- Scientific Name: Rubus (genus)
- Common Name: Raspberry
- Dangerous Compounds: Xylitol
- Toxic to Dogs: Not in small amounts
- Common Symptoms: vomiting, weakness, hypoglycemia, lethargy, loss of coordination
Can dogs eat Raspberries?
Yes, Raspberries, fortunately, are not one of the deadly berries – these little red berries are very good for your dog.
Fresh fruit is loaded with healthy nutrients that can be very beneficial for your dog’s health. You have to be careful about which fruit you feed your dog, however, because some fruits are potentially toxic to dogs.
Health Benefits of Raspberries
Raspberries are loaded with antioxidants as well as other essential nutrients – your dog is also bound to love their natural sweetness.
When feeding your dog raspberries, make sure to clean them well to remove any trace of pesticides that may have been used in growing the berries. Here is an overview of the health benefits your dog can derive from eating fresh raspberries:
- Rich in dietary fiber which can help to regulate your dog’s digestion, protecting against both diarrhea and constipation.
- The fiber content in raspberries, in combination with their low-calorie content, makes them a healthy treat for dogs who need to lose weight.
- Loaded with antioxidants like anthocyanins and ellagic acid which help to protect against free-radical damage as well as cancer and heart disease.
- Contains natural anti-inflammatory compounds which can be beneficial for your dog’s joint health, particularly if he has arthritis or other joint conditions.
- Natural source of essential minerals like potassium, copper, iron, magnesium, and manganese.
- Contain Vitamin C which is important for bone and muscle growth, especially in young puppies.
- Rich in healthy vitamins which support eye health and immune health as well as healthy skin and coat.
Remember that you should only be feeding your dog fresh fruit in moderation. The dietary fiber content of fresh fruits can cause digestive disturbance if your dog eats too much, so make sure raspberries comprise no more than 5% of his daily diet.
Can Dogs Eat Raspberries?
Yes, in small amounts. Feeding raspberries to your dog is easy – simply offer him a few fresh or frozen berries and let him go to town!
Before feeding the raspberries to your dog, make sure to rinse them thoroughly to remove any traces of pesticides or other potential hazardous materials.
You should also consider buying organic raspberries for your dog because they are the least likely to be contaminated with any kind of dangerous chemical. As long as you wash the berries well, however, it doesn’t really matter.
One thing you need to be aware of with raspberries is that they do contain a small amount of xylitol. You may know of xylitol as a sugar alcohol, a synthetic sweetener that can be toxic for dogs.
The type of xylitol found in raspberries, however, is completely natural and it is only a very small amount. This being the case, the xylitol in raspberries is unlikely to cause a problem for your dog, but you should still feed them in moderation just to be safe.
Some symptoms of xylitol toxicity in dogs to keep an eye out for include vomiting, weakness, hypoglycemia, lethargy, loss of coordination and, in severe cases, seizures or coma.
Homemade Recipes for Dogs Using Raspberries
You can always feed your dog fresh or frozen raspberries, but there are also some interesting ways you can use these berries in homemade dog treats. Below you will find simple recipes for homemade dog treats you can make with raspberries:
Chicken and Raspberry Dog Treats
Equipment
- Dog bone molds
- Freezer
Ingredients
- 1 cup  Chicken stock
- 1 cup Fresh or frozen defrosted raspberries
Instructions
- In a small food mash up the raspberries and then pour in the chicken stock.
- Mix until evenly combined and uniform in color.
- Pour into dog bone molds, filling to the top.
- Freeze for a minimum of 5 hours or overnight.
- To remove tap on the counter to loosen then turn out. If you have any trouble, quickly run the mold under warm water to help the treats release then turn out.
- Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Raspberry Turkey Dog Treat Recipe
Equipment
- oven
- Refrigerator
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
- 1 cup Cooked and chopped Turkey
- 1/2 cup Raspberries chopped
- 1 tsp Chopped Rosemary
- 1/2 cup Water
- 1 cup Brown Rice Flour
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- In a large bowl combine all of the ingredients, mixing until well combined.
- Once dough is well mixed roll dough into 1/2 inch balls and place them a inch apart onto the prepared baking sheet. Press down on the tops with a fork to flatten.
- Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, turn off oven and allow to cool inside with door slightly open. Refrigerate.
- Makes 1 to 2 dozen rounds
Heart-Healthy Carob Raspberry Pupcakes
Equipment
- oven
Ingredients
- 2 Eggs
- 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter
- 1/2 cup Nonfat Greek Yogurt
- 1/2 cup Organic Apple Sauce
- 1/4 cup Organic Honey
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 3 tbsp Pureed Raspberry
- 1 tbsp  Agave
- 1 cup Organic Whole Wheat Flour
- 1 tsp Baking Powder
- 1 tsp Baking Soda
- 1 tsp Carob Powder
- 1/4 cup  Fresh whole raspberries (Optional)
Frosting
- 1 pack Cream cheese
- 1 tbsp Pureed Raspberry
- 1/2 tsp Lemon Juice
- 3 tbsp Agave
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small mixing bowl, combine whole wheat flour, baking powder & baking soda. Whisk.Â
- In one large mixing bowl, mix together eggs and butter.
- Add in nonfat yogurt, apple sauce and honey. Mix again!
- Add agave, vanilla extract and raspberry puree.Â
- Slowly add in dry ingredients. Gently fold in fresh raspberries if you'd like!
- Pour into mini cupcake tins… make sure to use paper lining or no lining at all. (You don't want your dog accidentally ingesting aluminum lining!)Â
- Â Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes… (depends on your oven, altitude… until a toothpick comes out moist?)
- Â Let Cool and decorate with Frosting.Â
- You can top each cupcake with a dog treat or fresh raspberry!
Can raspberries kill dogs?
Fact, raspberries can provide many health benefits to canines. Keep in mind that large amounts of raspberries may upset your dog's stomach, and extremely high amount of raspberries may cause hypoglycemia or even be fatal.
How many raspberries can I give my dog?
This means that in order to eat enough raspberries to cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) a 10kg dog would have to eat 4-6 cups of raspberries. To eat enough raspberries to be fatal, that same dog would have to eat at least 32 cups of raspberries!
What berries are bad for dogs?
Stay away from cherries, holly berries, juniper berries, baneberries, poke berries, and mistletoe berries. These contain pits and/or chemicals that can be health hazards for your dog. And remember to feed your dogs limited quantities because too much can be bad news!
What happens if a dog eats raspberries?
Raspberries are safe for dogs to eat, but they should be given in moderation. The fruit contains antioxidants, which are great for dogs, especially senior dogs due to anti-inflammatory properties that can help alleviate joint pain.