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Dogs love raspberries as much as we do! However, you will want to offer them as a treat on occasion. Most people are surprised to learn that fruits and veggies are healthy for dogs to eat.
Your dog can safely eat raspberries. Most berries are easy for dogs to chew and contain fiber, Vitamin C, and manganese, which are great for dogs. However, you should only offer berries in moderation as a treat since they contain small amounts of naturally occurring xylitol.
Dogs are carnivores and should have a diet made up of mostly protein, but they can have very small amounts of raspberries as an occasional snack. Keep reading to find out how to safely feed your dog raspberries, and if they might be toxic in larger amounts.
Table of Contents
Why Your Dog Can Eat Raspberries
Raspberries are very low in sugar, small enough to eat, have plenty of fiber and other nutrients, and don’t contain large amounts of toxic ingredients. They are also easy for them to chew and digest since they are soft and don’t have any hard seeds.
Do Dogs Like Raspberries?
Dogs love raspberries, as they are tiny, sweet treats that your pup will scarf down. You want to make sure you keep track of how many you give to your pet so they don’t eat too many.
Blackberries, blueberries, cranberries, and raspberries are all enjoyable treats. However, never feed your dog any berries that have a pit, such as cherries, which contain toxins that hurt dogs. Plus, your pet could choke on the pit or accidentally swallow it, leading to digestive issues.
Overall, dogs love berries, including raspberries. They are soft, so even senior dogs and young puppies can enjoy a small amount of them.
Are They Nutritious?
Raspberries contain many nutrients that can benefit dogs. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), raspberries contain dietary fiber, which helps your dog’s digestive system function better. Additionally, the fiber helps your dog feel full, which can help them with weight loss.
These berries have the most benefits for senior dogs, as they contain antioxidants, which offer anti-inflammatory effects. If your dog has joint pain, the antioxidants may help them feel better.
Raspberries also contain Vitamin C, which supports the immune system and fights off free radicals that cause illness, and Manganese, which can reduce inflammation and support bone health.
How Many Can a Dog Safely Eat?
As long as you offer raspberries in moderation, they are safe for dogs to eat. Although, you should never feed large breeds more than one cup, or more than half of a cup for small breeds, as the fruit contains small amounts of xylitol.
The FDA has stated that xylitol is dangerous for dogs. This sugar occurs naturally in many berries but is safe for people to eat. When dogs eat it, their pancreas releases more insulin than needed, which is very harmful to your pet.
If your dog is vomiting and seems weak, make sure to take them to the vet. It would be best if you offered these berries as an occasional treat, as they should never be a significant part of your pup’s diet.
How Much Is Dangerous?
Raspberries only contain a trace amount of the natural sugar xylitol, which is dangerous to dogs, but only when consumed in large quantities. If you only offer a small number of raspberries, your dog will be alright.
To eat enough raspberries to be fatal, a 22-pound (10-kg) dog would have to eat 32 cups of raspberries to die from xylitol. However, they would experience hypoglycemia, low blood sugar long before that.
That same dog would need to eat about five cups of raspberries to have a hypoglycemic reaction, which is why you only want to offer them less than a cup or just a few berries at a time. You will need to provide small dogs with minimal amounts of raspberries to stay on the safe side.
Overall, raspberries are fatal when your dog eats a ton of them. By offering small amounts, they will feel fine and even get some additional nutrients in their diet.
How To Offer Raspberries
When feeding your dog raspberries, you want to be sure they are fresh and plain. Never offer the dog raspberries that you coated in syrup or sugar, as these additives can make your dog feel sick and add to the risk of diabetes in the future.
Dogs don’t digest sugars in the same way that we do. Plus, they love plain raspberries, so there should be no need to add any sweeteners. Some people even use raspberries to make treats for their pets!
Let’s take a look at some of the treats that you can make for your dog:
Frozen Raspberry Treats
If you want to make your dog frozen raspberry treats for the summer, follow this quick recipe:
Ingredients
- ¾ cup unsweetened, plain Greek Yogurt: If your dog is lactose intolerant, substitute with chicken stock. You never want to use a nut-based yogurt, as too many nuts can be harmful to dogs.
