Bichon Frise owners, listen up!
Blueberries are a popular food among humans—they’re nutrient-dense, delicious, and inexpensive. That’s why many Bichon Frise owners are tempted to share the blueberry love with their furry friends.
But can you feed blueberries to your Bichon Frises?
That’s a great question, and the short answer is: yes! You can feed blueberries to your Bichon Frises. But there are lots of things you need to know before you do. Are they safe for your Bichon Frise? Are they healthy? Can Bichon Frises eat dried blueberries? Are blueberries good for Bichon Frises?
We’ll answer all these questions and more in this guide. Let’s start with the most important question:
Are blueberries safe for Bichon Frises?
Absolutely! In fact, blueberries are a great source of antioxidants for Bichon Frises.
Whether you feed them fresh, frozen, dried, or mashed; blueberries are a safe treat for your Bichon Frise.
When offering new foods, it is best practice to introduce slowly.
Some canines may show a food intolerance or allergic reaction to fresh fruits and vegetables.
If you are feeding your furry friend blueberries for the first time, start slowly and watch for any abnormal signs.
If you observe any abnormal symptoms, discontinue feeding and call your veterinarian immediately.
Benefits of blueberries in Bichon Frises
Blueberries are a great source of nutrients for Bichon Frises, including:
Antioxidants, which are compounds that fight the effects of free radicals. Free radicals can damage the cell membranes and even alter their DNA, so it’s important to fight them off and keep cells healthy.
Phytochemicals, which are produced by plants to protect themselves from things like UV radiation and pests. These compounds can have protective effects on humans and pets as well!
Vitamin K, an essential vitamin that aids in blood clotting. Your Bichon Frise needs this to help heal when they get injured—and they will get injured!
Manganese, an essential trace element that is used in metabolic functions such as building bones and cartilage as well as producing energy from food sources.
Potassium, another important mineral for Bichon Frises. It helps keep their nervous and cardiovascular systems working properly.
Calcium and phosphorus go hand-in-hand—calcium without phosphorus won’t be absorbed by the body or used effectively, and vice versa—so it’s important that your pet gets both minerals daily! Calcium supports bone structure while phosphorus works with calcium to maintain healthy teeth too!
And did you know that anthocyanins, which handle the color of the berries, work with antioxidants to help prevent heart disease?
Do all Bichon Frises like blueberries?
Unfortunately, no.
Your Bichon Frise may not like blueberries, or he may love them.
Bichon Frises have food preferences, just like humans do. Some Bichon Frises will eat anything you put in front of them, and others can be picky as all get out. If you’ve tried blueberries with your Bichon Frise and he’s turned his nose up at it, don’t force it on him—just move on and try something else.
Don’t force any food on your Bichon Frise—not even blueberries—if he doesn’t want to eat it. And if he shows an interest in eating more than one serving of this new snack, consult with your vet before giving him over one portion per day.
Can my Bichon Frises have blueberries every day?
We don’t think there’s a rule on how often Bichon Frises can eat blueberries.
If your Bichon Frise really, really loves blueberries and you’re feeding him or her the recommended amount (a handful of blueberries, 2x per day), then yes, it’s safe to give your Bichon Frise blueberries every day.
However, we advise you to vary their treats—your Bichon Frise might get bored with just one treat every day.
Also, different treats have different nutrients (blueberries are rich in antioxidants and vitamins A and C), so diversifying the treats you give your Bichon Frise will help make sure they’re getting all the nutrients they need for a healthy diet. It could also prevent an upset stomach that might happen if you give them too much of one treat.
Can Bichon Frise puppies eat blueberries?
Since blueberries are generally considered safe for adult Bichon Frises, you might assume that your puppy can eat them. Let’s think about this question more deeply, though.
Puppies have a delicate digestive system that is not yet fully developed, and it’s important for you to keep this in mind as you decide about their diet. Your puppy should be on a specialized puppy diet during their first few months of life, and we do not recommend introducing any new foods until they have been on this diet for at least a month. Some veterinarians even suggest waiting until your puppy has grown into an adult Bichon Frise before introducing any new foods at all.
How many blueberries can Bichon Frises eat?
Bichon Frises can eat blueberries, and they’re even good for them. But before you serve your Bichon Frise blueberries at every meal, it’s important to know how many blueberries are safe for your Bichon Frise.
The best person to talk to about the appropriate serving size of blueberries for your Bichon Frise is a veterinarian. They will advise you on the best daily amount for your Bichon Frise based on their breed, age, and health condition. However, here are some general guidelines on how many blueberries Bichon Frises can eat:
-For most small pup breeds like Bichon Frise (up to 25 pounds), 10 blueberries a day should be an appropriate amount.
-Medium pup breeds (up to 75 pounds) can have up to 20 blueberries per day.
-Large pup breeds (over 75 pounds) may handle over 20 blueberries per day.
