Everyone loves blueberries. They’re affordable, easy to find, and they pack a nutritional punch. That’s why so many Border Collie owners love feeding these sweet little berries to their furry best friends (or are at least curious if they should).
But can you feed blueberries to your Border Collies? The short answer is “Yes,” but it’s not quite that simple. There are lots of questions surrounding whether you should feed your Border Collie blueberries, and in this post we will answer every question regarding this topic. We’ll start with the most important question:
Are blueberries safe for Border Collies?
Most Border Collies can eat blueberries. Whether you feed your Border Collie fresh, frozen, dried, or mashed; blueberries are a safe treat.
However, you should always introduce new foods slowly to your Border Collie to see how he responds. Some Border Collies can show a food intolerance or allergic reaction to blueberries.
If you want to feed your Border Collie blueberries, start slowly if you are feeding them for the first time and watch for any abnormal signs.
If you observe any abnormal symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, an upset stomach, or drooling after feeding your Border Collie blueberries, then discontinue feeding him the berries and consult with your veterinarian.
Benefits of blueberries in Border Collies
We know that blueberries are a great superfood for humans, but did you know they’re also good for your Border Collie? Blueberries contain:
* Antioxidants – these help prevent cell damage because of oxidative stress
* Phytochemicals – compounds found in plants that can help protect against diseases like cancer
* Vitamin K – helps with blood clotting, bone health and more
* Manganese – helps with growth and development; metabolism of carbohydrates, amino acids and cholesterol; and building connective tissue like bones and cartilage
* Potassium – essential for normal body function; supports muscle contraction; helps regulate fluid balance in cells
*Anthocyanins- Blueberries contain anthocyanins, which work with these other ingredients to help prevent heart disease in Border Collies.
Do all Border Collies like blueberries?
Unfortunately, no. Just like humans, Border Collies have food preferences. Some might love blueberries and others might not care for them at all. If your Border Collie doesn’t like blueberries, don’t force it to eat them; pups can also develop allergies to new foods. It’s best to consult with your vet before introducing a new food to your pup’s diet.
Can my Border Collies have blueberries every day?
Good question! There’s no rule on how often you can feed your Border Collie blueberries, and it’s great that you want to give him some healthy treats.
That being said, we recommend varying the treats you give your Border Collie for a few reasons. First, different treats contain different ingredients and vitamins, so if he eats the same treat every day, he might miss out on others. Second, Border Collies are like people—they get bored with the same snack all the time and might not eat as much if they’re given the same thing repeatedly. So we recommend giving him different fruits and vegetables so he gets a variety of tastes and textures.
Can Border Collie puppies eat blueberries?
Unfortunately, we don’t recommend giving your puppy blueberries. Puppies have delicate digestive systems, and giving your puppy blueberries can cause a lot of problems. This is especially true when they’re young—the first few months of life should be spent on a specialized puppy diet.
How many blueberries can Border Collies eat?
There are no set limitations for how many blueberries Border Collies can eat. Instead, follow the rule of moderation. Your Border Collies need a completely balanced diet to be healthy, and all treats combined should not be over 10% of the total diet.
For most small pups, 10 blueberries would be an appropriate amount. Blueberries are fantastic for Border Collies, so they make fantastic treats. They’re great for your Border Collie’s eyesight because of their high antioxidant content, and they’re also great for your Border Collie’s digestion because of their high fiber content. Large breeds of Border Collie can handle more blueberries.
Also, it’s always a good idea to consult with your vet first to determine the best serving size for your Border Collie depending on what other treats they get each day and what other foods they eat. That’s because different foods are more dense than others, so it takes different amounts of different foods to get the nutrients your Border Collie needs.
How to serve blueberries to your Border Collies?
After checking with your vet, the first step toward trying blueberries with your Border Collie is to make sure you only feed them organic ones. They’re not just a healthy treat for you—they’re a healthy treat for your Border Collie, too!
Before you feed them to your Border Collie, wash them thoroughly. You might even want to give them a light rinse with distilled water.
