Why
Cranberries are not toxic to dogs. The AKC says plain fresh or cooked cranberries are generally safe in moderation. They are low in calories, and some dogs enjoy them as a tart, crunchy treat. Many dogs find them too sour and spit them out, which is fine too.
The risks come from how cranberries are usually sold and served. Cranberry sauce is high in sugar, and some recipes add alcohol, grapes or raisins. Dried cranberries are usually sweetened and are often mixed with raisins, which can cause kidney failure in dogs. Eating a lot of cranberries at once can also upset the stomach.
What to watch out for
- Dried fruit mixes and trail mix that contain raisins
- Cranberry sauce and relish with added sugar
- Juice blends that include grape juice
- Stomach upset from eating too many
- Cranberry supplements given without a vet's advice
How to serve it
- Rinse fresh or thawed frozen cranberries and offer them whole or chopped.
- Cook plain cranberries in water, with no sugar, if your dog prefers them soft.
- Offer one or two berries first to see how your dog handles them.
- Plain unsweetened dried cranberries are fine in very small numbers, but check the bag for raisins.
How much?
A small dog can have a few cranberries and a large dog up to a small handful, now and then.
Cranberry sauce, relish and cranberry juice
Cranberry sauce is mostly sugar or syrup, which is why it tastes so much sweeter than the raw berry. A lick is unlikely to hurt, but it adds sugar your dog does not need and can cause an upset stomach. Homemade sauces vary, and the AKC notes that some recipes include grapes, raisins or alcohol such as liqueur or wine. Relishes may add orange, nuts or spices.
Cranberry juice is usually sweetened, and many juice cocktails are blends with grape juice. Check the label before a spill ends up in the dog bowl. If you want to share the flavor, set aside a few plain berries before you cook.
Dried cranberries and trail mix
Dried cranberries are convenient, but they are usually coated in sugar and are small enough to eat by the handful. The bigger worry is what they are sold with. Trail mix, granola, salad toppings and holiday baking mixes often combine dried cranberries with raisins, and sometimes with chocolate or macadamia nuts.
Raisins can cause sudden kidney failure in dogs, and there is no known safe amount. If your dog ate a mix that contained raisins, call your vet right away, even if it ate only a little and seems fine.
Do cranberries help with urinary tract infections in dogs?
Cranberry is a popular home remedy for bladder infections, but the AKC notes that there have not been enough studies in dogs to confirm that it works. Some vets suggest cranberry supplements alongside proven treatment, never as a replacement for it. The AKC also warns that feeding large amounts of cranberries can contribute to calcium oxalate stones in the bladder.
If your dog has signs of a urinary problem, see your vet first. Ask before giving any cranberry supplement, especially if your dog has had bladder stones. Signs that need a vet include:
- Straining to urinate or passing only small amounts
- Urinating much more often, or having accidents indoors
- Blood in the urine
- Licking the genital area a lot
- A dog that cannot pass any urine at all, which is an emergency
Common questions
Are cranberries good for dogs?
Yes, as an occasional treat. Cranberries are not toxic to dogs. The AKC says plain fresh or cooked cranberries are generally safe in moderation.
Are cranberries bad for dogs?
Not in sensible amounts. The main thing to watch: dried fruit mixes and trail mix that contain raisins.
Are dogs allowed to have cranberries?
Yes. Rinse fresh or thawed frozen cranberries and offer them whole or chopped.
Sources
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets.
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Toxicology section.
- American Kennel Club (AKC). “Can Dogs Eat…?” article series.
If your dog has eaten something toxic, contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital right away. Do not wait for symptoms. In the US you can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 (fees may apply).