As a general rule, all treats combined should not make up more than 10% of your Bichon Frise’s total diet. This means that if your Bichon Frise needs approximately 1,200 calories per day to maintain their weight, they should only get 120 of those calories from treats—including blueberries or any other treat you choose to give them.
How to serve blueberries to your Bichon Frises?
You can feed blueberries to your Bichon Frise in a variety of ways.
First, check with your vet to make sure it’s safe for your Bichon Frise. Some Bichon Frises have certain health issues that mean they should not be eating blueberries.
If you’ve gotten the green light from your vet, know that organic blueberries are best. They’re free from pesticides and other contaminants that you don’t want your Bichon Frise to be ingesting. Also, make sure you wash them thoroughly before feeding them to your Bichon Frise.
It’s best to feed your Bichon Frise fresh blueberries, but if it’s a particularly hot day, frozen blueberries are a great treat—they’ll help cool them down.
One option is to feed one blueberry at a time as a snack or sprinkle them on their regular food. This is also a good way to make sure they’re eating properly without going overboard on the calories or sugar content of this fruit.
Another way is to blend blueberries (fresh or frozen) and plain yogurt together. It makes for a sweet treat with added protein and probiotics from the yogurt that will help keep their gut healthy and strong.
Finally, you can also add some other Bichon Frise-friendly fruits for variety; strawberries and raspberries are great options.
When are blueberries bad for Bichon Frises?
As much as we love our Bichon Frises, and as much as we’d want nothing more than to share our favorite treats with them, there are certain foods that we can’t give them. Blueberries might be one of those—but it depends on a few factors.
First, your Bichon Frise’s overall health. If they have underlying health issues or are significantly overweight, that could raise the likelihood of negative side effects from blueberries.
Second, how many blueberries? Overindulgence can’t be good for anyone, and it certainly won’t do a Bichon Frise any favors. Keep in mind that even the sugar in blueberries (even though they’re relatively low-sugar) could aggravate an already sensitive stomach.
Finally, what kind of blueberries are you talking about? Store-bought ones that contain preservatives and ingredients other than just blueberries won’t be nearly as healthy for your pup as fresh ones from a farmer’s market or your own garden!
What happens when your Bichon Frises eat too many blueberries?
Bichon Frises are extremely interested in food. In fact, sometimes they’re so interested in food that they’ll do anything to get it, including eating food that we humans know is bad for them.
One of the most common foods for Bichon Frises to eat when their humans aren’t looking is blueberries. So what happens when your Bichon Frise eats too many blueberries? Here are some symptoms that result:
Vomiting: When a Bichon Frise eats too many blueberries, they will often begin vomiting within a few hours. If they keep vomiting, it’s important to take them to see a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Diarrhea: Blueberries can cause diarrhea or other changes in stool consistency. This can create potential problems if your Bichon Frise doesn’t have access to a bathroom with easy-to-clean flooring and surfaces.
Bloat: When your Bichon Frise eats too much at one time, it can lead to something called bloat, which is not a good thing for them.
Abdominal pain: Along with bloat comes abdominal pain and discomfort for your Bichon Frise as their body struggles to digest all the blueberries they’ve consumed.
Choking: Small Bichon Frises who eat too many blueberries may choke on them as well.
What to do if your Bichon Frises eat too many blueberries?
If your Bichon Frise has eaten blueberries, and you’re not sure how many or are worried that too many of them were consumed, don’t panic. We generally regard blueberries as healthy and safe for Bichon Frises to eat. However, if you fed your Bichon Frise a lot of them, or they ate an entire bucket of them off the counter, it may be a good idea to pay close attention to their behavior and contact your vet if any problems arise.
Most Bichon Frises will have no problem digesting even a large amount of blueberries; however, if you see any signs of digestive distress or reaction (including vomiting or diarrhea), stop feeding them immediately and consult with a veterinarian.
Can my Bichon Frise eat blueberry muffins?
No. Blueberry muffins are not good for your Bichon Frise. There are several ingredients in blueberry muffins that could be detrimental to your beloved pet’s health.
It is recommended that you avoid giving your Bichon Frise any kind of processed blueberries, whether they are dried or baked into a muffin, because the berries can contain toxic substances that can cause liver damage in Bichon Frises. Other ingredients in a blueberry muffin, such as chocolate and egg, can also be toxic to Bichon Frises and should be avoided at all costs.
Other human foods Bichon Frises can eat
What other human foods can Bichon Frises eat? Here is a list of some other human foods your Bichon Frises can eat.
So, can Bichon Frises eat blueberries?
Yes, Bichon Frise can eat blueberries in moderation. Blueberries are rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber, making it an excellent treat for Bichon Frise. However, moderation is key. Since blueberries are high in sugar, some Bichon Frises may experience stomach issues after eating too many of them. When you give your Bichon Frise blueberries as a treat, do so in moderation.