Blueberries are rich in vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, and fibers. They also contain phytochemicals (naturally occurring chemical compounds found in plants). Basically, blueberries contain many health benefits to both human and animals.
The most notable of such benefits is fighting free radicals that cause cell damage and aging. According to research, blueberries contain 90% carbohydrates as well as 5%, fats, and 4% protein. Can dogs eat blueberries? The answer is YES. Therefore, if your goal is to have a healthy dog, add blueberries to its diet.
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Nutrients In Blueberries That Are Of Health Benefit To Dogs
As we have already mentioned, your canine friend will benefit immensely from consuming blueberries. This is because of the abundant minerals that these berries contain, some of which we shall discuss below.
Low-Calorie Content
Because of the low-calorie contents, the dog is not likely to gain weight or become obese. Therefore, it is safe and advisable to use blueberries as a reward treat for your dog during a training exercise.
Also, because it is low in sugar, it may be appropriate to feed blueberries to dogs that suffer from diabetes. However, it is advised you check with your vet before introducing any new food to a dog that suffers from diabetes.
High In Vitamin C, Fiber, And Antioxidants
Vitamin C and fiber are essential components in the nutritional requirement of dogs. Fibers help digestion and prevent harmful bacteria from forming in the gut. It aids the colon to recover from injury and even helps in reducing constipation and diarrhea in the dog. Fibers also help in maintaining a healthy weight due to its filling effect.
Therefore, foods rich in vitamin C, fiber and antioxidants can immensely boost the immune system of your dog. Additionally, such foods also help fight to age in the dog’s brain. They further help fight other debilitating conditions like cardiovascular disease and the common cold, both of which are common among aging canines.
Good Sources Of Antioxidants
Blueberries contain antioxidants that strengthen the immune systems by fighting free radicals, naturally. So when does oxidation occur? Oxidation occurs when the dog exercises, breathes and breaks down food (digestion). This process produces stable molecules called free radicals.
It is important to mention that oxidation takes place in virtually any form of activity the dog engages in. Therefore, the formation of free radicals is a continual process. Antioxidants, one of the ingredients found in blueberries, come in handy by fighting these free radicals. Remember, the accumulation of free radicals over time has been associated with aging.
Therefore, geriatric dogs can benefit immensely from the consumption of food rich in antioxidants to prevent free radicals from damaging their cells. When these free radicals damage the cells of a dog, the dog becomes more vulnerable to diseases.
Studies have also shown that diets rich in antioxidants reduce cognitive dysfunction in aging dogs. What are these free radicals? Free radicals are natural by-products of metabolism. The body produces them in greater-than-normal amounts when the dog is;
- Sick
- Exposed to toxins
- Suffers from poor nutrition
How Free Radicals Work
Free radicals contain oxygen but are missing electrons, which makes them highly reactive. So, they attack and take electrons from cell membranes, proteins as well as DNA, a process that consequently turns them to free radicals. On the other hand, antioxidants can donate electrons to free radicals without losing their essence.
As a result of this action, antioxidants break the cycle of molecular and cellular damage. So if a dog is to maintain a robust immune system throughout his life, he needs a healthy dietary source of antioxidant. And blueberries are a great source of that, among other nutritional sources.
What Does Research Say?
Studies conducted on geriatric dogs that were fed diets enriched with antioxidants revealed the following;
- Such dogs were able to learn complex tasks with more success than those on a controlled diet. This research hypothesized that oxidative damage contributes to brain aging in dogs.
- That older dogs that were served diets enriched with antioxidants were less likely to suffer from age-related behavioral changes associated with cognitive declines. These include excessive licking and patterned pacing.
These dogs were also able to recognize family members and other animals more efficiently than the controlled groups. Further, they were able to display more significant attributes of agility. Antioxidants have also been shown to promote immune system activities in young animals before vaccination was implemented.
The Ugly Side Of Blueberries
Blueberries Contain Fiber
Blueberries contain fiber, and as such, too much of it in a dog’s system can be harmful. So, while it is quite safe to serve blueberries for your dog, you should exercise caution, especially if you have a blueberry garden in your house.
You should ensure he is not going to the yard to help himself to more blueberries than necessary. This is because too much fiber in his system can cause the dog to have diarrhea or stomach upset.
Allergic Reaction To The Consumption Of Blueberries
One of the reasons pet owners make emergency trips to the vet is due to toxicity. Toxicity can manifest in various ways, including allergies and aversions. Like us, dogs too can have food allergies.
When you feed the dog blueberries for the first time, try to see if you can notice the following signs.
- Ear inflammation
- Chronic gas
- Diarrhea
- Or any other gastrointestinal issues.
In case you notice any of these signs, then make that trip to your vet without any further delay.
Choking Hazards
Blueberries are small and soft. Therefore, you do not need to cut them into small pieces. However, frozen blueberries are usually hard, so be careful about feeding frozen berries to your dog, especially if you have a dog that gobbles down its food. This is a precautionary measure you should take to curb choking incidences.
Also, choking hazards are not only limited to frozen blueberries, as a dog that eats fresh blueberries and still gobbles down its food can still experience choking. With small dogs, it is advised you do not feed them blueberries directly to avoid choking. Instead, the blueberries can be smashed and added to its food.
Conclusion
While it is essential to appreciate the benefits that blueberries offer to dogs, it is important to remember that a balanced diet is vital.
Therefore, eating of blueberries alone does not constitute a balanced diet. And with the introduction of new foods, fruits, and supplements, it is advised you consult with your vet before introducing blueberries to the dog.
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