Joseph Roetheli, PhD
Highlights:
Blueberries are generally considered safe for dogs and can be used as treats for your pup.
It’s important to make sure you aren’t giving your dog too many blueberries and that you aren’t giving them blueberry products mixed with sugar.
A solution for giving your dog a nutritious treat that also benefits their oral health is to offer them Yummy Combs® each day.
We love to see our dogs happy, and giving them a treat is one of the primary ways we bond with them, reward them, and see those happy little tails wagging. Most pet owners don’t stop to consider what is inside the treats we offer our dogs, and some dog treats may contain ingredients that don’t support their health.
Additionally, giving our dogs too many treats can lead to weight gain. An option is to offer dogs fresh fruits and vegetables, like blueberries.
We’ll discuss the safety of blueberries, the benefits for your dog’s health, and precautions to take when offering your dog blueberries. We’ll also discuss how Yummy Combs are clinically proven to support your dog’s nutrition and oral health while providing a safe and delicious treat.
Blueberries can be a nutritious treat for dogs. They are packed with vitamins and minerals that dogs need and also contain fiber to help your dog with digestion. Blueberries contain vitamins A, C, and K, as well as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium. These are all essentials for your dog, making blueberries a powerhouse of nutrients.
Blueberries do contain sugar. If your dog has diabetes, blueberries may not be a good option for them. Instead, you can opt for fresh veggie slices like cucumbers or zucchini. These are also nutrient-rich and well-loved by dogs but do not contain the sugar that some fruits do.
Blueberries are most useful when you are training your dog. They are small and make tiny, bite-size rewards that contain fewer calories than typical dog treats. If you’re attempting to teach your dog a new command, offering a blueberry as a reward can be helpful.
You can also offer your dog blueberries as a small snack. Giving them a few blueberries (depending on their size and breed) can be a delicious treat to offer after a hike or walk or as a special celebration.
An extra-large dog (weighing over 90 pounds) can be given a small handful of blueberries at one time. Using that as a guideline, it’s important to remember that most dogs will only need a few blueberries for a treat or snack.
Small breeds like miniature dachshunds or terriers will only need one to two blueberries. If you are using blueberries as a training treat, opt for very small berries or slice them in half.
Most dogs tolerate blueberries very well. It’s always a good rule of thumb to check with their veterinarian first to make sure they don’t have a health condition that could make blueberries a bad option. Likewise, it’s probably best to make sure your dog is within a healthy weight range before offering treats like blueberries.
Once your dog is all-clear for blueberries, there are a few considerations to remember:
If you want to offer your dog blueberries, remember that their tummies and bodies are much smaller than ours and that their dietary needs are not the same. Even extra-large breeds do not need massive amounts of fruit.
Anytime you offer a treat to your pet, you’ll want to follow a few simple rules to make sure your pet is safe and healthy.
Blueberries contain about one calorie per berry. Dogs need an average amount of calories per day to maintain their weight. You can use the following formula for a rough guideline of how many calories your dog needs:
30 X (dog’s weight in kilograms) + 70 =Total daily caloric need
This means if you have a 20-pound dog, they only need to consume about 340 calories per day to maintain their weight. It’s important to check their kibble to see how many calories it contains and reduce the kibble by the amount of blueberries you offer your dog.
Because blueberries can be a choking hazard, it is incredibly important to monitor your dog when you offer them this food. If your dog is prone to hiding treats, blueberries may not be a good option. Blueberries that are hidden could also spoil and attract insects.
For dogs that tend to gulp treats, offer them one single blueberry at a time to prevent the urge to gulp.
Blueberries do contain sugar, but they may also have some health benefits for your dog’s teeth. The fiber in blueberries can deter plaque from sticking to your dog’s teeth, but if you aren’t taking care of your dog’s teeth by brushing them daily, blueberries will not protect them from tooth decay or gum disease.
Taking care of your dog’s teeth should be just as important to pet owners as rewarding their pets with treats.
By the time they are three years old, 80% of dogs will have some form of gum disease, but only 30% of dog owners will know it. Unfortunately, gum disease can have serious negative health effects on your dog.
Left untreated, gum disease can lead to system illness and even organ failure, but the good news is that gum disease is treatable and preventable by being proactive about your dog’s dental care.
Most dogs will receive yearly dental cleanings with their veterinarian. In between, you’ll need to brush your dog’s teeth daily. Using dog-safe toothpaste and a soft-bristle brush, you can keep your dog’s teeth clean and even help reduce bad breath. In addition, offering your dog Yummy Combs can help remove hardened tartar and keep their teeth even cleaner.
Yummy Combs offer balanced nutrition, expert oral care, and a safe experience for your dog. When offering your dog a treat, it’s the only dental chew available that can boast tartar removal.
Yummy Combs’ unique honeycomb design is wide enough to deter gulping. The thin walls inside the honeycomb design dissolve rapidly in your dog’s mouth.
Our proprietary Slick’M™ ingredient helps our digested treats easily dissolve to deter blockages. Yummy Combs are a treat you can feel confident will be safe for your dog to eat, and they are available in differing sizes.
Only Yummy Combs brand treats are scientifically proven to remove up to 25% of hardened tartar on your dog’s teeth. Removal of tartar can help prevent gum disease, which can lead to tooth decay, tooth loss, and even systemic illness. The design of Yummy Combs allows for 360-degree scrubbing and flossing on teeth surfaces to keep them clean.
Reducing your dog’s kibble to allow for treat consumption can lead to gaps in your dog’s diet. It’s important to make sure the treats you are giving your dog make up for the nutrients they are missing from the kibble.
Yummy Combs contain 44% chicken protein and 12 wellness ingredients to offer a complete and balanced nutrition profile that ensures your dog gets the vitamins and minerals they need.
Blueberries can be a good option for an occasional treat or snack, but for daily use, Yummy Combs are the treats that keep your dog’s tail wagging, their teeth clean, and their bodies healthy.
Giving your dog Yummy Combs can help prevent oral health issues that could lead to bigger issues. Less dog breath, healthier teeth and gums, and longer, healthier lives are worthy goals that both you and your dog can appreciate.
Sources:
Can Dogs Eat Blueberries? | AKC
Can Dogs Eat Blueberries? | PetMD
Relation between periodontal disease and systemic diseases in dogs | ScienceDirect
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Always feed the right treat size for your dog’s weight category. Always supervise your dog when feeding treats. This product is an adult only dog treat. Always provide ample fresh water for your dog.
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