Blueberries are one of the most popular fruits among humans. They have lots of nutrients and they are very low cost. This is the reason many Labrador Retriever owners wonder if they can feed their Labs with blueberries. But can you really feed blueberries to your Labs?
The short answer is ‘’Yes’’, you can feed blueberries to your Labs. But there are some things you need to know about feeding blueberries to your Labrador Retriever. In this guide, I will answer every question regarding this topic.
Let’s start with the most important question:
Are blueberries safe for Labs?
Blueberries are safe for Labs.
Fresh, frozen, dried, or mashed; blueberries are a safe treat for your Labrador Retriever.
However, introduce them slowly to your Labrador Retriever if they’re not used to eating blueberries.
Some Labs may show a food intolerance or allergic reaction when eating blueberries. If you observe any abnormal symptoms or vomiting after feeding your Labrador Retriever blueberries, discontinue feeding and contact your veterinarian immediately.
Benefits of blueberries in Labs
Benefits of Blueberries in Labs
-Antioxidants: can help fight cancer and heart disease.
-Phytochemicals: also help protect against cancer and heart disease.
-Vitamin K: helps to clot the blood thus prevents excessive bleeding.
-Manganese: helps build stronger bones and make it easier to move around.
-Potassium: maintains fluid balance and supports muscle contraction and nerve function.
-Calcium: strengthens bones and teeth, helps with blood clotting, maintains a healthy heartbeat, and supports muscle contraction and nerve function.
-Phosphorus: works with calcium to keep the body running smoothly and efficiently; helps build healthy bones, teeth, muscles, nerves, cells and tissues throughout our body.
-Anthocyanins: work with antioxidants to fight heart diseases like high blood pressure or stroke by helping lower cholesterol levels in the bloodstream—which then decreases risk of cardiovascular complications from developing artery blockage (atherosclerosis).
Do all Labs like blueberries?
Unfortunately, no, not all Labs like blueberries. That doesn’t mean they’re not good for them, though!
Your Labrador Retriever may not like the taste of blueberries, but that can change with time. Just try offering your Labrador Retriever half or a quarter of a blueberry at first and see if they eat it. If they don’t take it right away, leave it on the floor for a little bit to see if they’ll eat it. If you think your Labrador Retriever is going to be unhappy about eating fruit, don’t force them to eat something they don’t want to.
Labs have food preferences just like humans do, so there are other fruits and vegetables you can try giving your Labrador Retriever that they might enjoy better.
Don’t force your Labrador Retriever to eat something he doesn’t want to eat! You can always consult with your vet before introducing a new food to your Labrador Retriever’s diet.
Can my Labs have blueberries every day?
There’s no rule on how often you can feed your Labrador Retriever blueberries, so it’s up to you if you want to feed them every day. If you don’t have any other treats to give your Labrador Retriever, then yes, it’s fine to feed your Labrador Retriever the recommended amount of blueberries every day. However, we recommend varying the treats you give your Labs for a couple of reasons:
1. Different treats contain different nutrients, some of which are vital for Labs’ health, and not these nutrients will be in blueberries.
2. Labs can sometimes develop allergies or get sick of the same food over time (yes, they get bored too).
If you really want to give your Labs blueberries every day, consider adding other fruits and veggies besides the blueberries: carrots, apples, bananas are always popular with Labs.
Can Labrador Retriever puppies eat blueberries?
We don’t recommend Labrador Retriever puppies to eat blueberries unless your vet has approved them for certain reasons.
Puppies have a delicate digestive system, and they are just developing the enzymes needed to break down food. By eating blueberries, which are rich in fiber, you could be setting your puppy up for an upset stomach or diarrhea.
The protein in blueberries also can create kidney issues for puppies that are not yet fully developed. This is why it’s important to only feed your puppy food and treats that are specially formulated for puppies until he has reached adulthood, usually around 12 months of age.
How many blueberries can Labs eat?
When it comes to feeding your Labrador Retriever something other than its regular Labrador Retriever food, it’s always recommended that you consult with your vet first for the best serving size.
That said, for most small pups, about 10 blueberries would be an appropriate amount. The rule of thumb is that treats should be 10% of the total diet (so for a 10-pound Labrador Retriever, that would mean about one blueberry), but since this is a new food, you want to make sure it doesn’t cause any gastrointestinal issues before increasing the serving size.
