Can Dogs Eat Gooseberries?
Dogs can eat gooseberries, but they are not the best fruit for them. Your dog will most likely stay away from gooseberries, but if they happen to eat some, don’t worry! Gooseberries are not toxic to dogs.
My husband, for some strange reason, adores gooseberries. He used to eat pickled gooseberries when he was little, and that was his favorite thing. My mom, on the other hand, used to make amazing gooseberry jelly that we loved to eat with hot bread and butter and also used to fill crepes.
My dog has never tried gooseberries, as we simply don’t buy them. But I’ve read a lot of articles online and haven’t found a single study warning about gooseberries being toxic to dogs! So, that’s really good news!
Are gooseberries safe for dogs?
Gooseberries are safe for dogs, but you need to make sure that you give your dog only a few gooseberries here and there. First, dogs can’t handle sugar and fiber that well.
Gooseberries have tiny amounts (traces) of cyanide
Then, gooseberries contain tiny amounts of cyanide, but mostly in the leaves and seeds. With cyanide poisoning from fruit seeds, you don’t need to worry that much as most dogs just swallow seeds without chewing them, so the cyanide doesn’t get released into their system.
With gooseberries, to get cyanide poisoning, your dog would have to eat a lot of berries and crush the seeds. That rarely, and honestly, almost never happens.
Gooseberries have oxalic acid
The second reason why gooseberries can be bad for dogs is because they contain oxalic acid. Oxalic acid can be bad for dogs that have kidney issues or bladder stones. But even then, your dog would have to eat a lot of gooseberries to experience sensitivity to oxalates.
Some other foods high in oxalates are spinach and beets, which dogs can eat safely. It’s only if you know that your dog has kidney issues that you need to be careful.
So, all in all, gooseberries are safe for dogs, even though not recommended. What you need to be careful about are gooseberry bushes because the leaves and stems are a little more toxic to dogs.
What happens if my dog eats too many gooseberries?
If your dog eats too many gooseberries, they will upset their stomach. Stomach upset from too much fruit usually includes vomiting and diarrhea. The good thing is that this is always just temporary, so you don’t really need to do anything other than make sure that they eat something healthy, like their regular dog food, for the next meal.
How many gooseberries can I give my dog?
It’s best to give your dog only a few gooseberries as an occasional treat. Small dogs can have one or two, while larger dogs can eat a handful at one sitting, but only as a special treat since their diet should be 90% regular dog food.
What are some dog-friendly alternatives to gooseberries?
If you’re looking for safer fruit options for your dog, here are some great alternatives:
- Blueberries: One of the best fruits for dogs, blueberries are full of vitamins and a really great treat.
- Strawberries: High in vitamin C and naturally sweet, strawberries are a popular choice for dogs.
- Apples: A crunchy, low-calorie snack! Apples are good for dogs and they are one of the healthiest and safest fruits you can share. Just make sure to remove the seeds and the core.
- Bananas: Bananas are great for dogs, and they are a perfect treat for special occasions (mixed with some peanut butter and Greek yogurt).
- Watermelon: Hydrating and refreshing, watermelon is perfect for dogs on a hot day. Just remove the seeds and rind.
Love, life, and fur forever!
FAQs
Can dogs eat dried gooseberries?
Dogs can eat dried gooseberries, but they really shouldn’t. Also, a small pack is about $20, so do you really want to share? Jokes aside, dried gooseberries are not toxic to dogs, so if your dog eats some by accident, don’t worry. But, like all other dried fruit, it’s not good for them as it’s really concentrated sugar. It’s better to skip.