If you’re thinking about some tiny juicy red berries and wondering can dogs eat raspberries, the answer is YES! Your pet can benefit from the antioxidants, vitamins, fiber, and other minerals in raspberries. And they are low in calories too. But keep the following points in mind:
Can dogs have raspberries? Yes, a ripe raspberry is a healthy and delicious fruit for dogs. It’s rich in antioxidants and dietary fiber, which are great for older dogs.
Raspberries are best served as an occasional treat. Try it frozen for a cool summer treat, or mix it into yogurt for a nutritious snack.
But even good things need to be consumed in moderation, and the same applies to raspberries. This tiny fruit has trace levels of sugar and xylitol, and too much of it can be detrimental to your pet’s health.
But, first things first….
Raspberries are a delicious and nutritious fruit that’s great for humans. But what about dogs? Can dogs eat raspberries? Veterinarian Dr. Jennifer Coates believes raspberries are a wonderful treat for dogs. “A few raspberries every day is a great way to treat your dog while also supplementing their diet with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.”
You’ll be surprised to know that this tiny fruit packs quite a punch where nutrition is concerned. It falls into the superfood category because it is rich in:
Raspberries apparently contain more antioxidants than other fruits. They’re rich in Vitamin C, flavonoids, quercetin, and ellagic acid. These antioxidants are great for restoring balance in your dog’s body and supporting its immune system.
Your dog’s immune and nervous systems can be weakened by free radicals – those uncharged atoms or molecules that cause cell damage and disease.
An antioxidant-rich diet can help combat free radicals linked to diseases such as cancer and arthritis that can weaken your pet’s immune and nervous systems.
Moreover, antioxidants are also advantageous for the brain and can keep older canines mentally agile.
Dietary fiber benefits dogs’ digestive systems for the same reasons it does ours. Raspberries have fibers that are indigestible because they are insoluble. These fibers aid digestion by removing the waste from our bowels that can cause diarrhea or constipation.
Furthermore, fiber will keep your dog feeling full and satisfied for longer. In overweight dogs, a fiber-rich diet can aid in weight loss.
Fat-soluble vitamin K is packed with the protein prothrombin, which plays a crucial role in blood clotting and bone metabolism. It allows injuries to heal significantly faster.
Vitamin K’s role in balancing calcium levels in the blood also helps protect your pet’s heart against problems.
Vitamin B helps your dog maintain a healthy nervous system, metabolism, healthy skin, and strong muscles.
Besides safeguarding against anemia, it promotes a healthy coat and strengthens your dog’s heart. It can also reduce the effects of stress.
Raspberries contain small amounts of minerals like manganese, magnesium, copper, potassium, and iron, which are essential for your dog’s skeletal development, cell function, muscle contraction, and nervous system.
Does this mean you can feed your dog raspberries without worry?
Yes, as long as you don’t overdo it. As I mentioned earlier, moderation is key.
Raspberries have trace amounts of xylitol, a kind of carbohydrate found in plants. It has the same sweetness as sugar but none of the calories. Due to its rapid absorption into the bloodstream, the sugar substitute can be harmful to dogs. It spikes insulin release, which leads to a drop in blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and, if left untreated, can be fatal.
Fortunately, raspberries contain very little xylitol, so your pet can still enjoy them. However, it’s advisable to limit their intake. Bear in mind that one cup of raspberries contains the following:
Dogs can get hypoglycemia from consuming more than 0.1 g/kg of xylitol and severe liver failure from consuming more than 0.5 g/kg.
If you’re wondering whether raspberries are indeed a healthy snack for your dog, the answer is yes. But, too much of a good thing is a bad thing, and that applies to these tiny berries too. They can be harmful if eaten in excess.
So, how many raspberries can I give my dog? The amount of raspberries your dog can eat largely depends on its size and weight.
