Mary Allen
Surely you know this everyday situation too well: Something falls off the cutting board and faster than you can see, your four-legged friend is already attacking it.
It can be similar when chilling on the couch:
You’re snacking on trail mix while watching a Netflix series and you drop a cranberry.
Now you’re wondering, “Can dogs eat cranberries?”
We explain it to you!
In a nutshell: Can my dog eat cranberries?
Yes, your dog can eat cranberries in small amounts. You can feed them raw and dried. However, most dogs prefer dried berries because they are less acidic.
You can only give your dog dried cranberries that do not contain any added sugar. For better digestibility, you should soak the berries before feeding.
Are Cranberries Healthy For Dogs?
Cranberries contain a lot of antioxidants, bioflavonoids, and a lot of vitamin C.
Regular consumption can have a positive effect on the health of your four-legged friend:
- The best known is the positive effect on the bladder and urinary tract.
- Furthermore, the B vitamins it contains are good for the nerves and immune system of your furry friend.
- The berries are said to be able to inhibit cancer.
Cranberries can help against bladder infections
As a natural remedy, cranberries can help with a bladder infection. They have an anti-inflammatory effect and can thereby relieve the pain when urinating.
Feeding cranberries can effectively prevent painful bladder infections. Small dogs in particular are at risk of contracting a bladder infection on cold days.
The same applies if your dog is generally prone to bladder infections.
Unlike medication, feeding cranberries can cure cystitis once and for all. With medication, it is not uncommon for the inflammation to return again and again.
Cranberry juice or cranberry extract is best suited for this. The reason is that some dogs unfortunately discard or spit out the sour berries in the bowl because they are too sour for them.
In the form of juice or extract, this is not possible for your darling. This gives you the security of knowing that your dog is actually eating the cranberry juice or cranberry extract.
For the best possible effect, you should make sure to feed the right amount. For example, while a well-known manufacturer of cranberry extract recommends 1-3 capsules a day, the dose for cranberry juice is significantly higher. The reason is that an extract is significantly stronger in composition.
If your dog suffers from calcium oxalate urinary stones, it should not eat cranberries. The reason is that the urinary stones can multiply due to the oxalate it contains.
Always ask your trusted vet if you can feed your dog cranberries!
Good to know:
If you want to feed your dog cranberries (in whatever form) if they have a bladder infection, you should inquire about the correct amount so that they can get the best possible benefit from the ingredients. The amount depends on the weight of your four-legged friend.
How to feed your dog cranberries
Your dog can eat the fruit both fresh and dried. However, the dried cranberries have a much sweeter taste. It is best to mix the berries with the feed. Some dogs also eat them plain.
If your dog discards the cranberries from the food, you can give him the fruit elsewhere. In the drugstore you can get unsweetened organic cranberry juice. Add a few drops of it to the drinking bowl.
In this way, your darling can also benefit from the positive properties. While the water can taste a little bitter, we can tell you from our own experience that a thirsty dog will still drink the water and juice mixture.
Pay attention to the list of ingredients when buying
When buying dried cranberries or cranberry juice, make sure that no sugar has been added. Dogs should not eat processed sugar, consumption can have a negative impact on their health.
Conclusion: Can dogs eat cranberries?
Yes, your dog can eat cranberries. The sour berries contain numerous antioxidants, which can have a positive effect on the health of your four-legged friend.
Eating cranberries can cure a bladder infection. They also relieve pain when urinating.
Make sure you only feed unsweetened cranberries. Sugar can make cystitis and the pain that comes with it worse.
If your dog doesn’t like fresh or dried cranberries, you can feed them cranberry juice or cranberry extract as an alternative.
Do you have any questions? Then leave a comment now!