Can Dogs Eat Cranberries? Here’s What You Need to Know About These Sweet Treats

Cranberries are one of the most popular health snacks that dog owners share with their furry friends. But, the million-dollar question is, can dogs eat cranberries? And, is it safe for them?

Well, the answer is both a yes and a no. Technically speaking, cranberries are not toxic for your pet. If consumed in moderate amounts, these treats are safe. Likewise, it can even give canines a handful of health benefits. However, just like most human foods, cranberries also pose a few risks for your dog.

Can Puppies Eat Cranberries Safely?

Can dogs have cranberries? Are they safe for puppies? Cranberries can be cooked or eaten raw by your puppies, and it is best to give them a berry before sugar or other ingredients have been added into your homemade cranberry sauce.

You might also want to refrain from giving them a sip of the cranberry juice as it has high amounts of fructose, corn syrup, and other types of sweeteners. It would help if you also kept the cranberry tarts and similar desserts entirely off-limits for puppies. These food items contain added sugars that will do more harm than good to your pet.

Are Cranberries Good For Dogs?

Both dried and fresh cranberries are safe to share with your dogs. But it should only be in small quantities. Whether your pet dog will like it or not is another question. Nevertheless, moderation is crucial when feeding some cranberries to dogs as with any treats because many cranberries may lead to an upset stomach. Sometimes, dried cranberries come mixed with other dried fruits, including raisins. Raisins are toxic to dogs, and even a little amount of this may cause issues for some small dog breeds. Prepared cranberry juices and dishes can also be risky. Juices that have grape juice are very dangerous to canines. Similarly, cranberry dishes that contain significant amounts of alcohol, sugar, or some ingredients are also bad for your pets.

Can Dogs Eat Dried Cranberries?

Several dog owners like to share dried cranberries with their pets while they are munching on them. Generally, cranberry consumers source them out from the supermarket in dried or juice form. 

Eating raw and fresh cranberries is not precisely the best of experiences for a lot of people. Dried cranberries are more tasty and delicious to eat. But, sharing them regularly with your dogs something that you should avoid. 

Dried fruits usually have lesser nutritional value than fresh ones. It has fewer nutrients, minerals and water. Likewise, they have preservatives and plenty of sugar. Continually giving your pet this food item will negatively impact their health. 

Additionally, dried fruits are known to cause diarrhea and upset stomach in various dog breeds. Therefore, avoid feeding your pet dried cranberries. Instead, choose fresh and natural fruits for them.

Can Dogs Have Cranberries?

Yes, they can have cranberries. However, make sure that you give it to them in moderate amounts. Eating numerous cranberries at once may upset the stomach of your dog and cause diarrhea. Overall, dogs can eat cranberries as these can help in treating urinary tract infections.

READ MORE:

• TYPES OF BERRIES FOR DOGS
• CAN DOGS EAT STRAWBERRIES?
• CAN DOGS EAT GRAPES?

Cranberries Health Benefits

Cranberries have plenty of health benefits for dogs. These include the following:

• It helps cures stomach ulcers in dogs and humans alike.
• It helps in healing bladder and urinary tract infections in canines. However, you must never solely rely on giving your pet cranberries or cranberry juice for them to recover from a urinary tract infection. When your pet has UTI, seek veterinary attention. The cranberries will only be a supplement to the treatment process.
• Cranberries are rich in vitamins C, A B1 and B2.
• Cranberries have minerals, including manganese.
• It is an excellent source of polyphenol antioxidants that help fight against cancer cell formation and improve the immune system.
• These fruits provide your dog with quality dietary fiber for easy passage of stool.
• It has phytochemicals that fight off aging and assist in keeping their coordination, balance, and memory.
• Cranberries help improve a dog’s vision.
• It enhances good cholesterol levels or HDL in your pet and lowers the harmful cholesterol levels or LDL.
• It helps improve the cardiovascular system and prevent cardiovascular diseases. 
• Maintain the maximum efficiency of blood vessels and regulate your pet’s blood pressure all the time.
• Cranberries help fight plaque formation on your dog’s teeth, thus preventing any dental decay.

Wrap up

Now that you know cranberries are safe and beneficial for dogs, you might wonder how to serve them to your pet. If your dog enjoys the fresh cranberries’ taste, you may provide them with fresh cranberries as treats. But, if your dog does not like fresh cranberries, don’t worry. There are plenty of ways for you to add cranberries into their diet. You may try including cranberry juice or cranberry powder for home-cooked dog meals.