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As a pet owner, you may wonder if it’s safe for your dog to eat acai berries.
After all, they are packed with nutrients and antioxidants that can be beneficial for humans.
However, before you start sharing your acai berry smoothie with your furry friend, there are a few things you should know.
First off, can dogs eat acai? Are they safe?
In short, no, acai berries are unsafe for dogs to eat. This is because they contain a toxic compound called theobromine. Theobromine can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even death in dogs. This is the same compound found in chocolate that makes it dangerous for dogs, so it’s best to avoid it.
Looking online, there seems to be conflicting information with people suggesting small amounts are safe for dogs.
While this may be true, it’s better to err on the side of caution.
No vets I’ve spoken to have ever recommended giving dogs small amounts of food that contain theobromine.
Let’s look at these risks further, as well as some tips should your dog get into some acai berries.
Table of Contents
What Is Acai?
To better understand why this is dangerous for dogs to eat, we need to understand what acai fruit is and what it’s made of.
Acai berries are a fruit that comes from acai palm trees.
The trees are found in tropical areas of South America and can grow up to 25 meters tall.
The acai berry is small, round, and black-purple in color.
They have thin skin with a large seed in the center.
Nutrition Facts
100 grams of acai contains:
- Calories: 70
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated fat: 1.5g
- Carbs: 4g
- Sugar: 2g
- Fiber 2g
- Vitamin A: 15% of RDI
- Calcium: 2% of RDI
These nutrition facts are taken from Healthline.
Can Dogs Eat Acai?
After seeing the nutrition, it seems like acai should be acceptable for a dog’s diet.
However, this is not the case.
Acai berries contain a toxic compound called theobromine.
If a dog overeats acai, it could cause theobromine poisoning, which can be fatal.
The toxic level of theobromine for dogs is around 100-500mg per kilogram of body weight.
For this reason, it’s best to avoid feeding your dog acai berries.
Are There Health Benefits Of Acai Berries For Dogs?
Acai berries are actually considered a “superfood” because of their high nutrient and antioxidant content.
They are often touted for their numerous health benefits, which include:
- Weight loss
- Lowering cholesterol
- Reducing inflammation
- Boosting energy levels
- Improving heart health
While all these benefits sound great, this is mostly for humans.
While dogs may receive some of these benefits if they consume a small amount, the dangers outweigh the benefits.
Especially when you can get these same benefits from safe dog food sources.
Let’s take a look at the dangers.
Dangers Of Dogs Eating Acai
Acai is not safe for dogs to consume.
While this compound is harmless to humans, it can cause serious health problems in dogs.
This is primarily due to theobromine in acai and its ability to compromise a dog’s immune system.
Dogs lack a particular enzyme in their liver that breaks down theobromine.
Because of this, theobromine can build up to toxic levels in a dog’s system. This results in theobromine poisoning.
Symptoms of this include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Increased urination
- Restlessness
- Seizures
- Heart problems
- Death
The symptoms will depend on how much acai your dog ate and their individual tolerance.
For example, a small dog may have a seizure after eating just a few berries. At the same time, it could take a larger dog eating an entire acai bowl to reach toxic levels.
This is basically the same as dark chocolate poisoning since both are caused by theobromine poisoning.
How Many Acai Berries Can A Dog Eat?
It’s best to avoid feeding your dog any acai berries.
However, if your dog does eat some, it’s important to know how much can be considered toxic.
As mentioned earlier, dogs’ toxic level of theobromine is around 100-500mg per kilogram of body weight.
So depending on the size of your dog, it would take eating a few berries or a large amount to cause problems.
What To Do If Your Dog Eats Acai Berries?
I reached out to Dr. Littlejohn to find out what he’d recommend if a dog ate acai.
He mentioned that acai does not contain the same level of theobromine as chocolate, so it’s less concerning.
However, since acai still contains theobromine, the first step is determining whether or not they ate a toxic amount.
Each scenario will be unique depending on how much they ate and how big your dog is.
If they ate a concerning amount, contact your vet immediately.
If you are unsure, it’s always safest to ask a vet. Otherwise, pay close attention to your dog.
Look for signs of theobromine poisoning, these include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal distention
- Restlessness
- Hyperactivity
- Rigidity
- Tremors
- Seizures
- High blood pressure or heart rate
If your dog shows any of these signs, it’s important to take them to the vet immediately.
You know your dog best, if you think something is wrong with them, you are likely right.
*Important note: If your dog ate some of your acai smoothie bowls, these generally contain less concentrated acai berries. A dog would need to eat much more smoothies than concentrated acai berry.*
Other Frequently Asked Questions
Can Dogs Eat Acai Popsicles?
No, dogs should not eat acai popsicles.
While the amount of theobromine may be lower in these, they can still cause stomach upset and diarrhea.
Additionally, most popsicle brands add loads of sugar and other ingredients that can also harm your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Playa Bowls?
The restaurant Playa bowls are pet friendly. However, their bowls might not be.
Some bowls are made with acai powder.
So while some bowls may be safe for dogs to have in small amounts, any bowls with acai should be avoided.
I recommend checking the ingredients list before feeding your dog any playa bowl.
Also, most playa bowls are high in sugar so make sure you only give them small amounts if you decide to.
Can My Dog Eat Acai Bowl?
While acai bowls may have less concentrated theobromine than acai berries, it’s still not advised to feed dogs this.
Even a small amount of theobromine can cause health problems in dogs.
Is Acai Toxic To Dogs?
Yes, acai berries can be toxic to dogs. This is due to the theobromine found in acai berries which can build up to toxic levels in a dog’s system.
This is the same chemical that makes dark chocolate dangerous for dogs to eat.
Final Thoughts
All in all, you should avoid giving dogs Acai berries.
Due to the theobromine found in these berries, they can be dangerous for dogs if eaten in large enough quantities.
If your dog eats some acai, monitor them closely for any signs of theobromine poisoning.
If you have any concerns, it’s always best to ask your vet.
Other posts you might find interesting:
Can Dogs Eat Sugar Cane? Everything You Need To Know
