Let us start by saying, you are doing such an admirable job as a pet parent. We are extremely proud of you! The best thing you can do for your dear little friend is to make sure what it is being fed is safe and healthy. Your dog will often be tempted to munch on everything that meets its eye. Yes, they are that thrill-loving! If you have been parenting a dog for a while now, you would know exactly what we are talking about. Nonetheless, you will have to be the one to limit its adventures. One of the many ways to do this is to satisfy its dietary needs and food temptations yourself. This will leave behind no reason for it to put its beak where it doesn’t belong.
We know birds and fruits go hand in hand like bread and jam. If there is anything we know about birds, it is that they cannot resist fruits. Those too, blueberries! All their loyalties lay with the tasteful bite the second they spot it. However, are they safe for them? Just because they are fond of something does not mean it is free of health hazards. They can be deemed the worst judges of their health. That is why you have to be the boss in this situation. For example, if you are eating an apple your dog will insist you share it. Little does it know, the seeds of an apple can be devastatingly harmful to them. Similar is the case with dried blueberries, your feathery fellow will want to break all bounds to eat them, but are they safe? Let’s find out.
Can dogs eat dried blueberries?
Yes! You may allow your dog to dig in dried blueberries without any hesitation or worry. Hurray! We know how excited dog owners are to let their birds taste anything off routine. It is only fair that they get to eat everything we do, if not better right?
We bet the exciting feeling you have to see how your bird likes the fruits has reached its epitome. But wait! That’s not all. There is still more you need to know about. If you take away the ‘yes’ as an answer, you will miss out on integral information. So sit back and let us inform you about all we got to know from our research.
Your bird can eat dried blueberries (literally speaking) but they are not recommended. Health experts and animal doctors both agree that fresh fruits have a bonus point above dried ones. Especially when it comes to blueberries. Don’t get us wrong! Dried berries are not toxic to your dog’s health. They are just not the best choice.
What is the difference between dried blueberries and freshly ripened blueberries?
The major concern that comes along with any food that is fed to a dog is the amount they take. dogs are often unable to process and break down an excess quantity of food. Similarly, if a dog eats fresh blueberries it is likely to eat only a few. This is because they are comparatively bigger and require more time to be broken down and swallowed. Whereas on the other hand, a dried blueberry is far decreased in size. Thus, there is little to no mouth work required in eating blueberries that are dried. For this reason, your dog will hastily eat one after another.
We know what you must be thinking, why is that a problem? That is exactly the question we are trying to get you to wrap your finger around. The key point in this topic of debate is the sugar content a berry contains. It is a common misconception that dried fruit has lost its essence over time. We are here to inform you that it is an entirely false statement. The contents and the ingredients of the fruits stay the same, no matter how long they have been left for.
Therefore, dried blueberries will give your dog twice the number of calories, fresh ones would’ve. Similarly, the portion of glucose (sugar) it intakes will double as well. Eating too much sugar over a stretched period can be detrimental to your dog’s wellbeing. It is capable of eventually leading to bigger health complexities like obesity etc. An obese dog is not only extremely lethargic and has difficulty moving but might also be susceptible to heart diseases.
Did you know?
A few types of research that have been conducted regarding the sugar levels of a dog have had informative and surprising results. You might be awestruck to know that dogs might even undergo behavioral changes upon having had too much sugar. Some of the common indications of such are;
- Plucking of feathers
- Irritability
- Common indications of anger
- Anxiety (only in some cases)
Be mindful of the fact that what might only be minimal for you may be too much for your dog. Another minor difference between the two is that fresh berries are an excellent source of vitamin C but dried berries lack it in every manner.
How should you feed dried blueberries to your dog?
The key to feeding anything aside from a dog’s diet food is to do so in moderation. In this particular method of adoption, they will also get a taste of it and it won’t be harmful in the least either. It is advised to feed dried blueberries to your precious feathery pet along with a mix of other fruits. You may also add vegetables as per the preference of your bird. Serving them in the form of a salad will free you of several worries as well. Most importantly, the constant stress that they are gaining a surplus amount of sugar may be canceling all of the fruit’s benefits.
In case of the unavailability of fruits or vegetables aside from dried berries, you might want to feed the dogs by hand. You will get to spend quality time with your bird and put a strict limit on the amount they eat. Two benefits in one simple action!
How frequently can you serve your dog-dried blueberries?
A dog’s diet is to have approximately 30% portion of fruits and vegetables. The rest is occupied by its daily pet food. The number of blueberries you feed your pet should not entirely overshadow the entire margin of treats and snacks. They should only make up a chunk of it, so your pet gets to devour numerous different tastes. Keeping all of this in our mind, a conclusion of feeding your dog-dried blueberries 3 or 4 times per week can be drawn. Make sure you are giving your feathery fellow the correct amount of other fruits etc. either. dogs adore bananas, you may go for it as an alternative.
What are the nutritional benefits of blueberries?
As we mentioned above, there is barely any difference between the benefits a dried blueberry contains and that which a fresh blueberry contains. Let’s go over everything that your dog will be showered with as it eats a dried berry. It is no mystery that they are rich and exemplary sources of energy for your dog. Because of which they are deemed to be just the perfect treat your birdie needs.
The first vitamin that is highly important and integral is Vitamin A. It aids several of a dog’s body functions at once. Most dogs when tested are found to be deficient in vitamin A. Feeding it blueberries is the perfect opportunity to take the plant out of a majority of deficient birds. This supplement helps the following jobs in a dog;
- Gives strength to the immune system
- Adds on to the pigmentations in a bird’s body (yellow and red)
- Gives them better eyesight
Having a strong immune system is far more important than you might think. dogs even while being in the same environment are exposed to several dangers. If their immune system is fragile, the probability of them catching a bacterial infection is far more. Having said that, as a pet parent you ought to make sure your dog is not deprived of a stronger and better immune system.
Additionally, you may or may not have heard of the significance of magnesium in a dog’s livelihood. To be able to live a healthy and active life, they need to have a good amount of the mineral present in their body system. It will also give your dog the vitality it needs to perform several activities. How is that so? This is because magnesium strengthens their bones.
The list goes on and on, but we believe the reasons provided are enough to convince you to feed your dog blueberries, whether dried or fresh. We hope you and your dog have the very best of health!