- ¾ cup fresh raspberries: Next, gather your fresh berries. Frozen are fine, too, as long as there are no added sugars.
- ½ banana, mashed: You don’t need to use the whole banana for this recipe.
Instructions
- Blend the ingredients in a blender. It should take almost two minutes to have a smooth, runny consistency.
- Pour the mixture into your molds. While you can use an ice tray, I prefer using a dog treat mold, such as the AITINIA Silicone Molds on Amazon.com. They can work with several different recipes and make it easy to “pop” the treats out after they freeze.
- Freeze molds for five hours. However, if you can let them rest overnight, that is even better.
You can offer one or two to your pup at a time, depending on their size. I recommend that you store the rest of the treats in a Tupperware container in the freezer.
Limit Treats
You want to limit the number of treats that you feed your dog. As a general rule, vets recommend that 90% of their daily calorie intake comes from their dog food, while the final 10% comes from treats.
If you plan to feed them raspberries, it is essential to know that they are an excellent low-calorie option. You will still want to provide your pup with plenty of nutritious kibbles during the day.
Offer Them Slowly
When making changes to a dog’s diet, you never want to do anything suddenly, as their stomachs react badly to change. So, if they are used to eating one particular kind of kibble, too many berries can make them feel sick.
You will want to plan when you are going to offer raspberries as a treat. Only introduce your dog to one new kind of food at a time and watch how they react. If your dog doesn’t like raspberries or reacts badly to them, you don’t want to offer them again.
Add Raspberries to Their Bowl
Finally, you can mix a few raspberries into your dog’s food bowl with their kibble during their next meal. Your pup will likely enjoy finding a surprise treat in their dog food. You don’t want to do this with every meal, but it is OK on occasion.
What Berries You Should Never Give a Dog
Most berries that your dog can’t eat are the ones that contain pits or contain a large number of materials that are toxic to them. If you want to feed your dog a berry, always check that it is safe first.
These berries can cause digestive problems, seizures, breathing issues, vomiting, and more if your dog eats them:
- Cherries
- Holly berries
- Baneberries
- Poke berries
- Juniper berries
- Mistletoe berries
- Gooseberries
- Salmonberries
- Dogwood berries
If you notice your dog is interested in a wild berry bush, you will want to take it away before they eat anything. It is better to be safe when you can’t identify a wild berry.
What if They Ate a Toxic Berry?
If you believe your dog ate a toxic berry, be sure to contact your vet immediately. The professional will let you know whether you need to bring in your pet. However, if you know your dog ate a large number of poisonous berries, go to an emergency veterinary clinic right away.
The sooner your dog receives treatment, the better. A vet can give them the relief they need and provide other forms of medical support.
Some signs of ingesting a toxic berry include:
- Lethargy or weakness
- Tremors and shaking
- Seizures
- Drooling
- Difficulty breathing
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
Dogs who receive prompt treatment have a better recovery period after ingesting something toxic. Additionally, make sure you never force your dog to vomit, unless a vet tells you to do it.
Final Thoughts
Dogs can eat raspberries, and most love them. They are easy for them to eat and can provide some nutritional benefits. However, you will only want to offer them to your pet in moderation, as too many can be toxic. You can make DIY treats or provide your pup with plain, fresh raspberries.
Related Articles
- Can Dogs Eat Frozen Yogurt? Read This First!
- Can Dogs Eat Ginger Snaps: Yay or Nay?
- Tapioca for Dogs: Should It Be Part of Your Dog’s Diet?
- Can Dogs Eat Banana Bread? We Ask the Experts!
- Can Dogs Eat Pork Rib Bones? (Is It Safe?)
Sources
- AKC: Can Dogs Eat Raspberries? Are Raspberries Good for Dogs?
- FDA: Paws Off Xylitol; It’s Dangerous for Dogs
- Ask A Vet A Question: Xylitol in fruit toxic to dogs?
- PDSA: My dog has eaten something harmful
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