Can Dogs Eat Blueberries? + Benefits, Recipes & More | Pupford

If you have a dog who eyes everything you eat, you’ve probably been tempted to share with them.

But of course, you want to make sure you’re sharing food with your dog that is safe for them. We get a lot of questions about what types of human food dogs can and can’t eat, and a popular item in question is blueberries.

Today we’ll tackle all things dogs + blueberries, including:

• Can dogs eat blueberries?
• Health benefits of blueberries
• How to incorporate blueberries into my dog’s diet
• Bonus recipes and more

CAN DOGS EAT BLUEBERRIES?

If you’ve been wanting to share blueberries with your dog, the good news is – YES, dogs can eat blueberries!

Fresh, frozen, freeze-dried, or baked into homemade treats, blueberries make a delicious snack for your dog. We’ll get more into how best to incorporate blueberries into your dog’s diet in a later section.

They also have many health benefits, making them a win-win for your dog (and you!). More on that now!

HEALTH BENEFITS OF BLUEBERRIES

Many people naturally wonder if blueberries are good for dogs! Not only are blueberries juicy and delicious, but they’re also great for your dog. They’re low in calories but are chock full of health benefits, making them the perfect tasty treat.

Here are the top health benefits of blueberries:

1. They are rich in antioxidants which help protect important cells in your dog’s body by fighting free radicals.
2. They are full of vitamins and minerals including vitamin C and vitamin K.
3. They don’t contain a lot of sugar or calories.
4. They are high in fiber which aids in your dog’s digestion.
5. They promote heart, bone, and skin health which in turn helps manage cholesterol, lower blood sugar, and prevent joint issues.

Basically, there are no downsides to including blueberries in your dog’s diet. And since they’re versatile, there are many ways to do so – more on that now.

HOW TO INCORPORATE BLUEBERRIES INTO MY DOG’S OR PUPPY'S DIET

Blueberries are available in different forms and can be used in many different ways for your dog. Just remember, that like all treats, it’s best to give them to your dog in moderation. Here are some ways to incorporate blueberries into your dog’s diet:

1. Fresh – Toss a few blueberries to your dog straight from the container (washed first, of course) for a fun and easy treat.
2. Frozen – Frozen blueberries are just as nutritious as fresh, and are really refreshing for your dog.
3. Baked in treats – Add flavor and nutrients to homemade dog treats by tossing in some blueberries.
4. Freeze-dried – While freeze-dried blueberries are safe for your dog, you want to make sure you are not unintentionally giving them added sugar and filler ingredients, which are often found in freeze-dried fruit.

If you’re looking for a good freeze-dried blueberry option, check out our new blueberry treats. They pack all the nutritional punch of blueberries, with blueberries being the ONLY ingredient.

BONUS BLUEBERRY DOG-FRIENDLY RECIPES

Need some inspiration for blueberry recipes for your dog? Here are three to get you started:

Blueberry Pup-sicles

Pupsicles are great refreshing treats for summer and require minimal prep.

Simply take plain (unflavored and unsweetened) Greek yogurt and mix in a generous amount of fresh or frozen blueberries. Freeze in a dog treat mold or an ice cube tray until solid.

4 Ingredient Blueberry Cookies

If you’re looking for a baked dog treat with minimal ingredients, this is for you.

• Combine two tablespoons of melted coconut oil, two eggs, 1 ¼ cup whole wheat flour, and ½ cup of blueberries.
• Form into a dough, roll out to ½ inch thickness and cut into treat shapes using a cookie cutter.
• Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes
• Serve once cooled

You can store leftovers in the fridge for a few days, or freeze them to use later.

Blueberry, Oat, and Peanut Butter Treats

This recipe is for the peanut-butter-obsessed pup.

• Chop one cup of fresh or frozen blueberries and place them in a large mixing bowl
• Add 2 ½ cups of whole wheat flour, ¾ cup of oats, ½ teaspoon of salt, and ½ teaspoon of cinnamon to the bowl and combine.
• In a separate bowl, whisk two eggs with 3 tablespoons of peanut butter (that does NOT contain xylitol!) and add to the dry ingredients.
• Knead the dough, adding warm water until it is no longer crumbly.
• Roll out to ½ inch thickness, and cut into treat shapes with a cookie cutter.
• Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30-35 minutes.

All of these recipes can be customized to add some more of your dog’s favorite healthy fruits like strawberries, bananas, or raspberries.

Get creative and share your personalized recipes in the comments!

SIMILAR ARTICLES

If you’re wondering what other foods you can or can’t share with your dog, we’ve got you covered. Check out these other articles:

• Can Dogs Eat Bananas?
• Can Dogs Eat Salmon?
• Can Dogs Eat Chicken?
• Can Dogs Eat Apples?
• Can Dogs Eat Shrimp?
• Sweet Potatoes for Dogs
• 39 Vegetables and Fruits Dogs Can and Can’t Eat

Here’s to spoiling your dog while keeping them healthy and safe!

FINAL RECAP OF BLUEBERRIES & DOGS

As we've laid out in this article, blueberries are safe for puppies and dogs in moderation! Blueberries provide many benefits to pups including:

1. Blueberries are rich in antioxidants which help protect important cells in your dog’s body by fighting free radicals.
2. Blueberries are full of vitamins and minerals including vitamin C and vitamin K.
3. Blueberries don’t contain a lot of sugar or calories.
4. Blueberries are high in fiber which aids in your dog’s digestion.
5. Blueberries promote heart, bone, and skin health which in turn helps manage cholesterol, lower blood sugar, and prevent joint issues.

What are your dog’s favorite healthy treats? Let us know in the comments below.

And be sure to check out all our vegetarian and vegan dog treats here!

If you're looking specifically for blueberry treats (sized perfectly for training), head here!