They’re delicious in pies, essential in muffins and damn tasty in a smoothie—yep, we can’t get enough of these brightly hued berries. But can your dog eat blueberries, too? We tapped veterinarian Dr. Katja Lang from Heart of Chelsea Animal Hospital to find out.
Good news—this tasty fruit is perfectly safe for your pup to eat. “But everything in moderation,” Dr. Lang tells us. “Even if a food is technically safe, a dog may not respond well to food he has not had before.” Meaning you should start with just a couple of berries to see how Fido reacts (and not the entire punnet).
Like strawberries, giving your pooch a fruity treat can come with some cool health benefits. (Stay clear of grapes, though, since they’re known to be highly toxic to dogs.) Specifically, blueberries are a great source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. And according to a study published in the Neurobiology of Aging j
Since blueberries are small, there’s no need to cut them up before giving to your pet (unless you have a very small pooch and are worried about choking). But make sure you rinse them first to get rid of any dirt or pesticides. One more thing to keep in mind? Per the American Kennel Club, treats should make up ten percent or less of your dog’s daily diet.