Cranberry sauces and pies are a Thanksgiving favourite that many dog parents can’t resist sharing with their dogs.
But are cranberries safe for dogs? Or will a bite of your heavenly cranberry cake result in a trip to the vet?
Table of Contents
1. Are Cranberries Safe for Dogs?
2. Moderation Is Key
3. Cranberries May Not Be Palatable
4. Read Product Labels
5. Confirm Whether All the Ingredients in a Cranberry Product Are Dog Safe
6. Consult Your Vet
7. Only Buy Organic Cranberries
8. Only Buy Deep Red Cranberry Products
9. Raw Cranberries Can Be a Choking Hazard
10. Let Your Dog Enjoy Some Cranberry Treats
Luckily, cranberries do seem to be okay for dogs, provided you feed them in moderation. However, like many other fruits and vegetables, cranberries can pose some risks for dogs.
Therefore, it’s essential you take the following precautions before buying any cranberry products for your favourite furry friend.
We’ll take you through some precautions that relate to:
- How safe cranberries are for dogs
- How to safely give your dog cranberries
- The variations of cranberries that dogs can have
- Some risks that cranberries pose for dogs
- The palatability of the fruits
- Ingredients to look out for
Are Cranberries Safe for Dogs?
The American Kennel Club (AKC) says that both fresh and dried cranberries are safe for dogs, but only in small quantities.
Cranberries are rich in antioxidants, making them great for your furry friend’s immune system. They’re also rich in prebiotic fibre, minerals, and vitamins, which help to keep your dog healthy.
Making them part of your dog’s diet will help to:
- Reduce inflammation
- Keep their gut healthy
- Fight off urinary tract issues
- Maintain and improve bladder and kidney health
1. Moderation Is Key
As with any other treat, moderation is key when feeding cranberries to your dog.
Ideally, a handful of fresh cranberries and a little less when dried is enough for the day.
Too little means your furbaby won’t enjoy all the benefits of cranberries, while too much can be risky as it may lead to:
- Stomach upset
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Bloody urine
- Bladder stones
- An increased risk of developing calcium oxalate urinary crystals
2. Cranberries May Not Be Palatable
Cranberries, whether fresh or dried, have a sour taste that most dogs don’t like.
Additionally, some dogs just don’t like fruits and vegetables, so you might have to find creative ways to include cranberries in their diet.
Freeze-Dried Organic Wild Cranberry Powder is an amazing product that can be sprinkled over your dog’s food or drink without them noticing.
Alternatively, you can add the powder as an ingredient when baking their favourite treats to add nutrients, colour and flavour.
3. Read Product Labels
Product labels let you know what to expect from a product before you purchase it. It’s important to read product labels, whether you’re buying cranberries from the store or online, to determine their safety and quality.
There are a few things you’ll want to look out for, including:
- That the brand has been commissioned for clinical studies of their products
- A lot number to prove the company uses quality control checks
- Instructions on how to use the product to avoid overfeeding or underfeeding your dog
LOOV Food’s Freeze-Dried Organic Wild Cranberry Powder has all the above on its product packaging. The product is also USDA-Certified and contains clearly stated nutritional facts, ensuring you know exactly what you’re about to feed your dog.
4. Confirm Whether All the Ingredients in a Cranberry Product Are Dog Safe
Your dog can enjoy cranberries in a variety of forms, from fresh or dried to sauces and juices.
While cranberries themselves are safe for your dog in all forms, you need to exercise caution when it comes to additional ingredients.
Here’s a table showing what to be cautious of in dried cranberries, cranberry sauces and juice, and why.
| Look out for | Why |
| Sugar | Excess sugar may cause stomach upset, diarrhea or vomiting
Can cause dental issues May lead to excessive weight gain Xylitol, a popular sweetener, can cause hypoglycemia and life-threatening drops in blood sugar levels |
| Raisins, grapes, and currants | Can cause kidney failure in dogs and may lead to death within 72 hours. Here are symptoms of grape or raisin toxicity:
Vomiting or nausea Diarrhoea Lethargy or sluggishness Excessive thirst Excessive urination |
| Alcohol | Hypoglycemia
Vomiting and retching Weakness Restlessness and excessive panting |
5. Consult Your Vet
It’s always best to consult your vet before adding any new foods to your dog’s diet. This is even more important if your dog has underlying health conditions.
Cranberries can increase the risk of bleeding in dogs who are already on blood thinning medication and increase the risk of calcium oxalate stones.
Your vet is in the best position to advise you on how many cranberries your dog should eat based on their breed, size, age and caloric requirements.
6. Only Buy Organic Cranberries
Organic cranberries are your best bet if you want to nourish your dog with all the goodness of Nordic berries.
Organic cranberries are grown in a bog environment free from pesticides, insecticides and herbicides. Cranberries are particularly susceptible to weeds and pests, so organic farming of the fruits is not common.
Fortunately, at LOOV Food, organic Nordic berry farming is our specialty. All our cranberry products are safe for your furry friends because:
- We use organic cranberries handpicked from certified European forests.
- Our cranberry products have no cross-contact with allergens during processing.
- Our cranberries are 100% non-GMO and don’t contain any additives, colourings, or preservatives.
- We use wild cranberries, which contain more calcium, manganese and magnesium than cultivated berries.
Buying from us means you also get to support fair pay and labour. We’re also an eco-friendly brand that uses sustainable packaging and ensures your products are delivered as consciously as possible.
💡 Expert Tip:
Organic farming methods increase the antioxidants in fruits and vegetables, including cranberries. It also boosts the amount of vitamins and minerals in foods significantly.
7. Only Buy Deep Red Cranberry Products
The depth of colour of your favourite cranberry products is a sign of quality.
Products made using wild organic cranberries have a deep red colour, which shows that the berries are rich in anthocyanins.
Anthocyanins also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that stall the growth of malignant cells and prevent age-related brain function decline in older dogs.
Freeze-dried cranberry powder is an excellent option because it contains the same amount of nutrients as fresh cranberries.
Furthermore, freeze-drying ensures that the powder maintains the same taste, colour and flavour as fresh berries.
It’s important to note that products made using wild organic cranberries will have a deeper red colour than those made with cultivated cranberries whose skins are a lighter shade.
8. Raw Cranberries Can Be a Choking Hazard
Raw cranberries have a smooth but waxy texture and can be a choking hazard for smaller dogs. Senior dogs can also have a hard time enjoying this treat; biting into them can be a problem, and they’re less digestible when eaten whole.
Here’s how you can make raw cranberries more palatable for your dogs:
- Chop them into quarters
- Cook them down slightly, alone or in dog’s homemade food
- Puree them
- Bake them into a batch of dog treats
When cooking, boiling or baking with cranberries, remember not to add sugar like you would for yourself.
Additionally, always defrost frozen cranberries before feeding them to your dog. Chewing on frozen berries can damage their teeth.
Let Your Dog Enjoy Some Cranberry Treats
LOOV Food offers amazing Nordic berry products with unique flavours and powerful nutrition, including lingonberry and cranberry powder, juices and jam. Our products are made from whole organic wild berries and are meant to be enjoyed by you and your furry best friend.
Our organic cranberry powder is the perfect addition for your dog’s diet as it’s easy to incorporate and can be enjoyed with wet and dry food. The powder is freeze-dried to preserve the highest quality of nutrients.
“…It’s a delicious treat that has nutritional benefits.”
– deckow.arturo
“Great product. Great customer service.”
– Sara.G
Give your furry friend an immunity boost by adding this powder to their favourite foods, drinks and treats
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