Considered a superfood, raspberries are one of the most popular berries consumed across the world. With a recent surge in interest in holistic diets for dogs, canine aficionados are increasingly wondering if dogs can eat raspberries and whether it’s good for them. Luckily, it is perfectly safe for dogs and even puppies to eat raspberries in moderation. In addition, raspberries make a great treat for them because they are sweet and tasty. They are a fantastic substitute away from other treats, which may be lower in nutritional value. Raspberries are rich in antioxidants, dietary fiber, potassium, omega-3 fatty acids, and manganese.
This doesn’t mean dogs can eat everything that contains raspberries. Chocolate with raspberries is toxic for dogs. But dogs can eat raspberries with Greek yogurt or whipped cream in high moderation because too much is bad for them. In addition, raspberry plants aren’t poisonous for dogs but they obviously shouldn’t be eating them. To answer all your questions on giving raspberries to dogs, we’ve created the below guide.
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Are Raspberries Good For Dogs?
Fruit is not something that dogs need to have in their diets but it can be healthy for them to eat. Some fruits offer loads of essential nutrients that dogs need. Raspberries are a delicious, sweet treat that you can give your dog instead of sugary treats that aren’t healthy for them. Some of the health benefits of raspberries for dogs include:
Antioxidants
Raspberries are high in antioxidants that help protect your dog against free radicals that can damage the cells, and help lower the risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and arthritis.
Fiber
Dogs need fiber in their diets to help promote a healthy digestive system. In addition, fiber helps keep your dogs satiated because it makes them feel fuller. Your dog will eat less after eating raspberries, which can help keep their weight down. This is helpful for obese diets who are on restrictive diets.
Vitamins and Minerals
Raspberries are rich in vitamin C, B-complex vitamins, vitamin K, vitamin E, potassium, copper, phosphorus, manganese, iron, magnesium, and folic acid. These vitamins and minerals help promote a stronger immune system, reduced inflammation, proper blood clotting, and cell division.
Raspberries Are Healthy for Older Dogs
Antioxidants in raspberries are healthy for senior dogs. These antioxidants have anti-inflammatory properties that can help to ease joint pain. In fact, if your dog has arthritis, feeding them raspberries is a great way to help ease symptoms and help him or her stay relatively pain-free.
When giving dogs raspberries, it is best to make sure that they are raw. You might love them on cereal, ice cream, or dipped in chocolate, but they are healthiest when they are eaten on their own, without being cooked in any sugar. Do not ever give your dogs chocolate since it is toxic for them.
Can Puppies Eat Raspberries?
Puppies have much more sensitive digestive systems than adult dogs. When you introduce any new food into their diets, including raspberries, it is a good idea to start with very small amounts. Give your puppy a couple of raspberries, and then wait a few hours to see if there is any type of reaction, such as indigestion or diarrhea. If there are no issues, you can regularly start giving them more raspberries.
Raspberries Contain Xylitol
Raspberries naturally contain xylitol, which is used commercially as an artificial sweetener. In large quantities, xylitol is toxic for dogs. Luckily, raspberries only contain trace amounts of xylitol and it would take 32 cups of raspberries for an average, 22-pound dog to receive a fatal dose. However, it’s always better to err on the side of caution, especially when it comes to your pup’s health. That’s why we recommend giving raspberries to your dog in moderation. Serving sizes should be less than a cup with even lower amounts for smaller dogs.
Yes, Dogs Can Eat Raspberries in Moderation
As long as you don’t give your dogs a steady diet of raspberries, it is perfectly okay to include them in their diets. However, raspberries contain xylitol, which is an artificial sweetener that is safe for humans (often found in gum) but can be toxic to dogs in large amounts. In moderation, raspberries can be a delicious, sweet, and healthy treat for dogs.