This is a question that many dog owners ask – can my dog eat blueberries

blueberries – @april142 via Twenty20

Answer

The answer is yes and they are a great little snack for dogs but due to the small size there is very little risk of there being a choking hazard unless you have a very small dog you may have to be careful. You can serve your dog fresh and frozen blueberries.

Since blueberries are high in fiber this can of course have a side effect with a dog, too much fiber can lead to diarrhea and gastrointestinal upset. Saying that one or two as a snack from time to time would be OK for most dogs.

We will have a couple of recipes at the bottom which will include blueberries that you can make for your dog

Nutrition Info

As per the advice for humans, blueberries would have the same benefits for dogs since they contain various vitamins, minerals and other beneficial chemicals.

Antioxidants, like those which are contained in blueberries help fight free radicals, these are proven to be responsible for cellular and molecular damage in humans and dogs. The study at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12392784 showed that adding antioxidants to a dog’s diet reduces the effects of brain aging.

Lets look at the nutrition for blueberries

Blueberries consist of about 14% carbohydrates, 0.7% protein, 0.3% fat and 84% water . They contain only negligible amounts of micronutrients, with moderate levels of the essential dietary mineral manganese, vitamin C, vitamin K and dietary fiber. In general, the nutrient contents of blueberries are a low percentage of the daily value in humans .

One serving provides a relatively low caloric value of 57 kcal per 100 gram serving

Nutritional values per 100 g

The daily values are the examples for humans

Energy 57 kcal
Carbohydrates – 14.49 g
Sugars – 9.96 g
Dietary fiber – 2.4 g
Fat – 0.33 g
Protein – 0.74 g

Vitamins %Daily value
Vitamin A 54 IU
Thiamine (B1) – 3%
Riboflavin (B2) – 3%
Niacin (B3) – 3%
Pantothenic acid (B5) – 2%
Vitamin B6 – 4%
Folate (B9) – 2%
Vitamin C – 12%
Vitamin E – 4%
Vitamin K – 18%

Minerals – %Daily value
Calcium – 1%
Iron – 2%
Magnesium – 2%
Manganese – 16%
Phosphorus – 2%
Potassium – 2%
Zinc – 2%

Blueberries also contain anthocyanins, other polyphenols and various phytochemicals which are beneficial.

Advice

You should always ask your vet before sharing human foods with your dog. You should also consult them with regards the portion size that your dog could have.

Do not use products that are maybe simply flavored with Blueberry, typically these may include many other chemicals, preservatives and other substances that are harmful to dogs.

Avoid Blueberry products with added sugar and sweeteners – these may include sauces and drinks. Sugar can lead to obesity in dogs and certain sweeteners like xylitol can be toxic. Stay safe and read the labels.

Sadly some blueberries are treated with pesticides, so you may wish to stick to organic ones if possible.

Recipes

Shiny Coat Treats

Packed with ingredients your dog will love such as peanut butter and also including some blueberries

Ingredients

4 fresh eggs
1 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup dried blueberries, chopped
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup oats
2 tbsp molasses

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well with a wooden spoon.
Roll the mixture out onto a floured surface and cut into your desired shapes.
Arrange shapes on a baking tray and bake for 10 – 12 minutes
Allow treats to cool and then refrigerate in an a airtight container

Fruity Yoghurt Treat

Yep, your dog can have a dessert as well, this simple and tasty treat will surely keep them happy. What's more with all the goodness from the fruit and the protein from the yoghurt it has benefits for furry friend

Makes: 6
Preparation Time: 45 mins.

Ingredients :

½ cup of non-fat organic Yogurt
½ cup of Applesauce (½ cup)
½ cup of diced Strawberries
½ cup of diced Blueberries

Instructions:

1. Mix together all the ingredients in a medium-sized bowl.
2. Ensure that the fruit is blended and the yogurt is smooth.

Note:

This dessert can only be stored in the fridge for up to seven days.
You should only give your dogs small portions of this treat

Blueberry Fruit Strips

Yields: 5 (1 ½inch x 6inch) strips

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon of lemon juice
1 tablespoon of raw honey
1 pound of fresh or frozen blueberries

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 170° Fahrenheit. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
2. Carefully, add all your ingredients into a blender and purée. Add a tablespoon of water if needed.
3. Spread the mixture over parchment paper, avoid the edges of the paper.
4. Bake for around 7 hours or until the mixture is not sticky. Remove from oven and allow the mixture to cool.
5. Cut the mixture into strips and store in the fridge in an airtight container.

Note

You can store the strips in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Banana Blueberry Blend

Ingredients

1 cup of blueberries
1 banana
1 6oz plain yogurt
1 tsp of ground flax seed

Instructions

Mix all the ingredients in a blender until smooth. Distribute the mixture evenly into an empty ice tray. Keep in the freezer till frozen.