Can Dogs Eat Golden Berries? Benefit and Risks

From the product section of online grocery stores to health-centric blogs, golden berries are present everywhere. And the numerous health benefits they offer can really improve the quality of your life.

If you have earned health benefits by consuming golden berries, it’s natural for you to wonder if you can give those to your pup, too. Yes, your dog can eat golden berries and enjoy its various health benefits, but only in moderation.

Keep reading to find out everything about golden berries, how to offer them to your canine companion, their benefits as well as their health risks.

What Are Golden Berries?

If you’ve just found out about the golden berries, let me introduce you properly to this mystery fruit. Indigenous to the Andes Mountains, golden berries are native to Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador. The Incans cultivated the fruit around 4,000 years ago, and its cultivation has expanded across Europe, South Africa, and even Australia.

It’s actually part of the Solanaceae plant family. While you might assume it’s buddies with the blueberries and raspberries, surprise, it’s not! On the contrary, golden berries are more of a cousin to the tomatillo and the Chinese lantern.

The golden berry plant has branches and soft, heart-shaped leaves. And what is the anatomy of these berries? They’re like little marbles, around 1-2 cm wide. The funny thing is, just like the tomatillo, these berries come wrapped in a coat that looks like a paper lantern. It’s like nature’s way of giving them a cozy little jacket while they grow!

Can Dogs Consume Golden Berries?

Yes, it’s safe for your pet dog to eat golden berries if they are fresh and ripe. Although the fruit is full of essential nutrients like antioxidants, which can be beneficial for pups, you must only give it in moderation.

While the fruit itself is not toxic for canines, other parts of the same plant can be toxic, such as the flowers and leaves. Not only that, golden berries that are not ripe can also be harmful to your pet dog.

If you want to ensure your pup gets antioxidants from the golden berries, you can give a few to them. If they managed to steal some while you weren’t paying attention, there’s nothing to worry about as long as it is fresh, ripe, and free of flowers and leaves.

Are there any Health Benefits of Golden Berries for Dogs?

Golden berries are packed with an abundance of nutrients that can benefit not just you but your dog as well. If you’re wondering how it can help your pup, I’ve explained some of those health benefits below:

1. Contains Antioxidants

Antioxidants are essential for a dog’s overall health, and you guessed it right, golden berries are packed with them. These antioxidants can protect the cells of your pup from aging and damage and reduce inflammation.

Wondering why it is essential for dogs? Well, inflammation could lead to a series of health issues, and golden berries not only prevent that but boost your dog’s overall health.

But make sure you consult a vet before incorporating golden berries into your pup’s diet, as they might have some recommendations based on your pooch’s eating habits or specific dietary needs.

2. Offers Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Many people consider golden berries a superfood as they offer a range of health benefits. The most notable benefit is the anti-inflammatory effect, which can not only help reduce swelling but also reduce pain in the joints. It also prevents redness of skin and body temperature fluctuations.

3. Boosts the Immune System

Among its massive nutrient contents, golden berries also contain vitamin A, vitamin C, and even vitamin E. All of them are essential for boosting your pup’s immune system.

If your pup consumes golden berries, it can help them stay healthy and even fight off infections. Golden berries are both a delicious treat and a healthy snack that will be ideal for your dog.

4. Improves Bone Health

Is your dog getting old and developing bone issues? You might be relieved to know that golden berries can improve their bone health as well.

The fruit contains antioxidants and vitamins, which the bones need to stay healthy. Moreover, the berries contain phosphorus, magnesium, and calcium, which can keep the bones healthy and strong.

5. Take Care of Vision

Another notable benefit of golden berries is that they can help improve your dog’s vision. The fruit is rich in carotenoids, the pigments that give fruits and vegetables red, yellow, and orange hues can also boost vision by filtering blue light and protecting the eyes from damage.

No matter what age and size your pup is, it can benefit from the berries’ vision-boosting power. However, golden berries offer greater benefits to senior dogs with vision problems.

6. Boost Digestive Health

If you want to add fiber to your dog’s daily diet, golden berries can be an excellent source. The fruit is rich in fiber, which may help keep things moving more smoothly along their digestive tract. Being rich in antioxidants, it will also protect the digestive system from inflammation.

Health Risks of Giving Your Dog Golden Berries

Ripe and fresh golden berries are safe for dogs, but still, there are a few instances when they could prove to be harmful.

Golden berries that are unripe contain certain alkaloids. These are also present in the leaves and flowers of the plant. These alkaloids are toxins present in plants that can lead to liver damage if ingested in large amounts and lead to stomach issues, diarrhea, and vomiting when consumed in small quantities.

A smaller dog could show the symptoms of kidney or liver damage after ingesting just a small amount. Keeping that in mind, you must keep unripened golden berries and the plant, including leaves and flowers, away from your pup’s reach.

In case your dog ingests either unripened fruit, flowers or even the leaves, you must contact a vet immediately.

How to Feed Golden Berries to a Dog?

Now that you know everything about golden berries, let’s find out how you can give them to your furry friend. The fruit can serve as a snack, treat, or supplement. And much like any other food, it’s best to not go overboard and give it in moderation.

Here are the feeding guidelines you can follow:

1 or 2 golden berries every day can serve as a supplement and are enough for a majority of dogs
5 to 10 of the berries as an occasional treat every week
You can even give your pup a 1/8 cup of a cooked mixture of golden berries as a meal

Don’t forget to consult a diet expert or vet before introducing it to your pup!

Frequently Asked Questions

Takeaway

You give your dog their food every day, but that’s not all. A dog can enjoy and benefit from healthy supplements like fruits, and one such fruit that you can offer your dog in moderation is golden berries.

It’s a delicious superfruit abundant in essential nutrients. This fruit can improve the overall health of your four-pawed friend and prevent future health issues as well.

So, don’t wait; talk to your vet and add it to your dog’s diet to give their health a much-needed boost!