Raspberries: A Complete Guide for Dogs

 Fruits are very healthy treats. Everybody indulges in their tempting colours and shapes and their taste is far better than their appearance. These are very light food and also stimulate the taste buds of everybody even dogs. So, let’s get straight that They have the never-ending benefits. These are complete stuff of enjoyment

Yes, dogs can eat these sweet and delicious raspberries but in limits. Dogs relish these awesome berries with great zeal. Dogs get nutrition and lots of enjoyment to eat these juicy and tangy fruits. They are natural health supplements.

But it is very difficult for any pet parent which fruit and vegetable should they feed their furry friend and one could be fatal for them. thus, there are certain fruits’ comes in the category of eating for dogs. We can emphasis on certain fruits as they are packed with health elements and beneficial for dogs while others are harmful to dogs.

Serving of raspberries is itself a treat, it is a quality feature of this tiny fruit while having low sugar content.

This article will have a clear look at all pros and cons of raspberries with eating concern of dogs:

Vegetation of Raspberries

Origin of this fruit from a prickly plant -garden rose. There are two types of raspberries are found:

Red raspberries (Rubus Idaeus)- a Eurasian plant

It is popularly eaten and widely grow all over the world.

Blackberries North American (Rubus Occidentalis).

In recent years, the farming of these small juicy fruits like these raspberries is increased due to the higher amount of nutrients available in tiny fruit. 

Humans and wild animals like fox are very interested to enjoy its taste and health benefits. So, there is no surprise if your canine friend chow down the snack of raspberries.

Nutritional Values of Raspberries

Raspberries offer a plethora of advantages. 

-These raspberries are an excellent source of dietary fibre due to this quality your dog satiates for a long period. Fibre also improves the digestive system and fight against obesity.

-Generous variety of minerals like potassium, manganese, copper, folic acid, iron and magnesium are found. It is also a rich source of vitamin C, A, B complex, K and E. They build up the immune system, formation of the hormones, activation of enzymes, boost up the metabolism and multiply the energy levels. It also slows down the inflammation and increases the positive growth of the body.

-Sugar in these fruits is found relatively low in contents. This distinctive property is very helpful for dogs to eat this fruit because there is no need for sugar in the dog’s diet.

Some chemicals in raspberries are very beneficial to the whole range of mammals and also in dogs. A survey published in 2017 detailed that raspberries intake in obese diabetic mice raised their antioxidants status remarkably. These chemicals are anti-oxidants which can reduce the occurrence of heart disease, cancer, arthritis and diabetes.

-Raspberries have a sweetener Xylitol, it is very harmful to dogs.

Raspberries are safe!

Many experts have cited several types of berries including raspberries as being safe for dogs to eat.

Berries are mixed with many fruits like apple, banana and watermelon as these dogs favoured and dog healthy fruits.

However, fruits should not be used as a major staple food in your dog’s diet.

When it comes to fruit, the specialist recommends that any fruit supplement comes not more than 5% of the total diet to dog meal.

Protein and fruits should be served separately because dogs digest these fruits very quickly and protein takes time to digest. Let’s get straight – fruits don’t digest as well with protein.

Raspberries good for dogs

Raspberries are thought out safe and even good and beneficial for dogs. People love to give snacks and treat which are made up of raspberries because it is sweet and relatively low sugar snack as compare to other options.

On the flip side, let us see downsides of berries. When and how can berries potentially dangerous for dogs.

Adverse effects on dogs

So far, we have seen good qualities of this fruit like relatively low sugar content, vitamins, and other health benefits This is why it is very rich fruit. Still, it is deadly for dogs.

Of course, only one element Xylitol make it dangerous for dogs (more of that in a moment). let us just discuss the presence of Xylitol-

Raspberries contain one of the highest levels of natural Xylitol an all-natural sweetener found in many fruits. It is also found in many human products. It is quite safe for humans. But it can be toxic to your dog.

Xylitol is a very popular element of low-calorie chewing gum and a small amount of these chewing gums is hazardous for the dog’s life. While an individual raspberry does not hold nearly enough xylitol to hurt a dog.   

It can lead to liver disease, hypoglycaemia which could be potentially fatal if left untreated. Enjoyment and happiness of your furry friend can become more if you serve these raspberries to your dog in small quantities like one or two raspberries which are sufficient for the single day.

If the feeding of these berries becomes more than the limited quantity then other possibilities of gastrointestinal side effects that might be happened like vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation. 

All fruits are loaded with sugar. Large intake of fruits increases the excessive amount of sugar which make the dog vulnerable to excess weight gain, dental issues and diabetes. With sugar in general, too much sugar can negatively affect its health, just as it can influence ours.

Allergy from raspberries

Food allergies in dogs are not easy to pin down. Itchy skin, an ear infection can be a signal of possible dog food allergy. these may be an emergency visit to your trusted vet.

Can Puppies Eat This Tiny Fruit?

Puppies are the youngest stage of the dog’s life span. Puppies need a high amount of nutrition for the rapid growth of organs and skeletal muscles. 

When training to your puppy you will need to appreciate him for his good performance with treats. These wonderful treats may be of raspberries. But as a fruit squashy and soft is not the easiest to store and carry.

This stage of dogs gets maximum training trails that is why dog kibbles are safe to be given as a treat for puppies in their training session. A puppy should be given one or two berries occasionally.

Quantity of raspberries for dog to eat 

You should serve lesser than one cup raspberries to your big size dog periodically. This is low sugar fruit and has some traces of xylitol. Xylitol creates some health problems. This fruit has 4% sugar by its weight and which is lesser than carrot at 5%.

Can Raspberries Kill the Dog?

It is a very light and nutritious fruit. It is good luck for dogs that these raspberries are edible for them. This fruit can be a magical ingredient in your dog food if is used in moderation. Health benefits of this fruit cannot be negligible. So, lower the quantities of raspberries in your dog food, let your furry friend safe and in wellbeing.

Raspberries are toxic?

They are never toxic to your dog until you feed an unlimited quantity of raspberries to your dog. because too much can be bad news.

Serving ideas 

  1. Fruits and veggies are very yummy and mouth-watering eatables. These cannot be resisted by anybody even dogs. But a few dogs don’t like their taste. These are a healthy snack that can do.
  2. You can throw in some raspberries on your dog’s food. The crunch of frozen raspberries increases the fun time when you offer them to your soft paws.
  3. You can share a few raspberries with your dog occasionally. Sometimes you can sprinkle these on your dog’s daily meal.

Frozen raspberries are safe?

Frozen raspberries are unsweetened and just like the fresh raspberries.

These are quite safe than that of packed in sugar syrup or dusted with sugar. Packed berries can increase the sugar level in dog’s blood which can lead to diabetes and other health issues down line.

A deeper look at raspberries  

There are .05 g of xylitol in one cup of raspberries. If 10 kg dog eats approximate 4-6 cups of raspberries, this means that it is enough to cause hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar). And if the same dog eats at least 32 cups of raspberries this means that these raspberries are enough to be fatal.

Conclusion

Fruits are not an absolute must for dogs. They can live without these fruits. But still, these raspberries can balance out nutritional values of dog’s diet which potentially enhances the longevity and immune system of your furry friend. One or two raspberries cannot adverse reaction on their system when they eat them.

To be on the safe side, always remember to monitor your dog’s sugar intake and keep an eye out for any feature of possible allergies.

And you must want to look proper age and size of your doggie so that you can design the properly balanced diet to feed your real friend.