I love strawberries and am sure you do too. They are juicy, delicious, and have a pleasant aroma. My dog Bruno will always reach out for one whenever it is in season. This got me thinking, Can dogs eat strawberries?
Yes, dogs can eat strawberries. Each strawberry is filled with minerals, vitamins, and fiber necessary to boost your dog’s immune system and is perfectly safe for your dog to eat. Fresh strawberries can serve as a good treat or snack for your doggy and can be given raw as fresh fruit or an additive to a meal.
However, that strawberries are safe for your dog to eat doesn’t mean they can eat them in large quantities. Like all fruits, they can cause harm to your dog when consumed in excess, and we will look at why as we continue. First, let us understand how good strawberries can be for your dog and if they are toxic to dogs.
Is Strawberry Good For Your Dog?
Yes! Strawberries are good for your dog, and your dog can eat them in moderation.
You can give fresh strawberries to your dog. Cut into small pieces or mash them for easy chewing. You can also serve it with a meal. Dogs need the vitamins strawberry gives for a good immune system.
Do not use tinned strawberries. Tinned strawberries may contain harmful substitutes and chemical substances. For a doggy treat, fresh strawberries are perfect on a summer day.
Benefits Of Strawberries
Fresh strawberries come with a host of nutritional values for your dog. Its value touches almost every part of your dog’s body. Here are just a few of these benefits:
Anti-Inflammatory Agents
Strawberry contains anti-inflammatory agents that help dogs suffering from musculoskeletal illnesses like arthritis.
Vitamins
Strawberries have lots of vitamins C, K, B1, B6, and minerals that help strengthen your dog’s immune system.
Antioxidants
They are natural antioxidants in strawberries. These antioxidants help to boost immune-cell functions and slow down aging in dogs.
Fiber
Strawberries have plenty of fiber to help your dog’s digestive tract with digestion. Consuming food with high fiber content helps prevent constipation. Strawberries also contain omega-3 fatty acids necessary for revitalizing your dog’s skin and coat health.
Can Strawberries Give Dogs Diarrhea?
When taken in excess, strawberries can give your dog diarrhea. This is due to its high sugar content, which causes gastrointestinal upset in dogs.
To safely feed your dog strawberries, you need to start slowly, ration, and observe any adverse stomach reactions.
How Many Strawberries Should A Dog Eat A Day?
Snack treats should not be more than 10% of your dog’s daily meal diet. As previously mentioned, strawberries contain sugar, and you have to feed them in moderation to your dog. So, to be on the safe side, you can follow this daily strawberry number guide;
- 4 to 5 strawberries for larger dogs.
- 3 to 4 strawberries for medium dogs.
- 1 to 2 strawberries for smaller dogs.
A prudent thing to do is you can ration out the strawberries to avoid excess intake and any potential gastrointestinal issues in your dog with this guide.
Are Strawberries Toxic To My Dog?
No! Ripe strawberries are not toxic to your dog, yet moderation is highly advised.
Strawberries are packed with minerals, vitamins, and fiber to help your dog’s bodybuilding and immune strengthening. Dogs love strawberries due to their sweet flavor and juicy nature. You can consider strawberries as a very healthy snack for your doggy. Start with a little at a time and observe how your dog reacts to it for a start.
Though ripe strawberries are perfectly safe for dogs to eat, the unripe ones or the white section can lead to digestive upsets.
Unripe strawberries have a tart taste. This taste is because it still contains lots of unused malic acids. These acids can cause bloating and indigestion in your dog.
Always slice off the top and core of the berry before feeding your dog. Give only ripe portions of strawberry to your dog.
Are Dogs Allergic To Strawberries?
Strawberry allergies are not common in dogs. They are a possibility but not frequently encountered. Strawberry allergies can occur due to the protein content that gives the red color to the fruit. This reaction can occur in both humans and canines.
Symptoms of strawberry allergies in dogs include vomiting, itchy skin, hives, and diarrhea. If your dog reacts negatively to strawberries, please see a vet immediately.
What Happens When A Dog Eats Strawberries?
There is nothing to worry about a dog eating strawberries so long as it’s in moderation. Its high vitamin C content makes it an important part of a dog’s meal.
However, strawberries have high sugar content, and like other sugary fruits or food, their overconsumption in a dog should be avoided at all costs!
Ration your dog’s strawberry intake to avoid high sugar intake, as these can result in stomach upset, vomiting, and dehydration. If this happens, monitor your dog closely and consult a vet.
If it is your first time giving your dog strawberries, or you have been unsure how to feed them to your dog, here are some tips you can use to feed your pup strawberries safely.
- Start with small quantities and monitor any adverse effects such as stomach upset.
- Fresh strawberries are the best for your dog. Go for fresh, organic strawberries that are not treated with preservatives.
- Before serving up to your dog, wash and rinse very well. Washing removes dirt or preservatives.
- Remove any leaves or stem from the strawberry. These can get stuck in the dog’s throat, causing a choking hazard.
- Cut the strawberries into small pieces to make chewing and digestion more manageable and avoid choking hazards.
You can also mash the strawberries into a puree and mix it with your dog’s meal or make it into a smoothie or fruit salad. Following these guides, you can now feed your dog strawberries safely.
Can Strawberries Whiten Your Dog’s Teeth?
Yes, strawberries have a teeth-whitening ability.
They contain an enzyme called “malic acid.” This acid allows the dirty particles that create or form stains on your dog’s teeth, also known as dog plaque, to break away. Strawberries are good remedies for mild dog plaque. A strawberry a day keeps the doggy plaque away.
Why Does My Dog Not Eat Strawberries?
Although many dogs love the smell of strawberries and the taste, some do not. They might dislike the scent, the chewiness, or the taste of the strawberry.
If this happens with your dog, you can adjust to other types of fruit and vegetables safe for your dog to eat.
You can also alternate the form in which the strawberry is served. You can freeze, mash, or dice the strawberry and serve your dog.
Can My Dog Eat Frozen Strawberries?
Yes! Your dog can eat frozen strawberries.
If you freeze a fresh strawberry, you can feed it to your dog. You can mix it with your dog’s meals to whet its appetite or smash the frozen strawberries to make your dog’s drink. Just make sure to feed your dog frozen strawberries in moderation.
Can I Feed My Dog Canned Strawberry?
No! Do not feed your dog packed or canned strawberries in the absence of fresh fruit.
Canned strawberries are filled with preservatives, sugar, and their substitutes. The canning process adds excess sugar to the fruit. Some canned strawberries may have chemical additives such as xylitol, which can be very dangerous, and even deadly to your dog.
The use of canned strawberries defiles and ruins the idea of strawberries as a healthy treat for your dog. Stick to organic and fresh strawberries.
Fresh frozen strawberries are good alternatives for your dog and are not toxic as they sound. And always check with your vet first before starting a new food journey with your dog.
What Kind Of Berries Can Dogs Eat?
Unfortunately, not all berries are safe and nutritious for your furry friend. Even though some berries, such as blackberries, raspberries, and cranberries, are safe for your dog’s consumption, there are also harmful types, like juniper berries and berries with pits.
Use caution with all fruits because not all fruits are good for your dog, like how the strawberries are. Before starting your dog on the new food, always reach out to your vet to be sure.
