Can dogs or cats eat raspberries?

1 August 2023
This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian with any questions you may have regarding your pet’s care, treatment, or medical conditions.

Can dogs eat raspberries?

Raspberries are a delicious fruit that can be safely fed to dogs in small amounts. They will love it as a small, refreshing fruit snack when out on a walk or sitting in the garden. Like anything in life, we recommend moderation.

Treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog's diet, so take this into account when feeding raspberries to your dog.

Can dogs eat raspberry jam?

Sadly, your dog cannot enjoy sharing some raspberry jam with you. Raspberry jam is high in sugar, which can give your dog a stomachache. Jams can also contain artificial sweeteners such as Xylitol, which are highly toxic to dogs.

If your dog has eaten a small amount of jam (less than half a teaspoon), you should see no side effects. But contact your vet for advice just to be on the safe side.

Can dogs eat frozen raspberries?

This is a great way to help cool dogs down in summer. Small amounts of frozen raspberries can increase your dog's water intake, which is helpful in hot weather; you can consider it nature's ice lolly. Keep each berry separate to avoid feeding dogs a large frozen clump, as this can lead to an obstruction or choking hazard if eaten quickly.

Can dogs eat dried raspberries?

Freeze-dried raspberries are safe for dogs to eat as long as they are 100% raspberry with no extra additives or preservatives. Small portions of dried raspberries add a splash of colour to an otherwise boring meal and can help increase appetite, helpful in older dogs or dogs with other medical problems that reduce appetite.

Can dogs eat raspberry ice cream or sorbet?

No, it's best to stick to feeding the natural fruit raspberry, instead. Ice cream contains dairy, which dogs are not designed to process well, so it can lead to diarrhoea, bloating, and flatulence, which is uncomfortable for your dog to experience. Sorbet has similar effects on the gastrointestinal system due to its sugar and fat content, so it should be avoided.

Can dogs eat raspberry jelly?

No, raspberry jelly is not safe for dogs to eat in any amount. Jellies often contain xylitol for artificial sweetening, which is toxic to dogs. Xylitol causes a crash in the blood sugar levels, leading to signs of hypoglycaemia - collapse, coma, seizures and lethargy. This is scary to experience and needs veterinary care to treat. To avoid this issue, stick to feeding the raspberry fruit in its natural form.

What are the benefits of raspberries for dogs?

Raspberries are a coloured berry, which means they are packed with antioxidants and omega oils. Both of these compounds act as natural anti-inflammatory molecules, helping to reduce inflammation and aid in repair. Older dogs, or those with medical issues like arthritis, can feel the benefit of raspberries most.

What are the signs of a raspberry allergy?

Risks of a raspberry allergy are low. You are more likely to see effects from eating one too many raspberries, leading to gastroenteritis and diarrhoea. Raspberries contain micro amounts of xylitol, so theoretically, if eaten in huge volumes, they may cause a crash in blood sugars.

But this risk is low, and your vet would be more concerned about the risks of gastrointestinal disease as a result of the large raspberry volume ingestion.

So that's everything we need to know about feeding raspberries safely to dogs. But what about cats? Let's look a bit closer at the feline considerations when adding raspberries into their diet.

Can cats eat raspberries?

Yes, raspberries are safe for cats to eat. Cats do actually tend to like the taste and texture of raspberries, so they are a good fruit option to try feeding to your cat. They are rich in antioxidants and a source of fibre.

Can cats eat raspberry jam?

Raspberry jam cannot be fed to your cat. It's high in sugar, which can cause a microbiome upset leading to gastrointestinal symptoms. Jams contain preservatives and artificial sweeteners, which can be irritating or toxic to cats, so it’s best to avoid using jam as a food option for cats.

Can cats eat frozen raspberries?

If small in size, they are safe to feed and are cooling for cats to enjoy in hotter weather. Not all cats will want to eat a frozen raspberry, but it's safe to offer one if you want to. Feed frozen raspberries one at a time and sit with your cat whilst eating to make sure they do not ingest whole, as this can be a choking risk.

Can cats eat dried raspberries?

Yes! They’re best used on top of meals to add colour, texture, and make food more inviting. Freeze-dried raspberries are a great way to encourage enthusiasm for eating meals. This is a great trick when trying to transition to a new diet for health reasons, as it can be challenging to get cats to eat a new diet if they are used to their previous one.

Can cats eat raspberry ice cream or sorbet?

No. Eating raspberry ice cream or sorbet will cause gastrointestinal upset, often followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, and reduced appetite. Whilst short-lived, it may prevent your cat from eating anything raspberry-related in the future, which would be a shame to miss out on the health benefits of this fruit long term.

Can cats eat raspberry jelly?

Raspberry jelly usually contains artificial sweeteners, which are toxic to cats. So we suggest not letting your cat eat any raspberry jelly, and to seek vet help if you think your cat has eaten raspberry (or any flavour) jelly.

What are the health benefits of raspberries for cats?

There are many health benefits of raspberries. They are a source of fibre, manganese, omega oils, and antioxidants. They are considered one of the super foods as, per gram, the health benefits are significant. We recommend feeding three raspberries per week per cat for maximum health benefits without side effects.

Food safety statuses

Safe

Could be given almost daily without harm

Safe in moderation

Not toxic, but should not be given regularly

Unsafe

Toxic or simply too risky to give to your pet