With the holiday season fast approaching, it’s vital to know what snacks you can and can’t share with your dog. What foods are dangerous for your dog? Will they be on your Thanksgiving table? Can dogs eat cranberries? In this article, we’ve covered the dangers and benefits of sharing this fruity snack with your furry friend.
We already know that we can’t share grapes and raisins with our pups, so what makes cranberries different? Are they safe? This similar berry alternative is surprisingly very safe for your pup! Keep reading to find out the hows and why’s of cranberries for dogs.
How Safe Are Cranberries For Dogs?
So, can dogs eat cranberries? Cranberries are a key component of many Thanksgiving meals. They can play a great role in a human’s diet and bring us many benefits! But what about our dogs?
Cranberries are actually very good for your furry friend! They bring a high dose of many multivitamins and much much more! Cranberries can give your dog a great dose of vitamin C, potassium, and fiber! They are low on calories and can even battle inflammation. Although it may be tempting to give your dog your Thanksgiving leftovers, you should always ask your vet first before feeding your dog any human foods.
Cranberries are tricky. Raw cranberries need a check. If not cooked down, can be a choking hazard, especially for smaller dogs. Even though fresh cranberries are small,its best to cut them into halves or quarters before feeding them especially to small breed dogs.
What To Consider When Feeding Cranberries To Your Dog?
Cranberries can be a healthy occasional snack for your pup. However, like most things, you should always keep an eye out for any dangers they may pose to your dog.
Pros
Cranberries are a key component of certain dog foods and supplements! They carry a high dose of vitamins, potassium, and fiber! Cranberries can reduce tartar and plaque buildup on your dog’s teeth. They can also lower the risk of gastrointestinal diseases and improve the health of your dog’s bladder. The acids in the fruit acidify urine and lower the urinary pH. Moderation is important no matter what snack you’re feeding your furry friend. While cranberries can help a dog’s digestive system, too many can give your pup an upset stomach. Cranberries are high in antioxidants and can boost immune system. Vets have also hypothesized that cranberries increase cognitive function, alleviate allergies, and reduce skin problems in your dog!
Cons
When feeding your dog cranberries or dried cranberries, moderation is always the key. Too many can lead to an upset stomach and possible diarrhea. If you’re sharing dried cranberries with your dog, make sure the mix you’ve bought has only 100% dried cranberries. Many dry fruits often come with other fruits, like raisins, mixed in which can cause lots of problems for your dog. You should also make sure that there is no added sugar in the mix as this can also be harmful to your pup. Check package of dried cranberries made of sugar substitute, e.g xylitol, that can be very toxic for dogs.
How Many Cranberries Can Dogs Have?
As with most foods, in humans and dogs alike, too much is never good. Although your dog can have cranberries, you should never overfeed your dog as it can have negative side effects. There are many different ways to feed cranberries to your dog as the plain sour taste may not be appealing to some. There is no exact amount as to how many cranberries your dog can eat. The best way to find out what amount is safe for your dog is by contacting your local vet.
Cranberries And Your Dog’s Health
While cranberries can be a great occasional treat for your dog, there are always risks when it comes to feeding dogs human food. If your dog has an easily upset stomach, it is probably best to avoid giving your dog cranberries unless advised to by a vet. Cranberries can be a great help when it comes to treating dog UTI, but you should always be careful about giving your dog new foods. Although cranberries can supply a much-needed dose of Vitamin C, too much can put your dog at risk of forming oxalate kidney stones and crystals. If your dog already suffers from oxalate crystals or stones, feeding your dog cranberries can increase their risk of more forming. This can lead to both bladder and kidney stones if your dog is vulnerable.
Cranberries can be both a health and a danger when it comes to any animal’s health. You should always make sure that if your vet says it is safe for your dog to eat this healthy snack, you are not overfeeding them. They can supply a great number of multi-vitamins and other nutritional benefits but, if given too many, they can cause issues and discomfort for your dog and its health. In the case of a Small dog or a senior dog with teeth issues skipping this treat may be better.
Can Dogs Have Cranberry Juice?
Although cranberry juice is not toxic to dogs, it is not recommended to be given to them because of its high sugar content. Additionally, it may also contain artificial sweetener and xylitol that is toxic to dogs.
Furthermore, cranberry juice can contribute to kidney stones and other urinary-related diseases. Some cranberry juice are mixed with grape juice which is also toxic to dogs.
Dogs Eating Cranberries – FAQs
If your vet has advised that cranberries should be added to the diet of your pup, you can look into getting dog food that has cranberries listed as one of the first few ingredients! You can also bake your own dog treats or just simply add a few to your dog’s dry or wet food.
There are also dog treats that have cranberries in them and are made to help with UTIs and other nutritional deficiencies.
If your dog isn’t interested in eating any treats with cranberry in them, you can find cranberry supplements both online and in most major pet stores. Cranberries should be used as a supplement and additive to a dog’s food or other medicines and should not be taken as a whole remedy for medical conditions.
Just like any other snack or food, anything fed to your puppy should be made specifically for puppies. Puppies have a weaker stomach and require more nutrition than fully grown dogs. A sudden difference in nutrition can cause your puppy to have an upset stomach and loose stool. It can cause diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pains, and much worse for your pup.
If you’re wanting to add cranberries to your puppies diet, ask your vet. The best opinions about your dog’s health will come from someone who knows your dog firsthand.
While both regular cranberries and dried cranberries present the same nutritional value, it’s important to keep in mind what may be added to each option. As cranberries are typically prepared for humans, companies won’t hesitate to add extra sugar or flavoring to certain foods.
When you’re buying cranberries for your dog, make sure to read the packaging to check for any additional ingredients. You should keep an eye out for added sugars and flavorings as well as raisins and other fruits in dry cranberry mixes. Make sure to check the ingredients on all human foods you may be included in your dog’s diet.
This holiday season you can share a fruity snack with your furry friend! What will cranberries bring to your dog’s diet? Cranberries pack a punch full of vitamin c, potassium, and fiber that your furry friend is sure to love!