Dog owners often want to share dried cranberries or fresh cranberries with their four-legged companions around Thanksgiving because they are popular human health snacks. But can dogs eat cranberries?
Cranberries are safe for dogs to consume. The reason is quite simple. These tart berries can be a great treat as they are non-toxic and very healthy for your dog. Some dogs find these berries unappealing because they’re very sharp and have a sour taste. A pup might eat a few berries handed to him, while another pup might take a bite and spit them out because they are too tart to be enjoyable. However, even these pups will accept cranberries when combined with other foods, despite their picky nature. Certain dog food recipes incorporate cranberries because of their powerful antioxidant properties and high nutritional content.
There are some exceptions to the no-eat rule. Canines do not encounter any toxic ingredients in cranberries. Therefore, dogs can eat cranberries without the risk of poisoning. A moderate amount of these berries is generally safe, and they might even be beneficial for their health. However, the risk of overconsumption of cranberries for dogs is just as great as for humans.
The antioxidants in cranberries can help boost your dog’s immune system and reduce inflammation. Due to their vitamin C, fiber, and potassium content and their low-calorie count, these berries produce wholesome little snacks for dogs and humans alike. Humans and canines can benefit from the antioxidant properties of cranberries. Cranberries may also benefit your dog’s teeth, heart, and eyes.
Your dog does not need sugar. The added sweeteners in some commercially dried cranberries make them less desirable than others. However, if you are overly concerned about your dog’s diet, choose plain or lightly sweetened dried cranberries instead of heavily sweetened ones. Of course, you can still give your dog a few sugary dried cranberries if you want to. However, it si important that you consult your vet before trying anything new. Many dogs are allergic to certain things and it’s always better to check with the vet.
More on Cranberries
Together with blueberries, bilberries, and huckleberries, cranberries are in the vaccinium family. They have comparable nutritional values compared to blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries.
Traditionally used against bladder and kidney problems by indigenous peoples of North America, cranberries are native to North America. Early settlers also used these tart berries to treat scurvy, poor appetite, and stomach upsets (they were also an ingredient in pemmican, North America’s first energy bar).
While many people believe cranberries grow in water, they grow in bogs. These peat-like environments contain acidic soil. During the harvesting procedure, water is drawn. Having air pockets in cranberries makes them float, which allows them to be easily separated from the plant by flooding them. Besides protecting the plants from frost, heat, and pests, the water helps them grow.
Is It Safe For Dogs To Eat Cranberries?
Dogs can be fed small quantities of cranberries and dried cranberries. You will have to decide if your pet will enjoy this tart treat. As with any treat, cranberries should be given to dogs in moderation, as too many can upset their stomachs. Other dried fruits, like raisins, sometimes come mixed with dried cranberries. Small dog breeds can have problems with raisins since they are highly toxic to dogs.
However, excess consumption of cranberries can make your dog sick, so don’t let them consume too many of them. Due to their acidity, eating many of these berries can cause stomach upset, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. A healthy diet and moderation are key to keeping your dog happy and healthy. Most fruits and vegetables can make a dog sick if they eat too much, so it is best to keep them on a balanced diet.
Despite their low caloric content, cranberries have a high acidic content, making them best eaten in moderation. In addition, it is recommended to follow the 90/10 rule for treats: 90% of the daily calories your dog needs should come from a balanced dog food diet, and the remaining 10% should come from healthy treats.
Make sure your tail-wagging friend gets some raw cranberries next time you prepare your Thanksgiving meal. Dogs will do a happy dance when they eat the crunchy berries! Cranberries are safe for dogs and provide enough nutrition to make it worthwhile – and your dog will thank you for this amazing treat.
Can Dogs Eat Dried Cranberries?
You should be cautious about how many cranberries your dog can safely eat, as dried cranberries are non-toxic but can still be harmful to your dog if overly consumed. It is possible to find dried cranberries sweetened, which negates all of the good things the berries have to offer. Moreover, the additional sugar or sweeteners aren’t good for your dog.
Many dry cranberries are found in dried fruit blends or mixed with nuts. Dogs could become ill from eating mixed berries and nuts, especially if the mixture contains raisins, sultanas, currants, or macadamia nuts, which are all toxic to pets. It’s fine to give your dog a few dried cranberries if you have a pack of all-natural cranberries that don’t contain any added ingredients.
