Yes, dogs can safely eat fresh or frozen blueberries, which are considered a nutritious, low-calorie "superfood" packed with antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins C and K. They are excellent for immune system support and brain health, especially in senior dogs. Always feed them in moderation (a few berries at a time) to avoid digestive upset, and avoid canned or sugary options.
Blueberries contain a good amount of fiber, which can help regulate your dog's bowel movements and support gut health. If your dog experiences occasional constipation or digestive issues, adding fiber-rich foods like blueberries in moderation may help.
Although blueberries are a healthy treat, their small size could present a choking hazard for some dogs. Eating too many could also result in digestive upset. Cavities in dogs are rare but may form if they eat too much sugar. Blueberries may be healthy, but they also contain sugar, so feed in moderation.
Unlike other fruits, which may have toxic components, every part of a banana is safe for your dog to eat, for the most part. That's not to say there aren't any risks involved, though. They also may not get all the nutritional benefits humans get from this fruit, but bananas make a good – and motivating – treat.
What is the number one food you should never feed your dog?
There isn't one single "number one" food, but chocolate, xylitol, grapes/raisins, and onions/garlic are consistently ranked as extremely dangerous toxins, causing symptoms from vomiting to severe kidney failure or seizures, with chocolate being a top concern due to its widespread availability and theobromine content. Xylitol, an artificial sweetener, is also highly toxic, causing rapid insulin release and liver failure.
The amount of blueberries you can safely feed your dog depends on their size, age, and overall health. As a general rule, treats should only make up about 10% of your dog's daily calorie intake. For small dogs, a few blueberries a day is sufficient, while larger dogs can have a handful.
High in omega oils, blueberries keep you and your dog's brain healthy, also helping your dog have a shiny coat. Omega oils are part of what promotes your dog's heart health. They also help with itchy, flakey, and dry skin and help with joint pain.
Recently, it has been suggested that a high percentage of processed grains can also lead to constipation in dogs. Highly processed grains do not retain much of their natural fiber, and can be difficult for a canine digestive system to process.
Yes, dogs can eat ripe, red tomatoes in small amounts as a healthy treat, but you must avoid the green parts (leaves, stems, unripe tomatoes) as they contain toxic compounds like solanine and tomatine which can cause poisoning. Always serve plain, ripe tomatoes in moderation, as too many can upset a sensitive stomach, and never give them sauces or seasoned tomato products.
Plain, cooked potatoes (boiled, baked, or mashed without butter or seasoning) are best for dogs. Avoid raw potatoes, green parts, fries, and heavily seasoned dishes, which can be toxic or cause digestive issues. Moderation is key. All treats combined should make up no more than 10% of your dog's daily diet.
The leading cause of death in dogs, especially older dogs, is cancer, affecting roughly 1 in 4 dogs and significantly more in certain breeds like Golden Retrievers. While cancer dominates older dogs, younger dogs often succumb to trauma, infectious diseases, or congenital issues. Kidney disease, heart failure, gastrointestinal problems (like bloat in large breeds), and neurological conditions are also common causes, varying significantly by breed, size, and age.
Apple seeds contain trace amounts of cyanide, so if your dog gets ahold of several seeds, they could become sick. The stems and leaves of apples also contain cyanide, so avoid those as well. Apple cores can also cause choking or intestinal obstructions. So don't give these to dogs.
It is entirely acceptable to feed your dog a pure kibble diet. Or you can mix their diet up with some cooked or raw meat, fish, vegetables and rice. Many owners like to feed a raw meat diet to their dogs, and while this can suit some dogs very well, there are some important considerations you need to be aware of.
You may have heard about the 5 minute rule (5 minutes of exercise per month of age) – it's important to know that there's no scientific evidence behind this rule, and although it might work for some, it's not appropriate for most puppies.
