Can Dogs Eat Mulberries?

Whether you’re outside picking berries or just bought some fresh ones from the store, you might wonder: can dogs eat mulberries? Is it safe?

Dogs can eat ripe mulberries in moderation, but too many can cause stomach upset. Don’t feed your dog unripe mulberries, as they’re a hallucinogen (meaning they can cause dogs and humans to have hallucinations when eaten).

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) lists mulberries as non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.

Benefits of Mulberries for Dogs

• Iron helps blood circulate in a dog’s body. Mulberries contain iron, which allows your dog’s body to produce red blood cells that circulate oxygen.
• Fiber helps to regulate their digestive system. In moderation, mulberries can help your dog’s stomach to process food more easily. When they’re given too many, though, that’s when diarrhea happens!
• Antioxidants protect against disease. The antioxidants in mulberries can help fight off heart disease and other illnesses.
• Multiple minerals help bones grow healthily. This includes calcium and vitamin K!
• Anthocyanins can help prevent tumor growth, particularly in your dog’s digestive tract.
• Mulberries can help dog’s brains to function. The vitamins and nutrients in this fruit help repair brain cells to keep your dog’s brain healthy and functioning.

Keep in mind that there’s no need for mulberries in your dog’s diet. While all of the nutrients above are awesome, they’re also a part of any well-balanced dog food–so your dog gets them on the daily already!

Risks of Mulberries for Dogs

Mulberries may cause stomach upset for dogs, particularly when eaten in large amounts. Like a kid who’s eaten too much candy, your dog might experience stomach pain, vomiting, or diarrhea for a short time.

Some dogs are more sensitive than others, and may experience symptoms after eating a small amount of mulberries. If this happens, don’t feed them to your dog again.

Unripe mulberries are more likely to cause digestive upset than ripe mulberries. They can also cause your dog to have hallucinations, so it’s best to avoid feeding them altogether.

Can Dogs Eat Dried Mulberries?

Dried mulberries tend to contain too much sugar and other additives that make them unhealthy for dogs. They might bring on more stomach upset, as dogs really shouldn’t eat excess sugar.

If your dried mulberries don’t contain any additives, they are safe for your dog to eat. The biggest difference between dried and fresh mulberries, in this case, is that dried mulberries will contain less water.

Can Dogs Eat White Mulberries?

White mulberries are also safe for your dog to eat so long as they’re ripe. As stated above, all mulberries are hallucinogenic when unripe and shouldn’t be fed to dogs.

Like with any mulberry, white mulberries should also be fed in very small amounts to avoid digestive upset.

Can Dogs Eat Mulberry Leaves?

The ASPCA lists the entire mulberry plant as non-toxic to dogs. If your dog eats the leaves of a mulberry tree, they should be okay.

As with mulberries themselves, the leaves might upset your dog’s stomach. Keep an eye on them, and bring them to the vet if symptoms persist longer than a couple of days.

I don’t recommend purposefully feeding your dog mulberry leaves, however, due to the added risk of your dog getting an upset tummy.

How Many Mulberries Can a Dog Eat?

Dogs should only eat a few mulberries at most, depending on their size. Small dogs should get less than this.

Because they make some dogs sick more than others, it might be best to start with one mulberry (or a smaller piece if your dog is small) to see how they react. If they show no symptoms, you can let them have more in the future.

Remember not to feed mulberries in higher amounts, as your dog will likely get sick. If your dog gets sick after eating a small number of mulberries, avoid feeding them mulberries in the future.

After all, what fun is a good snack if it makes you sick later?

If your dog remains sick a couple of days after eating mulberries, they should also see a veterinarian to ensure they recover well.

In conclusion, dogs can eat mulberries in very small amounts–but any more than this, and they might become sick with stomach upset and diarrhea.

Remember to feed them just a small piece to start, then watch them for signs of sickness. If they’re okay, you can feed them small numbers of berries from time to time!

We hope this article has helped you make a decision and remember that when in doubt, it’s always okay to ask your vet for help with your dog’s diet!

Up Next:

• Can Dogs Eat Strawberries, Are They Safe or Dangerous?
• Can Dogs Eat Blueberries, Are They Safe or Dangerous?
• Can Dogs Eat Blackberries Safely? What You Should Know

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/altanakin