Due to the fact that all the moisture has been removed, dried cranberries are more concentrated than their regular counterparts. In other words, they still deliver all the same nutrients, but since they’re smaller, it’s easier to eat more of them without realizing it. Be careful not to overfeed your dog, so he doesn’t get an upset stomach if he eats plenty of them.
Benefits of Cranberries To Your Dog
Cranberries provide your dog with several notable health benefits. The best choice is to give your pup freshly picked cranberries since your pup will get all of the benefits from the berry, including the fiber from the skin. In addition, the antioxidant properties of cranberries make them an essential ingredient in fresh dog food since they have proven to boost the health of your pooches. Some of the most prominent are as follows.
Loaded with Antioxidants
They are beneficial to your dog’s health in a variety of ways. For example, proanthocyanidins prevent plaque and tartar from forming on your dog’s teeth. Food allergies and inflammation are prevented through quercetin. Furthermore, cranberries are high in potassium and manganese, which can help strengthen bones and promote growth.
Improves Bladder Health
Proanthocyanidins can help prevent bacteria responsible for urinary tract infections (such as E. coli) from adhering to the bladder wall, and prevent urinary tract infections in the first place. In dogs, chronic urinary infections can be prevented by supplementing their dog food with cranberry extract or supplements containing cranberries.
Strengthens the Immune System
A canine’s diet should contain fresh, raw, or canned cranberries high in vitamin E and K. A dog’s diet high in vitamin E can help to reduce their risk of heart disease. Free radicals are captured by vitamin C, inflammation is reduced, and cognitive aging is slowed. Additionally, vitamin K is known as the ‘clotting vitamin’ and it helps in blood coagulation. Coagulation prevents an excessive amount of bleeding when a blood vessel is injured.
Risks Associated with Eating Cranberries
Despite the health benefits offered by cranberries, there is a limit to their use. Dogs can have some cranberries in moderation if you only feed them a limited amount. However, your dog’s health can be adversely affected if you give him large amounts of cranberries (or sugary cranberry products).
There’s no inherent risk for your dog’s health when eating cranberries. However, your dog may experience severe stomach pain if eating too many cranberries. Grape juice is toxic to dogs and is usually found in cranberry juice (even unsweetened cranberry juice). Ingestion can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Upsets Stomach
In addition to helping ease upset stomachs, raw cranberries may also be soothing, but sugary cranberry juices and sauces may do the opposite. However, you can generally feed your dog unsweetened cranberry sauce and juice in moderation.
Cranberries cause upset stomachs in dogs if they are given large amounts. If you are thinking about giving your dog cranberries, you should consult your veterinarian first.
Forms Kidney Stones
Despite their acidity, cranberries provide protection against UTIs. Calcium oxalate stones, also known as kidney stones, can form when your dog’s bladder contains too many acids. Therefore, dosages of cranberry extract or cranberry supplements should be tailored to your dog’s needs, so he gets exactly what he needs.
Choking Hazard
Small dogs may be unable to chew the frozen cranberries, and due to this they become a choking hazard. Thaw the cranberries before giving them to your dog.
Excessive Weight Gain
Dogs can also gain weight from eating too many human foods, especially if they are high in added sugars. You should offer moderate amounts of cranberries since they are highly acidic.
How Can I Feed My Dog Cranberries?
There are several ways to treat your dog with cranberries. Here are some options to widen your cranberry feeding scale.
Fresh Cranberries
For tail-wagging pups that are always asking for cranberries, fresh cranberries are always the best choice. Dogs may prefer blueberry or strawberry instead of this tart treat because many dislike its bitter taste. To boost your dog’s immune system, sprinkle a few on top of regular dog food.
Dried Cranberries
You can also buy dried cranberries if the label states the manufacturer did not add sugar to them.
Get the Frozen Ones
As a quick snack, frozen cranberries are a good choice. However, make sure the frozen berries are thawed first because they can choke a small dog (especially small ones).
Canned Cranberries
You can add canned cranberry sauce to your dog’s food in moderation. First, verify the label to ensure that there are no artificial sweeteners or grape juice.
