Can Dogs Eat Cranberries?

The short answer: Yes, but in moderation.

The long answer: Cranberries are small, round, red-coloured fruits that are great sources of potassium, fiber, and vitamin C. The antioxidants and nutrients found in them can help improve your dog’s cognitive function, support his immune system, decrease inflammation and skin irritation, and reduce tartar and plaque buildup in his teeth. 

Low in calories and high in fiber, cranberries can assist with your dog’s overall health. They are known to help prevent cancer, and decrease your dog’s risk for developing a variety of circulatory and gastrointestinal diseases. 

How to feed cranberries to your dog: Your dog can consume fresh, cooked, or dried cranberries once in a while. When feeding him fresh cranberries, wash them properly beforehand and take out spoiled or overripe pieces. When serving him cooked cranberries, make sure they are not produced with sugar or any other seasoning that may be toxic for your dog. When serving him dried cranberries, check the box to guarantee that they don’t come with raisins, which are lethal for him. 

Never feed your dog cranberry sauce, cranberry juice, or cranberry-based desserts which are also known to be high in sugar and other preservatives.  

Here are three ideas for cranberry treats your dog will love:

1. This homemade treat consists of fresh cranberries, pumpkin puree, wheat flour, rolled oats, and stock.
2. Turkey and cranberry make the perfect combination for this bone-shaped holiday snack. 
3. Puree some fresh or frozen cranberries to create these doggie delights. 

In summary: Feed your dog cranberries as an occasional treat. Though cranberries can give your dog lots of vitamins, nutrients, and minerals, daily consumption of these fruits may cause calcium oxalate stones to develop in your dog’s bladder. Large amounts of cranberries may also upset his stomach, so you should consult with your veterinarian before including the fruit in your dog’s diet. Aside from cranberries, discover which other fruits dogs can safely eat in our “can dogs eat” category. 

References: 

Cranberry for Dogs

Can Dogs Eat Cranberries? Are Cranberries Safe for Dogs?