Use Caution
Medium dog serving: 4-6 pieces
Key warning: sweetened varieties with added sugar, xylitol if listed on the label, fruit or trail mixes containing raisins, and large amounts
Can Dogs Eat Dried Cranberries? Caution — Unsweetened Only, Check for Raisins
This food requires caution. Read the details carefully before feeding.
Dried cranberries are not known to be toxic to dogs, but they are not a recommended treat. Drying concentrates their natural sugar, and sweetened varieties such as Craisins also contain added sugar. If you share any, choose plain unsweetened pieces and give only a few occasionally.
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Warning Signs & Symptoms
Large amounts: vomiting, diarrhea or stomach upset, especially with sweetened varieties. Fruit or trail mixes containing raisins, sultanas or Zante currants: risk of kidney injury.
If Your Dog Ate This
Check the packet first. If the ingredients list xylitol (sometimes called birch sugar), or the product is a fruit or trail mix containing raisins, sultanas or dried (Zante) currants, call your vet or an animal poison control center right away, even if your dog seems fine. Dried cranberries without xylitol or raisins are not known to be toxic: watch for vomiting, diarrhea or stomach upset, and call your vet if your dog ate a large amount or signs are severe or don't settle.
Safe to Feed
tiny amounts of plain unsweetened dried cranberries only
What to Avoid
sweetened varieties with added sugar, xylitol if listed on the label, fruit or trail mixes containing raisins, and large amounts
Preparation & Serving
Unsweetened only. Check label for sugar. Tiny amounts. Never from mixed dried fruit bags.
Potential Health Benefits
Antioxidants in tiny amounts.
Safer Alternatives
- Fresh plain cranberries in very small amounts
- Fresh or frozen plain blueberries
Did you know?
Ocean Spray, the cooperative behind Craisins, was founded in 1930 by three cranberry growers. Craisins were introduced in 1989, first as an ingredient in a breakfast cereal, before becoming a snack in their own right.
Portions & nutrition
- Serving (small dog)
- 2-3 pieces
- Serving (medium dog)
- 4-6 pieces
- Serving (large dog)
- 6-8 pieces
- Calories (per 100g)
- 308
- Safe frequency
- Rarely — unsweetened only
Source
What You Need to Know
Many dried cranberries, including Craisins, are sweetened with added sugar, and drying concentrates the fruit's natural sugar, so they are best kept to a rare, small treat, if given at all. Plain dried cranberries are not known to be toxic to dogs. Check the label for added sugar and for xylitol (sometimes called birch sugar), and avoid fruit or trail mixes that contain raisins, sultanas or Zante currants, which are toxic to dogs. Fresh plain cranberries in tiny amounts are a better choice.
This food requires care — if your dog has eaten a large amount read our emergency guide
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Frequently asked questions
- Are Dried Cranberries safe for dogs?
- Dried Cranberries require caution for dogs. Dried cranberries are not known to be toxic to dogs, but they are not a recommended treat. Drying concentrates their natural sugar, and sweetened varieties such as Craisins also contain added sugar. If you share any, choose plain unsweetened pieces and give only a few occasionally.
- What happens if a dog eats Dried Cranberries?
- If a dog eats Dried Cranberries, they may experience: Large amounts: vomiting, diarrhea or stomach upset, especially with sweetened varieties. Fruit or trail mixes containing raisins, sultanas or Zante currants: risk of kidney injury.
- How many Dried Cranberries can a dog eat?
- Many dried cranberries, including Craisins, are sweetened with added sugar, and drying concentrates the fruit's natural sugar, so they are best kept to a rare, small treat, if given at all. Plain dried cranberries are not known to be toxic to dogs. Check the label for added sugar and for xylitol (sometimes called birch sugar), and avoid fruit or trail mixes that contain raisins, sultanas or Zante currants, which are toxic to dogs. Fresh plain cranberries in tiny amounts are a better choice.
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