Blueberries are a popular, low-cost fruit with a high nutrient density that humans love. And it’s totally understandable why many Great Dane owners would be tempted to feed them to their Great Danes as well—they’re just so yummy! But can you feed blueberries to your Great Danes? The short answer is yes, you can feed blueberries to your Great Danes. But there are lots of considerations you should make before sharing this delicious fruit with your furry friend.
In this guide, we’ll answer every question regarding feeding blueberries to your Great Dane, from the health and nutritional benefits of doing so, to how much is too much for your Great Dane to eat. First, though, let’s start with the most obvious question:
Are blueberries safe for Great Danes?
Fresh, frozen, dried, or mashed; blueberries are a safe treat for your Great Dane! But introduce them slowly and watch for any signs of food intolerance.
Blueberries are nutritious and packed with antioxidants that can boost your Great Dane’s immune system. They’re also low calorie and can be used as a training treat or to distract your pup during bath time.
But remember: Great Danes can have a food intolerance or allergic reaction to blueberries—especially if they have never had them before. So if you’re feeding them to your Great Dane for the first time, start slowly, and keep an eye out for any abnormal symptoms. If you notice anything unusual—like vomiting, diarrhea, rashes, or itchiness—stop feeding the blueberries and contact your veterinarian right away.
Benefits of blueberries in Great Danes
Blueberries are a great way to fight a number of diseases and improve your Great Dane’s health. There are plenty of reasons to give blueberries to your pup.
– Antioxidants: Blueberries have a high antioxidant capacity, which can help your pup fight off infections and disease.
– Phytochemicals: Blueberries contain phytochemicals, which may help prevent cancer in Great Danes.
– Vitamin K: Blueberries are rich in vitamin K, which is necessary for blood clotting and bone metabolism.
– Manganese: Blueberries also contain manganese, which is necessary for the metabolism of carbohydrates and cholesterol.
– Potassium: Potassium helps with normal cell function and transmission of nerve impulses throughout the body. It can also help with blood pressure regulation.
– Calcium: Calcium is essential for healthy teeth and bones in Great Danes.
– Phosphorus: Phosphorus helps build strong bones and teeth while also helping with the breakdown of nutrients needed by the body for growth and maintenance.
– Anthocyanins: Anthocyanins work with antioxidants to protect against heart disease and cancer, as well as many other conditions.
Do all Great Danes like blueberries?
Unfortunately, no, all Great Danes do not like blueberries. Just like humans, Great Danes have food preferences. You may notice that some foods your Great Dane loves are foods you hate! This is normal and happens a lot with humans and Great Danes alike.
If your Great Dane doesn’t like blueberries, don’t force if he won’t eat them. He may spit them out or throw them up if he eats them (blueberries can be too large for a Great Dane to digest). Consult with your vet before introducing a new food to your Great Dane, especially if they are very young or very old.
Can my Great Danes have blueberries every day?
There’s no rule on how often Great Danes can eat blueberries. If they love them, you can feed them the recommended amount every day.
That said, we do recommend varying the treats you give your Great Dane—some treats have different nutritional properties than others, and it’s important to make sure your Great Dane is getting a well-rounded diet.
Also, it’s good to have treats that are chewy or crunchy sometimes to help clean the teeth, so it’s a good idea to change up their treat schedule.
Can Great Dane puppies eat blueberries?
We don’t recommend feeding your Great Dane puppy blueberries unless your vet recommends it for certain reasons. Remember that puppies have a delicate digestive system and will need to be on a specialized puppy diet during their first few months. Many adult Great Danes, however, will enjoy the taste of blueberries.
How many blueberries can Great Danes eat?
My answer is always the same—consult with your veterinarian first. Once you determine a safe serving size, then you’ll know how many blueberries your Great Dane can handle.
As a general rule, most small pups can eat 10 blueberries a day. For larger breeds of Great Danes, they can handle more but it’s best to check with your vet first.
Always follow the rule that all treats combined should not be over 10% of the total diet for Great Danes. If you feed your Great Dane one small treat per day, then that’s about 3% of their daily calorie intake.
How to serve blueberries to your Great Danes?
If you’ve decided to feed your Great Dane blueberries, make sure that you’re serving them properly. First, check with your vet and make sure that blueberries are a safe option for your Great Dane.
