Can Dogs Eat Cranberries?

Can dogs eat cranberries? Cranberries — a tart, slightly sweet and delicious berry — might seem an unusual type of food to give to a dog, but we know what our four-legged friends are like; if their pet parents are tucking into them, they’re bound to look appealing.

Cranberry sauce is traditionally served as an accompaniment to turkey on Thanksgiving or at Christmas, but can be enjoyed at any time of year. Just like any berry fruit, cranberries can be eaten as a snack, added to porridge or yogurt, baked into cakes or cookies, blended into a smoothie, or drink as cranberry juice.

Cranberries have a multitude of health benefits and can treat a variety of illnesses and ailments in humans. But, are cranberries and dogs a thing? Can dogs eat cranberries or even like them? Are cranberries bad for dogs? Let’s take a closer look.

There isn’t a straightforward yes or no answer to this. We’ve seen some dogs eagerly eat fresh fruit, and others turn their nose up at fruit or spit it out. Every dog is different when it comes to food — some vacuum up just about anything without a second thought, others are more fussy or picky eaters. We’re going to guess that cranberries are generally a lot less appealing than other human foods such as sausages or cheese, but that’s not to say that some dogs won’t eat cranberries.

Most dogs don't like to eat tart and tangy fruits and other foods, so it will either be a hit or miss whether they will enjoy the fruit on its own.

So, can dogs eat cranberries? According to American Kennel Club advice, cranberries are safe to eat — in moderation, just like many foods. Dogs tend to have sensitive stomachs, so any additional foods over and above their usual diet should be given sparingly; overfeeding on snacks and treats can lead to digestive problems.

If you’re feeding fresh cranberries as a snack, stick to the very occasional one or two. It’s worth remembering that dogs can’t eat grapes — these are toxic to canines — and while cranberries are considered safer, the two fruits share similarities.

Don’t overlook another potential issue when it comes to cranberries and dogs. A raw cranberry, given to your dog whole, could represent a risk of choking, especially in smaller breeds with smaller mouths. If you’re going to feed your pup the occasional raw cranberry, observe them the whole time.

We also know that raisins are extremely toxic if eaten by dogs; raisin poisoning can be very serious indeed for pups, leading to life-threatening conditions such as acute renal failure. 

Dried cranberries don’t pose the same threat as dried raisins, but you should still feed these to your dog in very small quantities and also be vigilant when it comes to the source. Some packets of dried cranberries may come as a dried fruit mix with raisins and grapes, in which case you should avoid these completely.

Also, most dried cranberries are loaded with sugar, so always check the label and make sure the brand you buy doesn’t have added sugar, or a sweetener like xylitol which is toxic to dogs. Look for dried cranberries that are all-natural and unsweetened.

We’re not sure why you might want to give your dog cranberry sauce, but if you do, make sure it’s plain cranberry sauce that simply and strictly consists of cranberries and water. Don’t feed canned cranberry sauce and jellied cranberry sauce to your pup, as this is high in sugar and may contain grapes, raisins, or currants — which are all toxic to canines. Cranberry sauce with brandy, which you might find available during the festive season, is also a no-no.

When sharing cranberry sauce with your dog, the safest option is one that you’re making from scratch with fresh fruit.

For the same reasons, if you’re asking, ‘can dogs have cranberry juice?’ the answer is probably no. Cranberry juice may contain sugars and acids, which are toxic to dogs.

Are cranberries bad for dogs? Like many different types of food, they will be if you feed your pup too much. Giving your dog too many cranberries can cause an upset stomach from the acid in the fruit, so make sure you’re limiting their intake every day — ideally, you won’t be feeding them cranberries on a daily basis anyway.

Medium-sized dogs can enjoy a few cranberries per day, and larger pups can have a bit more. If your dog is smaller, one or two berries will do. 

While cranberries are not toxic to canines, you’ll want to make sure your dog isn’t experiencing signs of gastrointestinal distress such as vomiting or diarrhea. Always give your dog cranberries in small quantities.

Cranberries provide a host of health benefits for dogs, including:

Guards against inflammation

Helps to protect teeth 

Helps prevent cancer 

Fights UTIs

Given the health benefits that eating cranberries can deliver to dogs, it can be beneficial to feed a supplement containing the fruit than the berry in dried or raw format, or as a sauce.

Many retailers stock cranberry supplements for dogs in chewable tablet form, with some specifically formulated to support urinary tract and bladder health.

Visit the online store at Chewy to find cranberry supplements for dogs, including products from Nutramax, Zesty Paws and Pet MD.