Yes, dogs can eat blackberries when served plain and in healthy amounts. As always, it never hurts to talk to your veterinarian before you offer your dog any new food, but generally speaking, blackberries are okay for dogs to eat every once in a while.
The health benefits of blackberries for dogs
The blackberry can give your dog a bounty of health benefits. Packed with vitamins A, C, and K, high in fiber, and low in sugar content, the blackberry provides powerful antioxidant properties, Omega-3 fatty acids, and trace amounts of potassium, calcium, zinc, copper, and manganese.
Tasty ways to serve your dog blackberries
Hand-fed pieces: The healthiest way to offer your dog blackberries is to serve them fresh one by one. If you have a small dog, usually one or two will suffice, while if you have a bigger dog, you can give them a handful.
In the bowl: You can also serve blackberries smashed, diced, or pureed in your dog’s bowl, so long as there are no additional ingredients.
In smoothies: You can mix blackberries into smoothies with other fresh, healthy fruits – like peaches, mangoes, strawberries, or bananas.
Watch out for human foods containing blackberries – like pies or cobblers – that usually contain high sugar content, artificial sweeteners, or seasonings that may cause indigestion.
Pet Pro Tip: If you have a dog that is prone to ‘snacksidents’ – you should consider getting a dog insurance plan as soon as possible. It can help you afford the best care in the future by covering eligible vet bills for digestive illnesses, toxic ingestion, and more.
FAQs
How many blackberries can my dog eat?
Small dogs can have a few berries, and large dogs may eat a handful with no side effects. The best advice is to follow the 10/90% treat rule – 90% of your dog’s diet should be their regular dog food, and 10% can be healthy treats.
How will I know if my dog eats too many blackberries?
Anytime you give your dog food with a high-fiber content like blackberries, there’s always a chance of an upset stomach. Too much fiber in a dog’s diet can lead to gas, indigestion, vomiting, or diarrhea. Offer your dog only a few berries at a time.
Tip: Blackberries carry a trace amount of xylitol, a natural occurring sweetener found in fruits and vegetables. Your dog would have to eat a lot of blackberries to ingest a toxic amount, but in the event you come home to a whole carton of blackberries gobbled up, watch for excessive diarrhea or vomiting, blood in their poop, seizures, weakness or loss of coordination, and collapse. Call your vet immediately if your dog displays any of these symptoms.
Are wild blackberries safe for my dog?
As long as you know they are blackberries and wash them off to remove any dirt or pesticides, wild blackberries can be safe. However, it’s usually not worth the risk. You’ll want to avoid other wild berries like holly berries, juniper berries, and mistletoe berries. These wild berries contain toxins that are harmful to your dog.
Can my dog have canned or frozen blackberries?
Once thawed, frozen blackberries with no added sugar are okay. However, frozen berries may present a choking hazard, especially for small dogs.
Canned blackberries, or any product containing blackberries like pies, jams, muffins, etc., have too much sugar and added ingredients that may be too harsh on your dog’s stomach.
In sum, plain blackberries with no added ingredients are the safest form to feed your dog. Based on your dog’s size and health status, as little one blackberry to as much as a handful can be fed to your dog. When in doubt, check in with your veterinarian for advice.
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