Blackberries are a summertime favorite. In many parts of the country, it's easy to find wild bushes of them ready for the picking. In humans, blackberries offer amazing nutritional benefits like Vitamin C, Vitamin K, manganese, antioxidants, and fiber. These nutrient-dense berries can help combat free radicals in the body, can boost brain health, and help with the digestive system. These sound like great benefits that you'd want just about anyone to have in their diet, but dogs are built a little different. In dogs, the same foods can even be toxic. So, is this sweet and sour treat safe for dogs to eat?
Can Dogs Eat Blackberries?
The short answer is yes. Dog owners can absolutely feed their dog blackberries as a healthy treat, but while blackberries are safe for dogs, it doesn't mean you should freely give them to your pooch. In fact, you should limit blackberries to small quantities. Like cranberries, large amounts of blackberries can lead to gastrointestinal upset for your furry friend. No one wants to deal with that.
Dr. Melissa Ambrock, board certified Veterinarian and author, says that the side effect isn't common:
"While some people report that their dogs have had diarrhea after eating blackberries, this isn't a common side effect. If your dog does experience diarrhea or other symptoms such as vomiting or nausea, call your vet right away."
Blackberries also contain a trace amount of Xylitol, a sugar substitute that is toxic to dogs. Even though your pooch will have to eat a pretty enormous amount of blackberries to be poisoned, it's probably best to give blackberries in moderation as an occasional treat— try adding a couple to their dog food or offering a few every once in a while.
Benefits of Blackberries for Dogs
For humans, blackberries are a wonderful option if you want a healthy treat. For your doggy, this little fruit (when given in small amounts of course) has a few health benefits as well! Here's everything your pup gets from that little berry.
- Low in carbohydrates and sugar content, giving blackberries as a sweet, healthy treat to dogs with obesity will help keep them nice and trim.
- Loaded with vitamins A, B, C, E, and K, blackberries can help build a strong immune system and activate enzymes in the body among others.
- A good source of Omega-3 fatty acids, blackberries can help Fido have healthy skin and coat.
As with any human food, blackberries are meant to be given in moderation. Always check before feeding your pup something new, and even if it's safe, know that you can overdo just about anything, including healthy food.
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