Can dogs eat cranberries?

Updated 18/04/2024

Cranberries: the gem of the festive season and popular on the health food scene, we wouldn't blame your canine companion for twitching their snout when the cranberry sauce is served. And as you might already know, they're packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that can help to prevent diseases and fight off infections. So with that in mind, you might be wondering - can dogs eat cranberries? Luckily for your curious canine, yes, dogs can eat cranberries within reason. They're a low calorie, nutrient-packed snack that's fine in small doses for pups. So for more on the health benefits of cranberries for dogs and for answers to some common questions on the topic, take a look  below to find out how they can safely find their way into your dog's bowl.

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Are cranberries poisonous to dogs?

So can dogs eat cranberries all the time and in any form, or are cranberries toxic to dogs if served in a certain way? Well we're happy to let you know that cranberries aren't poisonous to dogs - they don't contain any nasty compounds that could cause symptoms of toxicity. But like with any dog-safe 'human food', cranberries should be shared sparingly as a treat - too many could result in an upset stomach. Plus, when letting your pooch try something new for the first time, you should always monitor their behavior and general health in the hours after, just in case by some slim chance, they're allergic. 

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Are cranberries good for dogs?

So can dogs eat cranberries and get any health benefits out of them, or are cranberries bad for dogs in any way? Well you'll be pleased to learn that cranberries are more than just a safe snack for dogs. In fact, there's a whole series of health benefits your pooch can reap if they snack on cranberries every now and then (if they can stomach the sharp taste, that is).  The breadth of micronutrients in these red little gems means they're thought to help to prevent certain cancers, and even help with the symptoms of a urinary tract infection although more research is required on this matter. For more on the health benefits of cranberries for dogs, take a look below. 

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Health benefits of eating cranberries for dogs

Below, we'll explore some of the health benefits that your pup could get out of munching on a cranberry or two every now and then. But as always, don't feel you need to add cranberries to your dog's diet for them to get the nutrients they need. Why? Well the dog food you choose is specifically formulated with a range of products from both plants and animals to make sure your pooch is fed the full spectrum of nutrients they need for their age, breed and even any health conditions they've got going on. So with that said, let's get into some of the suggested health benefits of cranberries for dogs.

• Antioxidants. These help to scavenge free radicals in your dog's body which can prevent the development of certain cancers.
• Acid-preventing proteins. These can help to keep your pup's mouth from developing a build-up of bacteria, helping with oral health and fresh breath. 
• Anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. These can help to halt the growth of bacteria like E.coli that could result in illness otherwise.   
• UTI prevention. Their usefulness is still under debate, but many believe that using cranberries for your dog's UTI prevention is effective. With that said though, you should always contact your vet if you think your pup is already suffering from a UTI.

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Feeding your dog cranberries

Cranberries should be considered a treat for your furry friend, with just 10% of their calorie intake being treats (i.e. non dog food). If you're thinking about sharing the odd cranberry here and there with your pup, be sure to slice them into small pieces - our furry friends certainly are eager eaters, so could easily choke if a cranberry is swallowed whole. And can dogs eat dried cranberries? Or can dogs eat raw cranberries with more safety? It's a bit of a mixed bag - with raw cranberries, you're guaranteed there are no nasty additions to be wary of, but dried are perfectly safe, so long as there's no added sugar or sweeteners present.

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Other cranberry products

Can dogs have cranberry juice?

While cranberries are safe for dogs, you should avoid sharing cranberry juice with your furry friend as it often contains grape juice, which is toxic to dogs.

Can dogs have cranberry sauce?

If you've made your own cranberry sauce with simply the fruit and water, then it's perfectly safe for dogs. Just be sure to never feed your pup cranberry sauce that's got any added ingredients such as raisins, sugar or xylitol.

Can dogs have cranberry pills?

Speak to your vet about adding supplements like cranberry pills into your dog's diet - it could help to prevent UTIs, but never consider adding cranberry pills made for humans in your pup's bowl.

Meet our veterinary expert, Emma

This article has been checked by veterinarian Emma Chandley, BVetMed MRCVS PGCertSAS. Emma graduated from the Royal Vet College in London in 2011. She has a keen interest in surgery and went on to do a postgraduate certificate in small animal surgery and was then awarded advanced practitioner status in the same discipline.

Other foods that are safe for dogs

So, now we've settled the question - can dogs eat cranberries, and we know that dogs and cranberries are sort of a match made in puppy heaven, take a look at a few more common foods dogs can eat.

• Blueberries
• Tomatoes
• Olives