BLUEBERRIES - SUPER FOOD FOR YOU AND YOUR PET
Blueberries can provide a ton of benefits to support your pet’s overall health:
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They are natural multivitamins for your pet, including vitamins A, C, E, K, folate, and choline.
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They deliver plenty of minerals, like manganese, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, and potassium.
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They are low in sugar and low in calories (a cup of blueberries containing just 84 calories), but amazingly high in healthful nutrients what making them a great treat for diabetic dogs.
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Their real power is the highest amount of antioxidants among any fruit kind.
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Studies suggest that antioxidants like those in blueberries can provide significant improvements in cognitive functions in aging dogs.
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Extensive research shows that berries (including blueberries) are valuable in lowering the risks of many kinds of cancer. Antioxidants like polyphenols and anthocyanins in blueberries can help reduce cancer cell growth and increase apoptosis (cancer cell death).
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Research at the University of Georgia investigated the effects of blueberries found that its supplementation can improve the gut microbiome and even help heal leaky gut syndrome!
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Blueberry supplementation helped lower systemic inflammation.
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Liver health and insulin sensitivity also improved, suggesting another way blueberries may help manage obesity as well as diabetes.
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Blueberries can prevent and reduce Urinary Tract Infection symptoms by stopping bacteria (like E.coli) from binding to the urinary tract wall. This prevents the bacteria from invading the tissues and causing infection.
Freezing blueberries may even increase the availability of antioxidants as a study at South Dakota State University reveals.
Your pet may prefer frozen blueberry snacks straight from the freezer, especially during the hot summertime.
Easy treats to prepare:
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Spread blueberries in a silicone treat mold or ice cube tray.
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Spoon over the yogurt, filling every mold evenly.
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Tap the tray on the counter to ensure that there are no air bubbles and the mixture is equally distributed.
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Freeze for a couple of hours.
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Once frozen, tap the tray on the counter to release the treats.
The treats can last in the freezer for three months.
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Are Blueberries Good or Bad for Cats?
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Poison Control does not list them as a food to avoid. Cats are less likely to eat fruits, compared to dogs, as felines lack sweet taste receptors; even so, the antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals in blueberries may have the same benefits on cats as for dogs. So if your cat happens to like this fruit, go ahead and let them enjoy it.
https://petfoodfacts.mercola.com/fruits/blueberries.html
https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-blueberries
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/