Can Dogs Eat Blueberries? Yes, Fresh or Frozen

What it gives your dog

Blueberries provide about 57 kcal per 100 g, fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K and anthocyanins, the antioxidant pigments that give them their color. Their size makes them very handy as training treats: one blueberry has less than 1 kcal, so you can use several in a session without unbalancing your dog's diet.

Avoid sweetened dried blueberries, juices, jams and baked goods like blueberry muffins. Cranberries are also safe in their natural state, but they're almost always sold dried and sweetened. For very small dogs that gulp their food, squash them a little so they don't choke.

How to serve it

Fresh and washed
Frozen as a crunchy summer treat
Squashed for very small dogs
Mixed into their food or a stuffable toy

How much can they eat?

Small dog (under 10 kg / 22 lb): 5-10 blueberries. Medium (10-25 kg / 22-55 lb): 10-20. Large (over 25 kg / 55 lb): 20-30, roughly a handful. It all counts within the 10% of daily calories for extras.

Risks

Choking in very small dogs that gulp them whole
Diarrhea or purple stool if they eat a lot
Sweetened dried blueberries, juice or baked goods

Frequently asked questions

Are cranberries or blueberries good for urinary tract infections in dogs?

Cranberry is used in supplements to help make it harder for certain bacteria to stick to the bladder, but in dogs the evidence is limited and it doesn't treat an existing infection. If your dog pees often, with blood or with pain, they need a vet and most likely a urine test.

Can puppies eat blueberries?

Yes, once they're eating solid food they can have the odd blueberry as a treat, squashed or halved so they don't choke. Start with one or two and check their stool. With puppies it's even more important that treats don't crowd out their main food, which is what covers everything they need to grow.