Yes, dogs can eat blueberries. Fresh or frozen blueberries are one of the safest fruit treats for dogs, with less than 1 calorie per berry.1,2,3 Cut or mash them for small dogs, which can choke on whole berries, and skip blueberry muffins, pie filling and sweetened yogurt.1,2 Studies in dogs are small and haven't shown clear health benefits, but blueberries are a good low-calorie swap for processed treats.4,5
Blueberries at a glance
- Verdict: safe.
- One blueberry: less than 1 calorie. Ten berries are about 8 calories.3
- Serve: washed, fresh or frozen, halved or mashed for small dogs.
- Avoid: muffins, pie filling, canned berries in syrup and sweetened yogurt.
- Related: see our full list of what can dogs eat.
Blueberry Nutrition for Dogs
Blueberries contain fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, manganese and plant compounds called anthocyanins that act as antioxidants.3,1
| Amount | Calories | Sugar | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 berry (about 1.4 g) | about 0.8 | 0.1 g | under 0.1 g |
| 10 berries | about 8 | 1.4 g | 0.3 g |
| 50 berries | about 39 | 7 g | 1.6 g |
| 1 cup (148 g) | about 84 | 15 g | 3.6 g |
Calculated from USDA FoodData Central values for raw blueberries.3
How Many Blueberries Can a Dog Eat?
A healthy adult dog's treats, including fruit, should be no more than about 10 percent of daily calories.6,7 Using the Merck Veterinary Manual's energy formula for a neutered adult, that works out to roughly 35 calories of treats a day for a 10-pound dog, 59 for a 20-pound dog, 98 for a 40-pound dog, 150 for a 70-pound dog and 196 for a 100-pound dog.8 Your dog's real needs depend on age, activity and body condition. Blueberries use very little of that allowance. The American Kennel Club says small dogs may only need 2 to 3 blueberries, while larger dogs can have several more.1 PetMD's suggested daily amounts are below.2
| Dog size | Daily blueberries | About |
|---|---|---|
| Extra-small (up to 10 lb) | 1 to 2 | 1 to 2 calories |
| Small (11 to 20 lb) | 2 to 3 | 2 calories |
| Medium (21 to 50 lb) | 3 to 5 | 2 to 4 calories |
| Large (51 to 90 lb) | 5 to 6 | 4 to 5 calories |
| Giant (over 90 lb) | 6 to 10 | 5 to 8 calories |
These are conservative amounts. Because blueberries are so low in calories, many healthy dogs can have a few more without trouble, but too many at once can cause gas or loose stool.2
How to Serve Blueberries to Your Dog
- Rinse them well.
- Halve or mash them for small dogs and dogs that gulp their food.1,2
- Use them as training treats, since they're small and very low in calories.
- Freeze them for a cool snack, halving frozen berries for small dogs since they're firm.1,2
- Plain dried blueberries without added sugar are fine in smaller amounts, since drying concentrates the sugar.2
Risks and When to Skip Blueberries
- Choking: whole berries can lodge in the throat of very small dogs.1
- Too many: can cause stomach discomfort, gas or diarrhea.2
- Diabetes and special diets: ask your vet before giving fruit to a diabetic dog or a dog on a prescription diet.2
- Muffins, pies and yogurt: high in sugar and fat, and some baked goods and yogurts contain xylitol. See xylitol poisoning.2,9
- Wild berries: wild blueberries are safe if you're sure what they are. Some poisonous berries look similar, such as pokeweed berries, which ripen dark purple in late summer and fall and can cause vomiting, diarrhea and tremors.2,10,11
What the research says about blueberries for dogs
- Sled dogs (2006): Alaskan sled dogs fed blueberries for two months had higher antioxidant levels in their blood right after exercise, but not a day later, and the berries didn't reduce muscle damage from exercise.4
- Beagles (2025): in a small study of 12 dogs, funded by a pet food company, dogs preferred food with blueberries, but the berries didn't reduce exercise-related oxidative stress.5
- Senior dogs (2017): older Beagles given a mixed blueberry and grape extract did better on a memory test, but the authors called this a hypothesis that needs confirming. This was an extract, not whole berries, and grapes themselves are toxic to dogs.12
- Dog food (2025): a lab analysis found that kibble listing blueberries in its ingredients contained very little of the berries' antioxidant compounds.13
So blueberries are a healthy, low-calorie treat, but they aren't proven to prevent disease in dogs.
Can Puppies Eat Blueberries?
