a lot of antioxidants and vitamins that boost the health of your dog.
When it comes to blueberries, we consider them superfoods for a reason. They have the highest amount of antioxidants in fruits and vegetables. They also contain a lot of fiber and phytochemicals. Try frozen blueberries for a crunchy treat.
Strawberries round up the holy trinity. They are a nutritional powerhouse. And they contain a high amount of fiber and vitamin C. Strawberries also contain an enzyme that can help whiten the teeth of your dog. You can keep a bag of frozen strawberries for smoothies for yourself and a crunchy snack for your puppy.
If you want to know more about dogs and berries, just look at the ingredients in premium foods. You will notice most of them contain some berries in small amounts. And it is all because of the healthy benefits.
Berries you should not feed to your dog
Remember, not all berries are good for your pooch. You should stay away from cherries, holly berries, pokeberries, mistletoe berries, and baneberries. These berries contain chemicals that can pose a health hazard for your dog. Cherries also contain pits that create a choking hazard for your puppy.
These berries can cause symptoms and side effects including:
- Trouble breathing
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Excessive drooling
- Seizures
As a general rule of thumb, always avoid wild berries. They are toxic to pets.
What about other fruits?
Dogs can generally consume fruits that we like as well. For example, peaches and mangos make for great treats. Of course, if you remove the pit. Apples, oranges, pears, banana, pineapple, all of these make the list of safe fruits for your dog.
But you should avoid raisins, avocado, grapes, and nuts.
How to add blackberries to your dog’s diet?
Now that we know the health benefits of blackberries for dogs, let’s talk about how you can add them to your dog’s diet. They are packed with nutritional benefits, so naturally, we want to utilize them. How to add them to the menu of your dog?
You can use blackberries in a number of ways. For example, you can freeze a couple of them for a chilled treat. Another option is to stuff a Kong toy with blackberries and plain, low-fat yogurt. Freeze the toy overnight, and then give it to your puppy or some fun and play.
Or you can try this tasty treat. Mix 2 cups of berries, 1 small banana, ½ cup of almond milk, 1 cup of oat flour, ½ cup of oats, and 2 cups of whole wheat flour.
Process the fruits in a blender until you get a smooth mixture. Now, add the flours and oats to a large bowl and mix until combined. Combine the two mixtures and stir thoroughly. Place a small ball of dough on the counter and spray a rolling pin with cooking spray. Roll out the dough, and then cut into small treats.
Bake in the oven at 400 Fahrenheit for 15 to 20 minutes. Allow the treats to cool down before serving.
Another option is to mix the fruits and once you get a smooth mixture to put them into a muffin tin. Freeze and serve it to your dog. Do not add flour to this recipe.
Your dog will thank you for your effort.