Unsweetened Cranberry Sauce
Despite its tart taste, unsweetened cranberry juice may not be appealing to your pooch. Simply check the label to ensure that the sauce is unsweetened. However, some risks are associated with canine consumption of excess cranberry sauce in small quantities.
Can Dogs Eat Cranberry Sauce?
It is technically possible for your dog to eat cranberry sauce, but this does not mean they should. Most cranberry sauces do not contain anything toxic, so your dog may be able to eat them, but there is a lot of sugar packed into those jars of sauce. Adding sugar to a dog’s diet is unnecessary, so he should not be spoiled with sweets. A sugar-rich diet can also increase their risk of developing diabetes and weight gain.
There will always be additional ingredients to consider, mostly sugar and sweeteners for cranberry juice and sauce for dogs. Generally, it’s not a good idea to feed dogs foods that contain these additional ingredients. Regardless, if your dog gulps down some spilled juice or snarfs some turkey smothered in sauce, they should be fine.
Small quantities of leftover cranberry sauce could pose some risks for dogs. The sugar in cranberry sauce is not the only factor that makes it toxic to dogs.
Antioxidants In Cranberries
There are several benefits for dogs to consuming cranberries. Some of them are listed below:
Anthocyanins
Cranberries possess these pigments that give them their festive red color. Polyphenols in plants are among the most powerful antioxidants. Anthocyanins exhibit a wide range of health-enhancing properties. As a result of their wide range of medicinal capabilities, they can help prevent: cancer, diabetes, heart disease, cognitive issues, vision loss, neurological issues, and obesity.
Proanthocyanidins
Alternatively, they are called condensed tannins. Their strong antioxidant properties make them known as “defense and offense molecules.” They’re also polyphenols.
Pine bark, grapeseed, red wine, and cranberries contain these nutrients. According to some researchers, cranberries are 20 times stronger than vitamin C or E. You may have heard that cranberries can help prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs). The truth is, they can. The cranberry phytochemical proanthocyanidins prevent UTIs, according to research.
Quercetin
Plants contain another antioxidant flavonoid called quercetin. Cranberries contain quercetin, as do many plant foods. You can also get vitamins from apples (especially their skin), berries, and peppers. As an antioxidant, quercetin plays an important role in reducing oxidative stress. It plays a vital role in managing inflammation. This can help prevent all types of inflammatory conditions, including arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
Final Verdict
Dogs can eat plain cranberries in moderation. Too much consumption is not safe for them as it can lead to nausea, vomiting, or poisoning in dogs. Even if cranberries are not harmful for your dogs, it is important that you consult your vet before giving them to your dog. Each dog breed is different and may react differently to new things. Cranberries are highly nutritious for dogs, and these flavorful berries are suitable for their consumption.
However, some dogs will not like the tart taste of these berries, depending on their personal preferences. A close relative of the beloved blueberry is the cranberry, another superfood of the human world. There are brilliant nutrients in blueberries that can benefit your dog’s health, so can dogs eat them too? Cranberries are loaded with nutrients that can benefit your dog’s health, so they are safe for dog consumption. It may have been said that cranberries can help treat a dog’s UTI, but it has been proven true.
Since they are packed with vitamin C and E, cranberries are powerful antioxidants. Skin, fur, and bones require these nutrients to remain healthy, but they have many other benefits, including reducing inflammation and combating cell damage, which can lower the risk of cancer. Manganese also takes on anti-oxidation functions in the form of antioxidants in the form of cranberries. The right amount of protein and carbohydrates are also important for your dog’s metabolism, including enzyme production and carb metabolism.
Additionally, cranberries have been shown to increase a dog’s digestive system’s ability to process food. Some dogs were more likely to absorb nutrients from their food if they ate some cranberries every day. Even a healthy dog may benefit from eating cranberries, as cranberries improve intestinal function, but in moderate quantities.
Apart from dogs, puppies also eat cranberries as a snack, while others may mix them into their meals. Dogs can also eat dried cranberries as long as they are unsweetened and do not contain any dried fruits that are poisonous to them, such as raisins.
It’s best to feed your dog whole, fresh cranberries or unsweetened dried cranberries if you want them to get the most benefits from these berries. A balanced diet will help in keeping your dog happy and healthy. Be sure to include protein, fruit, and vegetables.
