Has your dog eaten some juniper berries? Are you worried the juniper berries could make him sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place.
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In this article, we’ll take a look at juniper berries and whether or not they can make your dog sick. Let’s get started!
What are Juniper Berries?
Juniper berries are small cone-like berries that are produced by several types of juniper trees. The berry is not a real berry. Instead, it’s a cone, like a pinecone. It has more flesh, and the scales are merged together, which make them look like berries.
Juniper berries are edible and are used in cooking in some countries, such as the Scandinavian countries. They are sometimes added to meat dishes, game meat (boar and venison), and more. These berries are sometimes used in other cuisines, including Czech, Polish, German, and more.
In North America, juniper berries are slightly different than those found in Europe. North American juniper berries have a sweeter taste and are not as resinous. The berries are used as a spice and have been used by Native Americans as a seasoning and for their medicinal properties.
The berries of certain types of juniper trees are even used to make liquor, more especially gin.
But are juniper berries safe for dogs? Can juniper berries make a dog sick?
Juniper Berries & Dogs
Juniper berries are mildly toxic to dogs, as are the needles and stems of juniper trees. Juniper berries can cause diarrhea and vomiting in dogs.
So, if your dog has eaten only one or two juniper berries, he should be OK. Dogs with sensitive stomachs may vomit or have a little diarrhea after ingesting a couple of juniper berries.
However, if your dog has eaten a bunch of juniper berries, he will have more vomiting and diarrhea. In addition, a large number of juniper berries can cause kidney problems.
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Ask a Vet Live NowMy Dog Ate Juniper Berries—What Should I Do?
Depending on the number of juniper berries eaten, your dog will have diarrhea and vomiting. This could last for about 24 hours. If these issues last longer, then it’s time to call the vet.
If your dog has eaten a large number of juniper berries, you may want to go ahead and call the vet. You can count on your dog not feeling good and having some very unpleasant digestive issues. Plus, you need to be concerned about kidney problems, which can develop in some dogs after eating these berries.
The vet will be able to treat your dog’s vomiting and diarrhea while ensuring your fur baby doesn’t become dehydrated.
The good news is that in most cases, your dog should make a full recovery after eating juniper berries!
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Tom
Tom has always loved to write since he was little - he wanted to be either a writer or a veterinary doctor, but he ended up being a professional writer while most of his works are based on animals. He was born in San Francisco but later moved to Texas to continue his job as a writer. He graduated from the University of San Francisco where he studied biotechnology. He is happily married and a soon to be father!
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