Yes. Give a puppy one or two halved or mashed blueberries once he's eating solid food and having treats, usually from about 8 weeks old, and increase slowly.1,7
When to Call the Vet
Call your vet if your dog has a poor appetite, seems tired or uncomfortable, or keeps licking his lips or gulping after eating it. Get care right away for repeated vomiting, severe diarrhea, blood in vomit or stool, weakness or collapse.14,15 If your dog shows signs of choking, get emergency help. If he ate unknown wild berries, or a blueberry product that might contain xylitol or chocolate, call your vet or a pet poison hotline. See dog choking and dog poisoning.
Dog General Diseases and Symptoms QuickLinks
Frequently Asked Questions
How many blueberries can a dog eat a day?
About 2 to 3 for small dogs and up to about 10 for large dogs is a safe starting point. Blueberries are very low in calories, so many dogs can have a few more if their stomach handles them well.
Can dogs eat blueberries every day?
Yes, a few blueberries a day is fine for most healthy dogs, as long as all treats stay under about 10 percent of daily calories.
Can dogs eat frozen blueberries?
Yes. Frozen blueberries make a good cool treat. Halve them for small dogs, since frozen berries are firm.
Can dogs eat blueberry muffins?
It's best not to. Muffins are high in sugar and fat, and some contain xylitol or other ingredients that are harmful to dogs.
Can dogs eat blueberry yogurt?
Most flavored yogurts have added sugar and some contain xylitol. Plain, unsweetened, xylitol-free yogurt with a few fresh blueberries is a better option.
Can dogs eat dried blueberries?
Yes, if they have no added sugar or preservatives. Give fewer than fresh, since drying concentrates the sugar.
Are blueberries good for senior dogs?
Blueberries are a healthy low-calorie treat for older dogs. Studies suggesting brain benefits used extracts and are not yet confirmed, so they shouldn't replace vet care for an aging dog.
Ask Our Team a Question
Help Others by Sharing Your Dog Health Related Question or Story!
Have a Question, Request or Want to Share a Story that could help others? Our team will answer questions for free!
Please include information such as your dog's medical history, age, sex, breed, symptoms, diet, changes in behavior and medications. Providing pictures by uploading them below can also be of help.
We will do our best to get back to you quickly (it depends on how many questions we receive each day). If you do require an immediate response we suggest using this online dog veterinary service that is available now.
Sources and further reading
This article was written and fact-checked on November 3, 2026 against current veterinary references and specialist guidelines:
- Burke A. Can Dogs Eat Blueberries? American Kennel Club, updated October 20, 2026.
- Arnold VL; reviewed by Mitchell SC, DVM, DABVP. Can Dogs Eat Blueberries? PetMD, updated July 25, 2025.
- U.S. Department of Agriculture. Blueberries, raw (FDC 171711). FoodData Central, SR Legacy.
- Dunlap KL, Reynolds AJ, Duffy LK. Total antioxidant power in sled dogs supplemented with blueberries and the comparison of blood parameters associated with exercise. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, 2006.
- Maturana M, Castillejos L, Jose-Cunilleras E, et al. Effects of Blueberry Consumption on Preference, Digestibility, and Oxidative Balance in Dogs. Animals, 2025.
- University of California, Davis, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital Nutrition Support Service. Treats Guidelines for Dogs. UC Davis, accessed November 2026.
- Wooten S, DVM. Can Puppies Have Treats? Hill's Pet Nutrition, September 3, 2025.
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Daily Maintenance Energy Requirements for Dogs and Cats. Merck Veterinary Manual, accessed November 2026.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Veterinary Medicine. Paws Off Xylitol; It's Dangerous for Dogs. FDA Consumer Update, content current as of December 17, 2025.
- Johnstone G. Pokeberries and Dogs. American Kennel Club, April 3, 2025.
- Pet Poison Helpline. Pokeweed. Pet Poison Helpline, updated June 3, 2026.
- Journal of Nutritional Science. Effects of dietary supplementation with a mixed blueberry and grape extract on working memory in aged beagle dogs. Journal of Nutritional Science, 2017.
- Kosmal et al., reported by LCGC. HPLC Analysis Finds Low Polyphenol Content in Blueberry-Containing Pet Foods. Chromatography Online, August 20, 2025 (reporting Journal of Animal Science, 2025).
- Arnold VL; reviewed by Hart H, DVM. Can Dogs Eat Bananas? PetMD, updated August 21, 2026.
- Arnold VL; reviewed by Price M, DVM. Can Dogs Eat Strawberries? PetMD, updated July 23, 2024.
About this article
Last updated : new page written using AKC, PetMD (vet-reviewed), Merck Veterinary Manual, UC Davis, ASPCA, FDA and USDA FoodData Central data and published blueberry studies in dogs; includes serving amounts by dog size and calorie estimates.
This page is for general information and is not a substitute for an exam by your veterinarian.
