Everytime you make Gran’s famous “secret” cranberry cake (which is crazy she got the recipe from a magazine) your dog stares at you. You know he thinks the cranberries are probably sweet and delicious. Can you give him one to set him straight out of the kitchen?

Yes. Cranberries are safe for your pup to eat. Fresh or dried are both okay in moderation. 

If you offer your pup dried cranberries be sure that cranberries are the only item and it is not a mix with raisins, as they are toxic. 

Cranberry as an ingredient is a different answer. Most baked goods with cranberries are high in sugar. Adding sugar to your dog’s diet is never advisable. Sugar alone can cause gastrointestinal upset. Too much sugar quickly leads dogs to obesity, diabetes and pancreatitis. There is no reason to be offering it to your dog. 

Cranberry sauce can be okay in very small quantities. As mentioned above, sugar should be offered only sparingly. Additionally, be aware of other ingredients. Grapes, raisins and currents are all toxic to dogs. Some recipes call for brandy or liquors which are also toxic. 

Humans often use cranberries to help cure urinary tract infections. This has not been studied in dogs. Do not use homeopathic methods on your dog without consulting a vet.