Then all you have to do is feed them one blueberry at a time, or sprinkle them on their regular food. Simple!
If it’s a hot day and you have some frozen blueberries on hand, that’s actually the best way to go: they’re more like ice cubes than fruit, so they can help keep your pup cool while they gnaw away.
Blend up some blueberries and plain yogurt in the blender and let Fido lap them up! You can also add some other Border Collie-friendly fruits, like bananas or strawberries.
When are blueberries bad for Border Collies?
Blueberries are generally considered safe for Border Collies, and most pups love them! You can use them as a training treat or just give them to your Border Collie as a reward for good behavior.
However, it’s important to realize that moderation is key. Overindulging in blueberries can lead to health issues, especially if your Border Collie has underlying health problems like diabetes. Blueberries contain a lot of fructose, which can exacerbate these types of conditions in Border Collies. Store-bought blueberries—especially if they’re coated in extra sugars or preservatives—can also be harmful to your Border Collie’s health.
If you decide to give your pup blueberries, always wash them first and remove the stems before feeding them to your Border Collie.
What happens when your Border Collies eat too many blueberries?
If your pooch has eaten a little too much fruit, they might experience any of the following symptoms:
-Vomiting. If your Border Collie vomits after eating blueberries, it could be because the fruit didn’t agree with their stomach. Or it could be because the blueberries were contaminated with bacteria or mold.
-Diarrhea. The same reasons that cause vomiting can also cause diarrhea.
-Bloat. Bloat is a condition where gas is trapped in the Border Collie’s stomach, and it can be fatal if not immediately treated by a veterinarian.
-Abdominal pain. Abdominal pain can be caused by many things, including food poisoning or indigestion.
-Choking. Choking is often caused by swallowing something that’s too big for the throat to handle or being startled while chewing food.
What to do if your Border Collies eat too many blueberries?
Blueberries, like other fruits, are not harmful to Border Collies. But don’t let your Border Collie go crazy on them. Too many of any fruit can cause tummy upset in Border Collies, so if you give your Border Collie blueberries, only give him a few at a time. A handful of blueberriesmake a good snack for most healthy Border Collies.
It’s also important to note that the seeds in blueberries contain trace amounts of cyanide, which can be toxic to Border Collies. That said, your Border Collie would have to consume an enormous amount of blueberry seeds in order to ingest enough cyanide to harm him. If you’re just feeding your Border Collie whole blueberries as an occasional treat, he should be fine as long as he eats slowly and takes care not to swallow the seeds.
Blueberries have a lot of natural sugar in them, so if you give too much to your Border Collie, it could lead to weight gain or other problems associated with eating too much sugar. It’s a good idea to stick with fresh blueberries when feeding them to your Border Collie; canned or frozen ones often have additives that could be harmful to Border Collies.
If your pet eats too many, get any remaining blueberries out of their reach and monitor them for any signs of abdominal pain or discomfort. If they show any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian if you are concerned that they may have eaten too many.
Can my Border Collie eat blueberry muffins?
No. Border Collies can eat raw blueberries, but you should avoid giving your Border Collie any processed blueberries.
Blueberries are generally considered to be safe for your Border Collie to eat. In fact, blueberries are a common ingredient in many commercially available Border Collie foods, and they offer a wide range of health benefits.
However, if you’re going to give your Border Collie blueberries, make sure they’re plain, raw blueberries. Processed blueberries can contain potentially toxic ingredients that could harm your Border Collie. The most common culprits are chocolate and xylitol, an artificial sweetener with properties similar to strychnine (yes, the poison).
Other human foods Border Collies can eat
What other human foods can border collies eat? Here is a list of some other human foods your Border Collies can eat.
So, can Border Collies eat blueberries?
Yes, Border Collies can eat blueberries in moderation. Blueberries are rich in antioxidants, manganese and fiber, making it an excellent treat for Border Collies. However, you should always check with your vet if your Border Collie is suffering from any allergies or health issues before introducing new foods into their diet.