The next time you’re at the farmer’s market, you may want to pick up an extra pint of blueberries — for your dog. That’s right: plump, juicy blueberries are a tasty and healthy treat for your pup; in fact, most dogs love them. Whether you buy them fresh, frozen, or freeze-dried, they’re a great addition to your dog’s diet. Here are all the health benefits of blueberries for dogs, plus how to serve ’em up.
April’s dog-friendly seasonal produce is berrylicious! For something so small, Blueberries pack a powerful punch when it comes to the nutrients they contain: All dog-friendly fruity treats should always be fed in moderation, to learn about all the goodness of this tasty berry – read on.
The Pros
Insoluble fibre doesn’t dissolve in water, so it remains intact as it travels through the intestines, attracting water to the stool. As it travels through, it pulls all the other food and waste along with it, reducing the incidence of stomach issues, constipation, and diarrhoea.
🫐 Vitamin C: is a vital antioxidant that can neutralize the harmful effects of free radicals. It can also combat cognitive ageing, and reduce inflammation.
🫐Fibre: is a kind of indigestible carbohydrate that has various benefits for dogs. These benefits may include weight loss, blood sugar control, and a healthy gastrointestinal system.
🫐Folate: known as folic acid. This B vitamin is crucial for metabolism, cell growth, and healthy cell membranes. These are potent antioxidants that provide anti-inflammatory properties, boost your dog’s immune system, and prevent some cancers and heart disease.
🫐Vitamin E: a deficiency in this group of fat-soluble antioxidants could lead to lead to damage to dogs’ retinas, anaemia, or in extreme cases, muscular dystrophy.
🫐Vitamin K: is necessary for bone metabolism, blood clotting, and controlling the levels of calcium in the blood.
Serving of the FRESH BLUEBERRIES
You can feed your dog blueberries in various ways:
🟡 Mashed blueberries are a splendid way to add them to your dog’s food bowl. You can also add them in with other berries like strawberries, raspberries, or blackberries for a nutritional punch.
🟡 Pureed berries are added to yoghurt or coconut water. Put the mixture in ice cube trays and freeze for a hydrating snack on summer days.
🟡 Fresh blueberries are most often given to dogs in their raw form. The fruit is soft and not much of a choking risk. When preparing the fresh blueberries, rinse them in water and inspect for any mouldy berries before offering them to your dog.
🟡 Frozen blueberries are safe but can present a choking hazard, especially in small breed dogs. But you can thaw them out and mash them prior to offering them. Larger dogs need supervision when eating the berries to avoid choking. Offering one or two at a time is better if the berries are frozen.
🟡 ROCKETO Nutri Booster Treat is a versatile nutrient boost that goes beyond any healthy dog treat. Zero synthetics were added and packed with mono protein.
Since blueberries are small, the chance of a large dog chowing down on too many is possible. They tend to eat without chewing, so can finish the bowl before you realize they snagged it. This can cause a tummy ache or create a choking hazard. Small dogs can choke easily on the berries if they are gulped down or offered frozen.
All dog-friendly fruity treats should always be fed in moderation, the recommended daily amount of blueberries for dogs ranges from 8 to 10 blueberries depending on the size of the dog and their tolerance of the berry, start with small amounts.