The following are the suggested servings depending on your pet’s size:
Are raspberries bad for dogs? Only if you have an elderly dog or one with health issues like diabetes. Raspberries contain natural xylitol, a substance that can be toxic to dogs when consumed in large amounts. Generally, small amounts are safe for most dogs.
Is there Xylitol in raspberries? According to Dr. Andrew Miller, a veterinarian from Locum Small Animal Vet, raspberries contain naturally occurring xylitol, a sweetener that can be poisonous to dogs and cause liver illness and hypoglycemia. However, the amount of xylitol is negligible compared to other chemicals like toothpaste. “You should only give raspberries in moderation and never as a continuous diet”, advises Dr. Miller.
Overconsumption of foods containing xylitol can lead to serious health problems, including liver damage and hypoglycemia, if not managed.
If your dog consumes too many raspberries, it may start vomiting, and experience diarrhea or even constipation. In general, natural xylitol, as opposed to the synthetic forms present in the human diet, would create major problems only if ingested in enormous quantities.
It’s only when you’re dealing with a small dog, a puppy, an old dog, or a dog with diabetes that you need to be extremely cautious.
Ingesting too much fiber can lead to bloating, vomiting, and gas in pets. Despite their delicious flavor, raspberries should be served in moderation due to their high fiber content.
While the sugar level in raspberries may be lower than that in many other fruits, there’s still a reasonable amount present. Too much sugar is bad for a dog’s digestive tract, especially for a young pup or a small breed. Too much sugar can cause stomach issues like diarrhea, bloating, gas, and indigestion.
The tiny, round raspberry can also be a choking hazard. Therefore, dice or crush the fruit before feeding it to a small dog.
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— Appa & Ali (@yipyipskybison) August 9, 2020
Stick to perfectly ripe and fresh raspberries. Avoid the canned or sweetened kinds since they could include too much sugar or even xylitol. You’ll also want to keep your pet away from raspberry jams.
If your dog has never tried a raspberry, wash one first, cut it into small pieces, and then offer it to your pet to see how they like it. It’s a tasty and nutritious treat that can cool your dog off in the summer or provide him with some nutrition.
Here are a few ways to include raspberries in your dog’s diet:
Wash the raspberries first to rid them of any residual chemicals or molds. Then pop them into your freezer and serve frozen as a refreshing snack on hot days.
You can prepare a tasty and nutritious smoothie by blending raspberries with plain, non-fat yogurt. It can also be frozen to create a delicious popsicle.
Minimize the yogurt serving size to a tablespoon or less for toy and small-breed dogs.
When it’s time for dinner, chop up the appropriate amount of raspberries and add to your dog’s meal. It’s an efficient way to introduce new and nutritious foods to your pet’s diet.
No! Dogs can safely have small amounts of raspberries as a healthy treat.
The red berry is a fantastic source of minerals and antioxidants for dogs. But because they also include traces of sugar and xylitol, the serving size should be in proportion to your dog’s size.
Both red and black raspberries are healthy and fruity treats dogs can enjoy in moderation. Both can give your dog a healthy dose of antioxidants and nutrients.
Take care that you feed them the right amount.
You can make a tasty and nutritious treat for your dog by combining non-fat, plain, unflavored yogurt with raspberries.
Avoid raspberry-flavored yogurts since they usually contain high amounts of fat, sugar, and other substances that can harm your dog.
Sorbet prepared with fresh raspberries, and other fruits can be a delicious and refreshing treat.
Your pet should be fine as long as you’re giving it the correct quantity and not adding artificial substances or flavors.
It’s best to avoid giving dogs canned raspberries since they contain high amounts of sugar and preservatives.
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A digital marketing expert by profession, Andrews is a gifted writer and animal lover at heart. A self-confessed "pawrent", Andrews is well-versed in all things dogs. He uses his years of experience of raising puppies into show-quality dogs to help guide first-time pet parents. He believes in spreading the joy that comes with being a dog dad and advocates more families to adopt pets.
