Can dogs or cats 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.