The Benefits of Cranberry 

Published on April 19, 2024

Cranberries are for life, not just for Christmas - the health benefits of this festive ingredient

What’s the first thing you think of when you hear the word ‘cranberry’? Yuletide turkey and cranberry sauce, perhaps? Dried cranberries in your favourite trail mix? Or a superhero ingredient, ready to fight a urinary tract infection at a moment’s notice? Cranberries may be small, but they are su-paw mighty. Read on for more about why this ingredient is more than just a festive fruit for Thanksgiving or Christmas - and why including it in your dog or cat’s diet is a fantastic idea.

Can dogs eat cranberries?

The cranberry comes from the cranberry bush (or Vaccinium marocarpon), and has been used in medicinal treatments for thousands of years. Packed with antioxidants and nutrients, cranberries offer a multitude of health benefits, helping to fight bacteria, prevent cancer and improve bladder health. Full of vitamins C, E and K, as well as iron, calcium and magnesium, cranberries can give your pets an energizing boost to the immune system and help keep them healthy from head to tail!

 

Vitamin C - helps to support immune health, strong skin, bone and muscle.

Vitamin E - antioxidant known to support immune health in pets.

Vitamin K1 - essential for blood clotting.

Tell me more!

Gladly! The list of the benefits of cranberries for dogs and cats goes on:

  • Cranberries contain a high level of ellagic acid, a polyphenol known to be a powerful anti–cancer agent.
  • Cranberries can help with urinary tract infections (a common affliction of dogs and cats) by inhibiting microorganisms from adhering to the bladder and urinary tract. Not just that - they are also effective for combating constipation, bladder stones, kidney stones and other urinary tract issues. Perhaps most beneficially, they also help to acidify urine for those pets prone to struvite crystals!
  • The tannins found in cranberries help reduce tooth decay and inhibit bad stomach bacteria from adhering to the stomach. By fighting the bad bacteria in the stomach, they help promote a healthy gut in your pet.
  • Cranberries have anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce inflammation caused by common ailments like arthritis.
  • Cranberries also contain quercetin (nature's Benadryl!), which can help alleviate symptoms associated with allergies.

Let’s talk about Smack…

While cranberries can be consumed fresh (ground) or dried (powder), make sure not to feed your pets cranberries which have been processed with added sugars or artificial sweeteners such as xylitol - these additives can cause stomach upsets and be toxic for dogs. So instead of sharing the cranberry sauce with your pup, reach for a bag of Smack instead - we only use whole, organic cranberries in our recipes!

 

Here at Smack Pet Food, we LOVE cranberries. Our Canadian-grown GMO-free cranberries can be found in Prairie Harvest Pork, Very Berry Chicken for Dogs, Purrfect Pork for Cats and Very Berry for Cats.

Cranberries for the win

In conclusion, cranberries are safe for dogs, and add a burst of nutrition to your pet’s bowl. Of course, your pup or kitty might not even like the taste of cranberries (to each their own, right?) but if they do, it’s a great snack or meal component that can have a ton of paw-sitive benefits. So as we head into the season of giving thanks and holiday celebrations, why not let your pet enjoy this festive ingredient too!

 

As with any food, too much cranberry can cause issues for your pet. Start with small quantities, and always consult your veterinarian with any concerns or questions. If you’re feeding them dried, ensure that they aren’t mixed in with any raisins - grapes and their dried counterparts can be toxic for dogs, so please be sure to avoid them!

Very Berry Chicken
Very Berry Chicken
Very Berry Chicken
Very Berry Chicken
Very Berry Chicken
Very Berry Chicken
Very Berry Chicken
Very Berry Chicken
Very Berry Chicken
Very Berry Chicken
Very Berry Chicken

Very Berry Chicken

$104.99
Size:
Prairie Harvest Pork
Prairie Harvest Pork
Prairie Harvest Pork
Prairie Harvest Pork
Prairie Harvest Pork
Prairie Harvest Pork
Prairie Harvest Pork
Prairie Harvest Pork
Prairie Harvest Pork
Prairie Harvest Pork
Prairie Harvest Pork

Prairie Harvest Pork

$129.99
Size:
Chunky Chicken
Chunky Chicken
Chunky Chicken
Chunky Chicken
Chunky Chicken
Chunky Chicken
Chunky Chicken
Chunky Chicken
Chunky Chicken
Chunky Chicken
Chunky Chicken

Chunky Chicken

$104.99
Size:
Caribbean-Salmon Fusion
Caribbean-Salmon Fusion
Caribbean-Salmon Fusion
Caribbean-Salmon Fusion
Caribbean-Salmon Fusion
Caribbean-Salmon Fusion
Caribbean-Salmon Fusion
Caribbean-Salmon Fusion
Caribbean-Salmon Fusion
Caribbean-Salmon Fusion
Caribbean-Salmon Fusion

Caribbean-Salmon Fusion

$129.99
Size:
Rockin' Rockfish
Rockin' Rockfish
Rockin' Rockfish
Rockin' Rockfish
Rockin' Rockfish
Rockin' Rockfish
Rockin' Rockfish
Rockin' Rockfish
Rockin' Rockfish
Rockin' Rockfish
Rockin' Rockfish

Rockin' Rockfish

$129.99
Size:

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