Can dogs or cats eat raspberries?

August 1, 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 and nutritious treat for humans, but are they safe for dogs? If eaten in moderation, yes! In fact, they're a great source of vitamins and antioxidants. Plus, one cup of raspberries has 8 grams of dietary fiber, which is more than most fruits!

Raspberries contain vitamin C, which helps boost your canine friend's immune system. And the fruit's high fiber content contributes to healthy digestion and bowel movements. Just be aware, eating too many raspberries can cause digestive issues and diarrhea in some dogs. Again, moderation is key.

Finally, just be mindful that you should always be cautious when you introduce any new food into your pet's diet. Even small amounts of a new food could make your dog sick if they don't tolerate that particular food well. Start with small quantities and observe how your pup reacts to them before offering them more. Also, make sure you wash the raspberries thoroughly beforehand and remove any stems or leaves, as these may cause choking or other health problems.

Before introducing a new food item into your pet's diet, consult with your veterinarian first. If your dog eats raspberries (or any food) and is showing signs of illness such as lethargy, diarrhea, or vomiting, reach out to your veterinarian immediately. If they require veterinary care related to eating any unsafe foods, pet insurance can help cover the cost of treatment.

Can cats eat raspberries?

Raspberries are a nutritious and tasty treat for humans, but what about cats? Yep, raspberries are safe for cats to eat in moderation!

Raspberries contain vital nutrients such as vitamin C, manganese, fiber, and antioxidants, which can boost your cat's immune system and promote healthy digestion. Plus, the high water content in raspberries helps keep your cat hydrated, and the fruit's high fiber content can help with their digestion.

However, although raspberries are packed with essential vitamins and minerals that are beneficial to your cat's overall health, keep in mind that overfeeding them raspberries can lead to health complications and digestive illnesses like diarrhea or upset stomach. One reason for this is that the raspberries, like other fruits, have a fairly high sugar content. If you do introduce raspberries to your cat's diet, you should only do so in small quantities, as an occasional treat.

Also, make sure you wash raspberries thoroughly and remove any stems or leaves before feeding them to your cat, as these may cause choking or other health problems.

Finally, just remember that cats are obligate carnivores, which means they need to get most of their nutrients from eat. You should never introduce a large quantity of plant-based foods into their diet so as to replace some of the meat in their diet.

As always, before introducing a new food item into your pet's diet, consult with your veterinarian first. If your cat eats raspberries (or any food) and is showing signs of illness such as lethargy, diarrhea, or vomiting, reach out to your veterinarian immediately. If they require veterinary care related to eating any unsafe foods, pet insurance can help cover the cost of treatment.

Information Purposes Only

The suggestions offered here are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for pet-specific advice from your veterinarian. Never disregard your vet’s recommendations, or delay in acting on them, based on something you have read on this site. Regardless of how a food is rated here, any food that you give your pet can pose potential health risks, including allergic reactions, choking, or other health conditions such as bloat. Always monitor your pet while they’re eating, and never introduce a new food into your pet’s diet without first consulting your veterinarian. 

Pet Poison Emergency Protocol

If your pet is acting sick, call your regular veterinarian immediately. If your regular veterinarian is closed, call a nearby on-call veterinarian, animal urgent care, or veterinary emergency hospital. If your pet is not acting sick but you think they may have been exposed to a poison, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661).

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