Once you’ve got the go-ahead, it’s important that you only feed your Great Dane organic blueberries. You should also wash them well before feeding them to your Great Dane to make sure that any pesticides or other chemicals have been rinsed away.
Fresh blueberries can be a delicious treat for Great Danes as long as they don’t have any seeds in them. However, frozen blueberries are an even better option during the warmer months of the year when fresh fruit is more likely to spoil quickly. It’s important to remember not to give your Great Dane too many blueberries at once; they shouldn’t eat more than ten in a day.
There are several ways to serve your Great Dane blueberries:
* Feed them one at a time as a treat
* Sprinkle them on your Great Dane’s regular food as an extra incentive to eat it
* Blend them with some plain yogurt and freeze the mixture into “pupsicles” for a delicious cool treat
You can also add some other Great Dane-friendly fruits and vegetables—such as apples, bananas or strawberries.
When are blueberries bad for Great Danes?
In general, blueberries are a safe treat for Great Danes. In fact, they contain a lot of fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin K, which makes them a healthy addition to your Great Dane’s diet. However, there are some scenarios in which blueberries could be dangerous for your Great Dane.
Blueberries are not recommended for Great Danes that have underlying health issues like diabetes or digestive issues. Since blueberries do contain sugar, overindulgence could be dangerous for Great Danes that have an issue with their blood sugar levels. If your Great Dane is diabetic or you’re concerned about how much sugar they can handle, you should consult with your vet before giving them any kind of human food.
While fresh blueberries may be healthy and safe for your Great Dane to eat, store-bought blueberries (or any other processed berries) may not be as healthy or safe. Many store-bought blueberries contain sulfur dioxide to keep them looking fresh and appealing to humans. However, sulfur dioxide is toxic to Great Danes and can cause digestive problems if consumed in large quantities.
What happens when your Great Danes eat too many blueberries?
What happens when your Great Dane eats too many blueberries?
-Vomiting: You will see your Great Dane throwing up what look like small pieces of blueberry. This is because the blueberry has been broken down in their system.
-Diarrhea: You might see small pieces of blueberry in your Great Dane’s diarrhea, or a dark red color to their stool. Either way, diarrhea is a sign that they’ve eaten too many blueberries.
-Bloat: Yes, Great Danes get bloated from eating too many blueberries, just like people do! If you notice your Great Dane’s stomach has expanded and is hard to the touch, you might have a case of bloat on your hands.
-Abdominal pain: Does your Great Dane look uncomfortable? Are they whining or crying out in pain? They might be experiencing abdominal pain from eating too many blueberries!
-Choking: It’s possible for Great Danes to choke on small pieces of fruit—so if you notice that your pet is having trouble breathing, call 911 immediately.
What to do if your Great Danes eat too many blueberries?
The first thing you should do if your Great Dane eats too many blueberries is not to panic. As long as you act quickly, your pet will be fine. The next important thing to do is to stop feeding blueberries to your Great Dane immediately and get any remains away from him or her.
Finally, monitor your Great Dane for any signs of illness and contact your veterinarian if she or he shows any abnormal signs.
Can my Great Dane eat blueberry muffins?
No way, Jose!
Blueberry muffins can contain all kinds of ingredients that can cause stomach upset in Great Danes, like raisins, salt, and sugar. And that’s and the fact that they’re baked goods, which are (a) probably not good for your Great Dane’s waistline and (b) probably loaded with fat and calories.
I’d avoid other processed blueberries as well because their “blueberry” taste is likely coming from something artificial or synthetic—which means it could be toxic to your Great Dane.
Other human foods Great Danes can eat
What other human foods can Great Danes eat? Here is a list of some other human foods your Great Dane can eat.
So, can Great Danes eat blueberries?
The answer is yes—Great Danes can eat blueberries in moderation. Blueberries are rich in several vitamins and minerals that can contribute to your Great Dane’s well-being, making them an excellent treat for Great Danes.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that you should never give your Great Dane over 10 blueberries at a time. While they’re not toxic to Great Danes, too many can cause an upset stomach and diarrhea. You shouldn’t add sugar or syrup to the mix either.
It’s also important to make sure that if you give your Great Dane blueberries, you don’t leave the bag or bowl out on the counter when you’re not around. Blueberries are small and easy to swallow, so even if your Great Dane has access to them for just a few minutes, they could choke on them if they swallow too many at once.