Are Cranberries a Holiday Hazard For Your Dog?
There is one key ingredient that is a Thanksgiving staple found in so many holiday meals, desserts and treats: cranberries! While it’s known to be a superfood for humans because it’s high in antioxidants, can dogs eat cranberries?
YES! Cranberries can also hold superfood qualities when your dog eats them, however, according to the American Kennel Club, dogs should really only eat fresh or boiled cranberries in small quantities. Cranberries are LOADED with vitamins and minerals, including:
Vitamin B1
Vitamin B2
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Vitamin K
Copper
Manganese
Now, what does this mean for your dog? Lots of health benefits!
Cranberries are packed with antioxidants, which are nature’s superheroes because they neutralize dangerous free radicals that can lead to a lot of health problems. There is a plant compound that is packed in cranberries called proanthocyanidins which helps to support your dog’s immune health, a healthy inflammatory response, prevent tartar and plaque build up on your dog’s teeth and promote bladder health. BUT this is only achieved with unsweetened cranberries for your dog to eat.
Speaking of your dog’s teeth, cranberries have properties that don’t let bacteria stick to their teeth and can even help reduce the amount of plaque that is created in their mouth. Something that can help your dog’s oral health has a pet parents stamp of approval!
Cranberries also contain quercetin, a natural anti-inflammatory. Inflammation can lead to heart disease, cancer and arthritis, so giving your dog some unsweetened cranberries can help support a healthy inflammatory response! You can also find this ingredient in other dark fruits such as apples, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries.
If you take anything away from what benefits come from cranberries, basically unsweetened cranberries add good stuff to your dog’s body and eliminate the bad stuff - but only in limited amounts. Too many cranberries can lead to tummy issues such as vomiting, an upset stomach or diarrhea.
Fresh or dried cranberries are the best way to go for your dog, but you should be careful when it comes to dried cranberries and cranberry juice. Cranberry juice can sometimes be mixed with grape juice and dried cranberries can be mixed with raisins, which are two things that are toxic to dogs. If your dog seems to be feeling a little low after you’ve given them either of these snacks, double check the ingredients in the juice and dried cranberries for any signs of grapes or raisins. Always keep an eye on their symptoms and call the vet with any questions or concerns, especially if grapes and raisins were involved with the cranberries.
Cranberry sauce should also be monitored while given to your dog because it can also lead to some severe symptoms. A very small amount probably won’t harm your dog, but pet parents should be careful if the cranberry sauce gets mixed with other fruits. Again, homemade and canned cranberry sauce can sometimes have raisins, grapes or currants mixed in, which are all toxic to dogs. Cranberry sauce is also high in sugar and too much sugar in a dog can give them indigestion or cause a bad reaction, especially if your dog has diabetes or is sensitive to sugar.
So how do you safely feed cranberries to your dog? By following 3 simple rules:
Introduce them slowly. Start by giving your dog a small amount of cranberries to see how they react.
Choose the right form. Fresh or dried cranberries are the best options when it comes to snacks for your dog. Stay away from any juices or sauces, especially those with added sugars.
Serve them in small portions. Even though cranberries are deemed safe, they should still only be given in small amounts. You can offer them as a treat or mix them with your dog’s regular meals for added flavor and nutrition.
Adding cranberries to your dog’s diet in moderation is the best way to introduce these superfoods. They are low in calories, which makes them a great snack to give dogs that are trying to manage their weight and the natural sweetness of them comes with no added sugars. Cranberries can be a healthier alternative to many store-bought dog treats and a great addition to your dog's holiday meals!
If you want to keep the cheer going with your furry friend, keep the walkies going! A daily dog walker would be a great addition to your dog’s winter routine to keep them getting fresh air and exercise even if the weather outside is frightful for you. Let Going Mutts Pet Services find you the paw-fect dog walker to check one more thing off of your list. Contact us today to see how we can help with all of your pet care needs!
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