Can Dogs Eat Gooseberries? (Solved)

Can dogs eat gooseberries?

Gooseberries are currently making a small comeback. The fruit was a bit old-fashioned. Now gooseberries are in greater demand again.

Not only because there are now many varieties that grow almost without thorns. They often taste sweeter than the bitter gooseberries of years past.

It is a wild berry that, like the rest of these small fruits, is low in calories and very rich in fiber and vitamin C (blackcurrants much more than red ones).

Has your dog chewed gooseberries? There is a lot of uncertainty about the issue because many people think gooseberries can be toxic, which is why I am writing this topic to understand if a dog can eat gooseberries without causing any problems.

Gooseberries for dogs?

In principle, dogs are allowed to eat gooseberries. Although it is very likely that the dog can reject gooseberries due to their slightly acidic taste. Although this type of fruit can be healthy for dogs

Depending on the variety, the crunchy berries also have a slight fuzz on the surface. Dogs often view this very critically. They prefer not to eat them because of this. Dogs, however, prefer sweet strawberries or raspberries instead.

Then you can simply mix the mashed gooseberries into the normal food ration. Dogs often accept them well. Your dog will benefit from the great ingredients of the berry.

What Makes Gooseberries So Healthy?

The gooseberry is rich in many vitamins. These include vitamins A, C and E. It also provides iron, potassium, calcium and magnesium. The health-promoting properties of gooseberries are often underestimated.

Thanks to their ingredients, gooseberries support the entire immune system. They even have an anti-inflammatory effect. Due to the fiber they contain, they also stimulate digestion.

Another plus point for gooseberry is its low sugar content. Even if your dog is on a diet, he can still nibble on a few gooseberries. 100 grams of the small, round berries contain just 7 grams of fructose. That’s only about 34 calories.

They also contain the antioxidant acid protocatechuic, which has been shown to have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects in animal studies.

Are Dogs Allergic to Gooseberries?

There are hardly any cases of allergic reactions to gooseberries. However, there is a possibility that your dog may not tolerate gooseberries well. They contain citric acid and malic acid. Both can cause discomfort and diarrhea in your dog.

Some dogs do not tolerate thick gooseberry skin well. In this case, it is better if you mash the berries. Or steam them briefly. This way, your dog can eat the currants without problems.

In any case, you should rinse the purchased berries very well with a lot of water before feeding them. This is to wash away any chemical residue. It is even better to harvest the fruit in your own garden. Or you can buy untreated organic products to feed your dog.

Is the gooseberry toxic?

The fruit of the currant is edible when ripe, both the American gooseberry, Ribes hirtellum, and the European gooseberry, Ribes grossularia, grow in areas with cool and wet summers that cool properly in the winter. All gooseberry plants have thorns, to some extent, but none have been reported as toxic.

Gooseberry plants contain thorns that may deter animals from approaching them for fear of scratching, but these thorns are not toxic, nor is the fruit of the gooseberry.

Are unripe gooseberries poisonous to dogs?

For gooseberries, there is the so-called “green pick”. Gooseberries harvested green and unripe are only suitable for processing and should not be consumed fresh in large quantities.

Fresh, unripe gooseberries contain glyoxylic acid. This in turn can produce oxalic acid. If this meets calcium in the intestine, poorly soluble salts are formed, which prevent the absorption of calcium. The excess oxalic acid is absorbed by the body and only slowly excreted. This can have a negative effect on the kidneys and encourage the formation of kidney stones.

However, until this problematic health effect occurs, larger quantities of unripe gooseberries have to be consumed fresh. Since their fruit bodies are still very hard and their taste is very sour, the risk is low.

However, unripe gooseberries can be processed into jams without any health risks. When baking, the hard fruit body is even an advantage because the berries don’t pop open so quickly.

Can raw Gooseberry be eaten?

The gooseberry, like any other fruit, can be eaten raw when it is ripe. However, although they can be eaten raw, their sweet and sour taste makes them suitable for making jams, smoothies, ice cream, etc. They are rich in vitamins and minerals.

The gooseberry can be eaten fresh or in a fruit salad. Covered with milk and sugar or mixed with other berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and strawberries) and vanilla cream to mitigate its acid taste, it is the best way to take it raw.