Last Updated: 28/03/2025
Can Dogs Eat Blueberries?
Wondering if blueberries are safe for dogs? Take a look at our guide for all the answers!
Author: Dr Carla Paszkowski BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 10 minutes - short read
Juicy, sweet, low in calories and full of antioxidants - blueberries are a healthy and satisfying snack. Despite being one of the most expensive fruits around, blueberries remain one of the most popular fruits in the world among people of all ages. And even most dogs love the taste! But are blueberries actually safe for dogs to eat?
The answer is yes! Not only are blueberries safe for your dog, but they are highly nutritious too!Always wash blueberries before feeding them to your dog, to ensure all pesticides, dirt and bugs have been removed.
Health benefits of blueberries for dogs?
Blueberries boast a number of health benefits for dogs, and are considered a superfood for humans and dogs alike.1 There is a reason berries are routinely recommended as a safe treat by veterinarians, and why many dog food manufacturers add blueberries to their recipes!
Blueberries are:
- High in nutrients including Vitamin C and K which can help promote a strong immune system
- Full of antioxidants including flavinoids
- A rich source of phytochemicals, which help fight disease and even cancer!
- High in fibre, which is great for gut health
- Only contain 57 calories per 100g - making it a great option for pups on a diet.
- Also contain no fat or cholesterol, so it's a safe treat for dogs who experience pancreatitis or IBD.
Nutritional considerations of feeding blueberries to dogs
Are blueberries high in sugar?
Yes, blueberries are a medium sugar-content fruit as they contain around 10g of sugar per 100g. This sets them apart from other berries such as strawberries or raspberries, which are very low in sugar at 4.5g per 100g.2 To compare, peaches contain 8g, apples contain 10g, and bananas contain 12g per 100g.
Can dogs eat storebought frozen blueberries?
It's generally recommended to feed your dog fresh blueberries instead of packaged frozen berries. You may wish to freeze fresh blueberries as a tasty frozen treat, but generally we advise against commercially packed frozen berries.
Storebought frozen berries are often higher in sugar than fresh fruit. Not only does freezing naturally concentrate the fruit into a more nutrient-dense state, but some manufacturers add juice or syrup to the pack to enhance the flavour.
In addition, recent outbreaks of infectious diseases from frozen berries (such as the 2015 hepatitis outbreak) have led to many experts recommending boiling or cooking frozen berries3 before eating them, to remove the risk of disease. So, generally we recommend choosing fresh berries for your dog!
How to feed your dog blueberries
Now that you know blueberries are safe for your dog, what is the best way to serve them? Blueberries can be given to your dog in a number of ways. You can feed them whole, you can freeze them and give as natural popsicle bites on a hot day, or you can blend them into a puree. You can also mash blueberries into natural sugar-free yoghurt as a delicious and extra- special treat for your dog!
References
Burke, A. 2021. Can Dogs Eat Blueberries? American Kennel Club. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-blueberries/
Blueberries 101: Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits Healthline. 2022. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods/blueberries#nutrition
Risk of Hepatitis A from frozen berries. Ministry for Primary Industries. 2022. https://www.mpi.govt.nz/news/media-releases/risk-of-hepatitis-a-from-frozen-berries
Further Reading
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History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Thu Feb 13 2025
Edited by Dr Teagan Lever BVSc (Hons)Dr Carla Paszkowski BVSc (Hons)
Veterinarian
Dr. Carla graduated from the University of Queensland in 2013 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science and worked for a number of years in small animal clinics across South East Queensland. While Carla enjoys most facets of clinical veterinary work, she holds a special passion for feline medicine, pocket pets, and nutrition.
