Can dogs eat raspberries?

Why

Plain, fresh raspberries are not toxic to dogs and offer fiber and vitamin C. They are, however, naturally sugary and quite acidic for a dog's digestion, so a large helping can cause an upset stomach or loose stools. The risks worth taking seriously come from processed forms: jams, canned raspberries in syrup, and sugar-free products, which can contain sweeteners that are harmful to dogs.

If you do feed it

• Offer a few berries at a time, not a bowlful -- treats should stay a small part of the day's food
• Rinse fresh berries; frozen unsweetened raspberries are fine and many dogs enjoy them on warm days
• Introduce them slowly the first time and watch how your dog's stomach responds
• Skip raspberry products made for people: jam, desserts, canned fruit in syrup, and anything labelled sugar-free

Watch out for

• Sugar-free raspberry products -- artificial sweeteners used in them can be dangerous for dogs
• Canned raspberries or fruit in syrup, which are heavily sweetened
• Raspberry jam and baked goods, which add sugar and sometimes sweeteners
• Loose stools or stomach upset if your dog eats more than a few berries

Better choices