For larger Labs, there’s no reason they can’t have more than 10 blueberries as long as you’re following the standard guidelines. But remember: all treats combinedly should not be over 10% of the total diet.
Blueberries are great to use as training treats since they’re soft and easy to break into smaller pieces.
How to serve blueberries to your Labs?
After checking with your vet, you can serve blueberries to your Labrador Retriever by feeding them fresh or frozen.
Fresh blueberries make a delicious treat, but you can also freeze them and keep them in the fridge, so they’re ready whenever your Labrador Retriever needs a snack.
You can give your Labrador Retriever one blueberry at a time as a snack, or sprinkle them on their regular food.
If you want to add something extra special to your Labrador Retriever’s diet, try blending blueberries with plain yogurt and freezing it in an ice cube tray. Then, when you want to give it to your Labrador Retriever, just pop out a cube and hand it over. You can also add some other Labrador Retriever-friendly fruits like banana or pineapple for an additional flavor boost.
When are blueberries bad for Labs?
1. Your Labrador Retriever has underlying health issues like…
Your Labrador Retriever needs to avoid blueberries if he has kidney disease or other chronic medical conditions.
2. Overindulgence, sugar
Moderation is key with any food given to your pup, so don’t make blueberries a regular treat. The high sugar content can contribute to diabetes or weight gain in Labs that overindulge in the fruit.
3. Store-bought blueberries
While wild blueberries may be safe for Labs, store-bought ones may contain sweeteners and preservatives that aren’t healthy for your Labrador Retriever’s diet.
What happens when your Labs eat too many blueberries?
* Vomiting: You will notice vomiting in your Labrador Retriever after eating too many blueberries. This is because the Labrador Retriever’s body may be trying to expel the fruit before it breaks down and enters the feces.
* Diarrhea: Your Labrador Retriever will have diarrhea if it eats too many blueberries. You will see signs that are similar to when a human has diarrhea, such as loose stools, but you will also notice there is more of it than usual. The consistency of the diarrhea may be watery or mucus-like, depending on how long your Labrador Retriever has been eating blueberries.
* Bloat: Bloating occurs when air gets trapped in the stomach and intestines after eating a large amount of food, including blueberries. When this happens, you might see that your Labrador Retriever’s stomach swells up with gas, which can cause an uncomfortable feeling for them as well as pain if they try to pass gas through their anus (which they might do).
* Abdominal pain: Your Labrador Retriever may have abdominal pain after eating too many blueberries. This is because of the fiber content in the fruit which can irritate their digestive tract and lead to cramps or other symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting or bloating (see above).
What to do if your Labs eat too many blueberries?
Labs that have eaten a lot of blueberries can show signs like vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, or an upset stomach. Keep your pooch hydrated by offering them plenty of water.
You will want to be on the lookout for any other concerning symptoms like lethargy, weakness, or difficulty breathing. If these occur, seek the advice of your veterinarian immediately. This is especially true if your Labrador Retriever has consumed a large amount of blueberries in one sitting.
If your Labrador Retriever has shown no signs at all, it is likely they will be fine but call your vet and let them know what happened just in case they should keep an eye out for anything concerning during their next visit.
Can my Labrador Retriever eat blueberry muffins?
No, your Labrador Retriever should not eat blueberry muffins.
Blueberry muffins may contain toxic ingredients, such as sweeteners and milk that can cause health problems in Labs.
You should avoid other processed blueberries as well, because they may contain added ingredients that are not safe for Labs.
Other human foods Labrador Retrievers can eat
What other human foods can Labs eat? Here is a list of some other human foods your Lab can eat.
So, can Labs eat blueberries?
In short, yes.
Blueberries are rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, and fiber. This makes them an excellent treat for Labs. However, you should only give your Labrador Retriever blueberries in moderation.
They’re safe to eat, but they’re not a replacement for a healthy diet. Blueberries and other fruits and vegetables should only be given as a small treat now and then. If you do want to feed them to your Labrador Retriever regularly, make sure that it’s part of a healthy diet that includes a lot of nutrients appropriate for your Labrador Retriever’s size, age, and health problems.