Yes. Dogs can eat raspberries in small quantities.
Raspberries contain antioxidants, which are good for your dog, especially as they age.
These antioxidants are anti-inflammatory and can help with your dog’s joints and overall health.
Raspberries also contain:
- Vitamins C. K and B-complex
- Dietary fibre
- Minerals including magnesium, potassium, iron, folic acid, manganese and copper
Only feed your dog fresh, or unsweetened frozen raspberries. Keep them plain and do not coat in them in sugar.
Excess sugar is not good for your dog and can lead to an upset stomach in the short-term, with more serious issues such as diabetes and obesity in the long-term.
Additionally, steer clear of any that are tinned in syrup for the same reasons.
Xylitol and dogs
One thing to be aware of is that raspberries contain naturally occurring xylitol (as do many other fruits).
Xylitol in high quantities is toxic to dogs. This can potentially lead to complications such as hypoglycaemia and liver disease.
This sounds like more of a problem than it actually is, as raspberries only contain a very small amount of xylitol compared to the levels in some human food and toothpaste, but is worth being aware of all the same.
In fact, Dr Marie of askavetaquestion.com calculates that a 10kg dog would need to eat 4-6 cups of raspberries to cause low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia), with 32 cups needed to be fatal.
As you can see, that’s an awful lot of raspberries in order for it to be a problem.
Just feed them to your dog in moderation and you should be fine. Talk to your vet if you have any concerns regarding xylitol.
How many raspberries can I give my dog?
No more than a 1 cup for larger dogs (fully grown), and adjust to suit for any smaller breeds (such as 1-2 fruits).
For puppies, follow your vet’s guidance.
As above, make sure they are fresh. They are very easy to prepare – just wash and serve.
Summary
Raspberries are perfectly safe for dogs to eat in small quantities as long as you follow the advice on portion size and only serve them fresh or fresh from frozen.
They can be a valuable addition to your dog’s diet.
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/685954586992070648/Related FAQ’s
Can dogs eat black raspberries?
Black raspberries are of very similar makeup to red raspberries but have higher antioxidant levels.
Although there isn’t much data to confirm this, (black raspberries are a lot less common than red) there is no good reason not to feed your dog black raspberries in small quantities.
Just confirm with your vet first though.
Can dogs eat raspberries and blackberries?
Yes, along with raspberries, blackberries are safe for your dog to eat in small quantities.
Can dogs have raspberry yogurt?
It’s best to avoid raspberry yogurt. The high lactose and added sugars are likely to upset your dog’s stomach.
Can dogs eat frozen raspberries?
Yes, once thawed, as long as the raspberries are unsweetened, then frozen are just as good as fresh.
Exercise portion control as above.
Can my dog eat raspberry jam?
Although a very small amount is unlikely to cause any serious effects, any kind of jam is best avoided due to the high sugar content, potentially leading to stomach upset in the short-term and more serious issues, such as diabetes in the long-term.
Can dogs eat raspberries and blueberries?
Yes, along with raspberries, your dog can eat blueberries in small quantities.
Blueberries are also high in antioxidants, earning them their superfood status.
What can dogs not eat?
For more on what your dog can and can’t eat, including blueberries, blackberries, grapes and blackcurrants, see our comprehensive CAN MY DOG EAT section.
See you there…