The blueberries are done. The raspberries are almost done. Now is the time for blackberries! At least in my neck of the woods. I have harvested the first small load with many more to ripen over the month (August).
My dogs love the berries – right off the plant! Dakota, in particular, sniffs out the ripest berries, then gently slides them off the plant and eats them. I don’t think he likes them squishing as he pulls them off. My daughter’s dog will take the berries (ripe or not) and rip them off the plant. Crazy girl. For the others, they wait until I pick them and hand them some to eat. So polite. 🙂
Low in sugar (reason 1), high in fiber (reason 2), and full of antioxidants (reason 3), blackberries are a juicy treat in the August heat.
As anyone who has tried a low-carb diet knows, if you are craving fruit, berries are your best bet. Dogs are naturally low-carb (although will readily eat carbs in the absence of meat protein – energy is energy and although they don’t produce salivary amylase to break down carbs, they do produce pancreatic amylase to help with carb breakdown).
Berries are – generally – low in natural sugars (tart!). This is really good for your dog, who doesn’t need a lot of sugar in his diet, and good for you if you are watching your sugar intake. A nice little treat for a diabetic dog as well, just don’t go overboard.
Naturally higher in fiber – due to all those little seeds. You know, the ones that get stuck in our teeth. 🙂 Those same seeds help your dog’s digestive tract move along at an appropriate pace and the berries help feed good gut bacteria. This helps improve gut health, which, in turn, improves immune health.
Most plants provide antioxidants and blackberries are no exception. They are loaded with health-promoting phytochemicals (plant chemicals)/antioxidants which keep your dog’s body (and yours if you eat them) healthy and his mind sharp.
And I mentioned juice (bonus reason). Nature provides the right plants at the right time of year. Quite possibly the juiciest berry (at least ours are), it comes due at the hottest time of the year. Just in time to quench thirst when water can be scarce. Nature is amazing.
Living with the seasons is pretty cool. I encourage you to eat as seasonally as possible (even if it’s from the frozen food section) because seasonal foods support the body the best. Try some of these summer foods with your dog. One or more may just become a summer favorite.
Put That Pep Back In Your Dog’s Step,
Jennifer
P.S. Already eat with the seasons? What are your favorite foods to feed your dog (and you)
