Can German Shepherds Eat Blueberries? 5 Reasons Why They Should
Can German Shepherds Eat Blueberries?
Many people love giving their dogs some extra fruit as a treat. If you have a German Shepherd, you may have wondered can German Shepherds eat blueberries. I’ll share 5 reasons you should consider adding them to your dog’s diet.
The popular belief is that dogs are carnivorous; on the contrary, they are omnivorous animals which means their diet can be both plant and animal-based.
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However, for your dog to be healthy, its diet should include meats and plants in equal proportion to maintain a balanced diet.
Can German Shepherds Eat Blueberries? Yes! Most dogs enjoy blueberries because they are so tasty, Blueberries are a good source of vitamin C, fiber, and phytochemicals, all of which are beneficial to your dog’s health. Although blueberries are delicious and nutritious, they can be toxic to your dog for multiple reasons.
Benefits of blueberries for German Shepherds
Blueberries may appear to be nothing more than a tasty treat, but they are much more. Feeding them to your dog has a lot of advantages which I will discuss below;
1. Antioxidant Properties
As your dog gets older, metabolic waste products begin to accumulate, speeding up the onset of age-related ailments.
These waste products are known as free radicals, which majorly contribute to the aging process and cause degenerative diseases. To prevent these, you must keep your dogs diet under control.
Blueberries contain antioxidants, potentially reducing oxidative damage and related illnesses such as arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, and kidney problems.
2. Contain essential vitamins and minerals
Apart from possessing antioxidant properties, blueberries are also a rich source of vitamins and other trace elements.
It contains vitamin A, which keeps the skin smooth, fluffy, and moisturized. It can possibly prevent skin diseases and hair loss in your furry friend.
The vitamin C present in blueberries promotes wound healing, reduces inflammation, and boosts your German Shepherd’s immune system.
At the same time, phytochemicals help prevent cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
3. Low caloric value
Providing a low-calorie snack to your German Shepherd will help prevent diabetes and obesity. Blueberries have low calories, which makes them an excellent treat or reward for your pet.
4. Contains fiber
Blueberries have a lot of fiber in them. Fiber promotes bowel movements, which keeps your dog healthy.
5. Contain Anthocyanin
Blueberries have anthocyanins, which are responsible for their blue/purple colors. These anthocyanins work together with antioxidants to significantly minimize the risk of severe ailments in your dog, such as heart problems, osteoarthritis, and diabetes.
Are blueberries toxic for dogs?
Before making any changes to your dog’s diet, always consult your vet. They are specialists in the dietary requirements of various dog breeds and may provide you with helpful information.
Although blueberries are delicious and nutritious, they can be toxic in some situations. These includes:
1. Choking
Many owners like to feed their pets iced blueberries as a special treat. Although mature German Shepherds can eat one frozen blueberry, puppies and smaller dogs could choke on them.
Therefore, chilled or fresh blueberries are preferable.
2. Digestive problems
When eaten in excess, the high sugar and fiber content in blueberries can cause an upset stomach and as well irritate your dog’s pancreas.
3. Allergies
Although blueberry allergies are unusual in dogs, you should keep an eye on them while feeding them for the first time to watch for any allergic reactions.
Carry them to the vet immediately if you see any puffiness, persistent itching, or even digestive problems like constipation or vomiting.
4. Medical problems
While many dogs enjoy blueberries, they are not suitable for all canines. If your dog has an underlying medical problem such as diabetes or pancreatitis, seek your vet’s advice before serving them any fruit.
How many blueberries can I give my dog?
Portion control is vital with any fruit or vegetable. Treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s diet and should be given on rare occasions.
In smaller dogs, 8-10 blueberries are adequate. Although Larger dogs may handle more, always remember the 10% ratio while giving them treats.
What berries can dogs not eat?
You must be aware of which fruits are not suitable for dogs to consume. For example, berries that aren’t good for dogs frequently contain toxic chemicals poisonous to dogs. Below is a list of the berry fruits you should not feed your pet.
1. Holly Berry
It is an invasive plant that belongs to the Aquifoliaceae species with up to 400-600 species. Holly fruit ranges in color from red, brown, and black, and also comes in green and yellow, although it is rare.
These berries are poisonous to both dogs and human beings. They contain cyanogen, saponin, and methylxanthine, which can induce nausea and diarrhea. Also, Because of its spiky leaves, ingesting it might result in internal damage.
2. Juniper Berry
It is not a true berry. Instead, the fruit looks like a seed cone, and a variety of juniper species produce it. The Romans utilized the fruit as a substitute for long and black pepper. European cooks use it for some of their dishes as well.
The fruit can be used in various recipes. However, the Juniperus Sabina species is dangerous due to toxic chemicals such as ethereal oil. In addition, it can be harmful to your dog’s health if he consumes too many juniper berries. The fruit has the following side effects: include:
- Low blood glucose
- Kidney problems
- Seizures or convulsions
3. Baneberry
The baneberry is a plant that belongs to the Ranunculaceae species, and its fruits are highly poisonous. The fruits come in white or red colors, and their leaves have sharp edges.
Baneberry contains poisonous chemicals such as glucosides and ranunculus. It also has a harsh flavor and is very acidic, which irritates the gastrointestinal tract of dogs. The following are some symptoms of baneberry poisoning:
- Skin reactions
- Bloody urine
- Cardiovascular diseases
4. Pokeberry
Pokeberry flowers are usually green or white colors, while the fruits come in purple or black. They grow in grasslands, along fences, wastelands, and woodlands. As a result of its danger to man and animals, farmers do not cultivate it. Pokeberries can kill a dog if they eat them; symptoms include:
- Hypotension
- Intestinal inflammation
- Watery stools
- Rectal bleeding
5. Mistletoe Berry
Mistletoe is a well-known plant since it is frequently used for Christmas decorations. Unfortunately, it contains pectin, which is detrimental to the vital organs of dogs. Symptoms to watch out for if your dog has injected mistletoe includes:
- Hypotension
- Stooling
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Staggering
Check out for more berries that your dog can’t eat.
