It's Blueberry Month! Are Blueberries Good For Dogs?

FiveSibes #Flashback ~ July 2016 ~ Wolfie

Did you know that July is National Blueberry Month? Who doesn't love those sweet, little plump berries? Even dogs enjoy them! 

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Is It Safe For Dogs to Eat Blueberries? 

The short answer is, Yes! But, as with most things, moderation is key.

*Always check with your veterinarian before giving your dog a new treat/food/fruit.*

 Are Blueberries Good For Dogs? 

According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), "Blueberries are a great source of minerals, antioxidants, and more. This fruit is a healthy snack for both large and small dogs, and most dogs love them."

Of course I had a purple berry strainer/storage containers in honor of my K9 Epilepsy Awareness (for my Epi-dog, Gibson, who loved blueberries!) I really like these containers, and I've had them for 11 years now and they still look new and work beautifully! They come in an assortment of colors of sizes. If you'd like to check them out, see them HERE.

What Makes Blueberries So Good for Dogs?

First, they are tasty! My FiveSibes loved blueberries! Sometimes I would freeze them and give them to them as a cool treat, or I'd whip them up into a nice froze treat (see recipe below) in the hot weather. Or, I'd sprinkle a few, along with some organic plain fat-free yogurt, into their food.

A Delicious, Healthy, Low-Calorie Treat 

Blueberries have many benefits. They are known to help strengthen the immune systems and help fight inflammation. In addition, they contain vitamins, and are a low-calorie option.

"Blueberries are low in calories and contain high amounts of vitamin C, fiber, and phytochemicals (naturally occurring chemical compounds found in plants)," notes the AKC. "Vitamin C and fiber are vital components of proper canine nutrition. Phytochemicals are linked to several aspects of health, including the ability to fight cancer in humans. Blueberries are also filled with antioxidants and have been shown to improve the health of animals, as well as humans."

When my Gibson gained 20 pounds as a side effect of his epilepsy medications, I changed up his diet (with my vet's approval) that included pumpkin purée, green beans I'd purée, and—you guessed it—blueberries! These changes in combination with exercise, helped to get him back down to his normal 98 pounds!  

What Do Antioxidants Do, Like Those In Blueberries?

Antioxidants is the pep talk of the town! They "Help fight free radicals, which are responsible for cellular and molecular damage in dogs and humans," states the AKC. 

Brain aging in dogs, according to the National Library of Medicine (PubMed), can benefit from antioxidants like blueberries because, "A diet enriched in antioxidants reduces cognitive dysfunction."

 This is all excellent news, especially if you have a dog who is in its senior years.

Cautions For Feeding Dogs Blueberries 

🫐 Always check with your dog's vet before feeding blueberries, or any new fruits or foods.

🫐 Be sure to wash blueberries thoroughly to remove any pesticides, dirt, bugs, etc. I prefer organic, but still wash them thoroughly!

🫐 Remove any stems.

🫐 Mash or cut up blueberries for small breed dogs to avoid a possible choking hazard. 

🫐 NEVER feed your dog canned blueberries that contain sugars, syrups, and preservatives.

🫐 While fresh blueberries are a healthy snack/treat option, they do have natural sugars, so some dogs who are on special diets or have diabetes should probably stay away from these fruits. *Best Advice: Consult your dog's veterinarian first before feeding your dog blueberries.* 

🫐 Too many blueberries may cause your dog to have a GI upset, gas, and diarrhea.  

How Many Blueberries Can A Dog Safely Eat? 

The rule of thumb is pretty simple—everything in MODERATION. According to the AKC, "All treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily diet."  Naturally, the amount of blueberries will vary depending on the size and weight of your dog. I'll let Dr. Bozelka, a small animal emergency veterinarian explain...

 

🫐 K9 Blueberry Trivia🫐

 

Did You Know...? 

Blueberries make for delicious, healthy treat add-ins for your dog? From dog biscuits to frozen treats, blueberries can be included in an array of recipes your dogs will eagerly eat (if your vet says is okay for them to have).  
 
An Easy FiveSibes Recipe for Frozen Berry Yogurt Bites 
(Contains blueberries & strawberries) 
 
 

 FiveSibes #Flashbacks ~ 2015 

🫐 Bon(e) Appetit! 🫐 

 

🩵 Memories Are Visits For The Heart 🩵   

 


Important Notice:
U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
July 2026 Blueberry Recall Notice 

Frozen GreenWise-brand organic blueberries 
Product Image by FDA 
 
At the time of my writing this post, the FDA announced an "Outbreak investigation of E. coli in a specific brand of frozen organic blueberries. While the investigation is ongoing, the FDA advises the public to "Not eat, sell, or serve recalled frozen organic blueberries." According to the FDA, the blueberries in question are "Recalled frozen GreenWise-brand organic blueberries in 10-oz packages with printed lot code of 60401 and Best by Date of February 9, 2028. For full information, stores and states, and other important details, visit the FDA's announcement HERE.

 


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