Can dogs eat cranberries?
The full picture
Fresh or frozen plain cranberries are perfectly safe for dogs and contain beneficial antioxidants and vitamin C. They're very tart though, and most dogs don't love them. They're sometimes recommended for urinary health but the evidence for dogs is limited — ask your vet before using for that purpose. The big cautions: cranberry sauce (loaded with sugar, sometimes alcohol or orange zest), dried cranberries (often sold in trail mixes with raisins — which are toxic), and cranberry juice (usually sweetened).
Risks to watch for
- Sugar in processed forms
- Dried cranberries often mixed with raisins
- GI upset in large amounts
Potential benefits
- Antioxidants
- Vitamin C, E, K
- May support urinary health (limited evidence)
Safe portion size
A few berries for small dogs, a small handful for large dogs.
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