πŸ’ Can Dogs Eat Goji Berries - The facts

Is this known super food good for dogs, or is it toxic for all animals, find out more here

A big, beautiful dish of dried goji berries

Summary

Yes, dogs can eat goji berries, but because of the high sugar content, it is only recommended in moderation. Goji berries are considered to be one of the most beneficial berries on earth for humans. They provide many vitamins and minerals to the body

Are Goji berries safe for dogs?

Dogs should not eat goji berries too often because they contain high levels of sugar that could lead to weight gain or stomach upset. One or two small berries per day should be fine though. If you want to be sure that your dog will love the taste, just crush them into food items like meatballs or other regular treats! Even if your pup doesn’t seem interested in eating gojis at first, try sprinkling some crushed up pieces onto his food; he’ll probably start eating soon after!

Are goji berries safe for puppies?

They are generally safe for puppies but since they are not a traditional dog food it’s always best to introduce them slowly so their gut can get used to the new food. This way, the chances of any stomach upsets or allergies occurring are greatly reduced.

Can dogs eat them dried

Yes, you can feed dried goji berries to your dog. The nutritional value of these fruits is not reduced by drying themβ€”even if the quantity is cut in half. Dried Goji berries are safe for dogs because they’re low-calorie and high in nutrients like vitamin C.

What about fresh

These nutrient-dense treats are packed with so many good things that your pup would get serious digestive problems from eating too many at once. The amount fed should not exceed 8 grams per pound of bodyweight daily to prevent stomach upset, diarrhoea, or other side effects. Remember, they’re very sugary so moderation is key here.

BIG benefits for your dog

As mentioned above, the berries are packed with vitamins such as vitamin A, C, E and B. They also contain many beneficial minerals like calcium, zinc, iron and phosphorus. Many of these nutrients are vital for keeping your dog in shape while others protect his or her immune system against infections. As a matter of fact, the berry has been used to improve the immune system in humans for centuries πŸ‘Š.

βœ… Anti-inflammatory

Goji is known to have anti-inflammatory properties so it’s sometimes given to dogs with arthritis or joint problems due to old age. The antioxidants present in this fruit can help slow down the process of ageing too so it can be given to older dogs during their golden years.

βœ… Vitamin C

Vitamin C helps with dogs in regards to their immune system, just like in humans so it’s important to keep your dog fighting fit 🐢!

βœ… Calcium

Calcium and magnesium are great for maintaining strong teeth and bones so be sure to feed your dog these minerals as well.

βœ… Vitamin E

Goji berries are also great because they contain vitamin E. Vitamin E is good for the skin and fur of your dog so you’ll definitely notice a softer coat after eating goji berries regularly.

βœ… Iron

The berries contain iron which helps with your dog’s metabolism, and it helps make hemoglobin for healthy blood cells.

βœ… Fiber and carbohydrates

These berries contain soluble and insoluble fiber which is great because the dog’s digestive system will be moving along smoothly. They also contain carbohydrates so they can serve as a nice treat or supplement to your pup’s regular food.

βœ… Protein

The goji berry consists of about 22% of protein which is pretty good considering it has such high amounts of other nutrients.

βœ… Omega-3 fatty acids

The goji berry also contains omega-3 fatty acids which help skin and coats stay shiny and smooth! Be sure to give these berries as an occasional part of your dog’s diet and you’ll notice the Also, they’re easy to put in food

Another wonderful property of this berry is the fact that dogs cannot taste it. Most dogs will not even notice the small slivers of dried fruit and will happily munch their way through a bowl full without knowing they are actually doing themselves good. They have lots of antioxidants that can help your dog’s immune system so be sure to give it a go!

loose berries
A serving of dried goji berries

Side effects

There are no major side effects associated with Goji ingestion but it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on your dog when introducing anything new into his or her diet. Possible side effects include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and some more serious conditions like seizures. If you notice any of these symptoms then stop feeding Goji immediately until you speak with the veterinarian. No, gojis are not toxic to dogs. However, since they resemble grapes in size and color, it can be rather difficult for pups to distinguish between them and regular grapes which are very dangerous for them.

Although grape poisoning πŸ‡ in dogs is usually triggered by the ingestion of varietals that grow in America or Western Europe due to their high levels of cyanide in the soil, there have also been reports of poisoning caused by ingestion of Himalayan gojis (grown in China). This doesn’t mean you should stop giving your pup this healthy fruit.

Introducing to your dog - precautions

Even though Goji is perfectly safe for your canine companion there are some precautions that you need to take just in case. For example, dogs who have problems with sand shouldn’t eat these fruits because they will usually try to swallow everything whole and this may cause blockage issues. Furthermore, only give your pup the dried variety, as fresh ones contain ethylene glycol which is toxic for dogs.

Goji Berries as Dog Treats

Many dog owners like to use dried goji berries as treats for their four-legged friends. The small pieces of dried fruit make perfect training rewards or teatime snacks; dogs love the crunchy texture of these dried fruits.

Conclusion

Goji berries are a tasty and healthy fruit that your pooch can safely enjoy with no side effects or health risks involved whatsoever providing you don’t feed too many as discussed above. Furthermore, while some vets may say otherwise, others claim that there isn’t enough evidence showing this fruit may be harmful to pets so you shouldn’t worry about it too much if you want to treat your pet with it (remember not every vet agrees on what’s good or bad for a dogs diet).

Amanda Brennan
Amanda Brennan

Animal enthusiasts, she works closely with animals that require rehabilitation across the US and writes for several pet websites. Her other interests are photography πŸ“Έ and training to run a marathon πŸƒβ€β™€οΈ.

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