Can Dogs Eat Raspberries?

Given that raspberries grow on branches that sometimes droop close to snout-level, your dog might encounter this pretty fruit on one of your walks through wilder terrain. Parents can enjoy this sweet treat, but can dogs eat raspberries as well?

The good news is that raspberries aren’t poisonous to dogs — not just that, they can also even be quite healthy in moderation. However, moderation is the keyword here, and there are a couple of things parents should be aware of before they start giving raspberries for dogs.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• Raspberries are safe for dogs to eat and the fruit can be given as a treat
• Not only can dogs eat raspberries, but there are health benefits for them doing so — they contains antioxidants, fiber and vitamins
• Dogs will eat raspberries as they are, mushed up or even frozen
• Raspberries for dogs should only be given in moderation as there can be adverse side effects from giving them too many
• Parents shouldn’t give raspberry-flavored products to dogs if they contain sugar or other harmful ingredients

Just like many other types of fruit, raspberries pack some pretty impressive nutritional perks behind the moreish taste.

Antioxidants

Raspberries are famed for their high level of antioxidants, which can boost the immune system and help ward off age-related health defects. It’s possible to find antioxidant supplements for pets, but your dog will most likely prefer them in the form of tasty fruit.

Fiber

Raspberries are also naturally high in fiber, which helps promote a healthy digestive system. Not only does it keep dogs feeling fuller for longer, it also firms up their stools and stops blood-sugar levels from spiking, which is especially useful for diabetic dogs.

Vitamins and minerals

There’s a huge roll call of the good stuff in your average plummet of raspberries, including copper, folic acid, manganese, magnesium, potassium, iron and Vitamins B-Complex, C and K. Your dog needs all of these in varying quantities to lead a healthy life.

Raspberries alone won’t keep your dog in the best of health — a wellness plan will ensure your pet has routine examinations, testings and treatments, as well as all their annual shots and boosters

OK, so after reading about the superfood qualities of raspberries, you’re interested in introducing them into your pet’s diet. How can you go about it?

Well, they’re small enough to be given as they are, although smaller pups might prefer them halved and quartered. At the same time, you should remove the stem or any leaves to avoid potential choking hazards.

Alternatively, you can put a raspberry or two into a treat toy to give your pet some mental stimulation or mush them up to be used as a tangy topper on their daily meals. They can even be frozen and given to dogs on especially hot afternoons as a cooling treat.

If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, raspberries are a versatile ingredient to use in homemade dinners or treats, but you can find the fruit already included in certain pet food recipes — just look at this lamb formula dry dog food from Happy Paws.

You might even want to try a delicious fruit cocktail. Can dogs eat raspberries and blackberries together? Yes, there’s no reason why not, but be sure to practice moderation if you’re adding multiple sweet fruits to their diet.

How Many Raspberries Can a Dog Eat?

As with all food, there are different recommended amounts of raspberries for dogs and this largely depends on their size.

If you share your home with a Toy or Miniature breed, one or two raspberries should suffice, while small varieties — think Corgis or Jack Russell Terriers — can have two or three in one sitting.

Medium-sized dogs weighing between 30 and 50 pounds can be given five to six raspberries and large pets can have a small handful — if you have an extra-large canine in your life, this handful can be a bit bigger.

This isn’t an exact science and it’s best to be a little conservative if in doubt as there are some possible side effects from overdoing the portions of raspberries for dogs.

Oh, and don’t worry if you spot red seeds in your dog’s stool after they’ve eaten raspberries — this is completely natural.

Yes, raspberries for dogs might be healthy, but in larger quantities, the nutritional benefits can be outweighed by some potentially harmful outcomes.

Too Much Fiber

There’s no denying that fiber is an integral part of a dog’s diet, but too much of anything is never good and the same is true in this instance.

A little too much fiber, or too much in one sitting, can lead to an upset stomach, flatulence, vomiting or diarrhea — equally as unpleasant for a pet as it is for a parent, we’re sure you’ll agree.

Ten raspberries contains roughly 1.24g (or 0.04oz) of fiber, which isn’t to be totally discounted when you consider the amounts your dog will also be consuming during their mealtimes, too.

If you value your nostrils, it’s best not to overdo it on the raspberries.

Too Much Sugar in Processed Variants

Part of the appeal of raspberries is their slightly sweet taste, but rather remarkably, they’re quite low in sugar — ten raspberries have 0.84g (or 0.03 oz) of sugar in total. In their natural unsweetened form, this makes them a good choice for a healthy but satisfying snack.

However, a raspberry’s sweetness is quite subtle and any product that uses the fruit as a flavoring will usually contain extra sugar or sweeteners to boost the taste.

As a result, parents should steer well clear of giving their dog any processed product containing raspberries or anything claiming to be raspberry-flavored — this includes jams and canned fruit.

Giving your dog too much sugar in their diet increases the risk of harmful health conditions, such as Obesity or Diabetes Mellitus.

Raspberries Contain Xylitol

There’s a big caveat, though. Yes, raspberries do include Xylitol, a naturally occurring sugar alcohol found in several vegetables and fruits. And yes, this substance can prove to be toxic to dogs and contribute to the development of Hypoglycemia or liver disease.

However, your dog would have to inhale some pretty large portions to experience these consequences and cases of Xylitol poisoning from raspberries are reassuringly rare.

Still, if you’ve caught your dog eating a large amount of raspberries in one go, it won’t hurt to give your vet a call and they’ll be able to decide if further action is required.

When it comes to Xylitol poisoning, pet parents should be more concerned with products that use the ingredient in greater quantity as a sweetener, often claiming to be ‘sugar-free’ in the process — this can include chewing gum, baked goods, soda, dental products or even some beauty products.

Some dogs have an innate gift for eating things they really shouldn’t — a comprehensive pet insurance policy will help out when they’ve swallowed something harmful and you can compare some of the best choices with WAG!