Homemade diets

Can Dogs Eat Strawberries?

 
Josie F. Turner
By Josie F. Turner, Journalist specialized in Animal Welfare. April 11, 2022
Can Dogs Eat Strawberries?
Dogs

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Dogs should be fed proteins of animal origin and, to a lesser extent, fruits, vegetables, and certain cereals to supplement their diet. Fruits and vegetables provide the dog with essential vitamins, minerals, fiber, etc. Therefore, a healthy dog receives supplements from different food groups, which is not only beneficial to their body, but also enables them to experience new tastes and textures. When it comes to fruits, there are some that are recommended for your pet, and others that are not.

In this AnimalWised article, we will tell you if dogs can eat strawberries and how to give them to them.

You may also be interested in: Can Rabbits Eat Strawberries?

Contents

  1. Can dogs eat fruit?
  2. Can dogs eat strawberries?
  3. Benefits of strawberries for dogs
  4. How to give strawberries to a dog?
  5. What other fruits can dogs eat?

Can dogs eat fruit?

The dog's diet should be based on proteins and good fats, but that is not the only thing dogs should eat. In order to prevent health problems and provide the animal with optimal nutrition, it is important to give the dog high-quality food, made from natural ingredients and suitable for human consumption. Likewise, it is good to supplement the diet with natural foods that your dog loves.

Fruits are one of the food groups that dogs can eat. They provide vitamins, minerals, new flavors and are an excellent substitute for prizes or commercial sweets, since they are natural. Nevertheless, you should remember that many of the fruits have too high sugar content for dogs, so you should not overdo it. It is recommended that fruits and vegetables should not exceed 10-15% of the dog's daily diet.

It is also important to say that not all fruits are recommended for dogs, some of them can cause health issues. Be sure to check with your trusted veterinarian before introducing new food to your dog's diet.

As we mentioned earlier, most fruits are safe for dogs, but there are some that can be harmful to your pet's health. If you want to learn more about which fruits to avoid, read this article about forbidden fruits and vegetables for dogs.

Can dogs eat strawberries?

Strawberries are safe for dogs. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, there is no risk in allowing your pet to try this fruit. However, you should keep in mind that strawberries, like all fruits, contain sugar, so you should only offer them in moderation. This means that, as already mentioned, it is not advisable to exceed 15% of the daily diet. Considering the fact that dogs can eat a variety of fruits, nutrition experts recommend for dogs to offer different fruits every day.

If you are interested in feeding your dog naturally, we recommend you to continue reading this article about natural nutrition for dogs.

Benefits of strawberries for dogs

We all know that fruits are healthy and more recommended than any other snack or treat, but what nutrients do they provide?

In the case of the strawberry, the United States Department of Agriculture database shows that it is a low-calorie fruit, as 100 grams have 32 kcal. It is also not one of the fruits with the highest sugar content, which makes it one of the most suitable for dogs. To be exact, 100 grams of strawberries provide 7.5 grams of sugar.

Because strawberries contain 90% water, they are ideal for keeping dogs hydrated, especially on hot days. Of course, other fruits can also be used for this purpose, such as watermelon or melon, to provide some variety for the dog.

The following is a list of one of the most important properties and benefits of strawberries for dogs, in addition to those already listed:

  • Strawberries provide vitamin C, which has antioxidant properties.

  • Strawberries contain vitamin K, which helps strengthen bones.

  • Strawberries provide vitamin B1, which is responsible for the conversion of carbohydrates into energy.

  • Strawberries provide vitamin B6, a vital element for the formation of red blood cells.

  • Strawberries contribute to the delay of aging, as they promote cell regeneration.

  • Strawberries are rich in dietary fiber.

  • Strawberries improve the immune system
    .
  • Strawberries provide minerals such as magnesium and copper.

How to give strawberries to a dog?

Now that you know that your dog can eat strawberries and benefit from all their properties, it's time to talk about how to feed strawberries to a dog.

Get fresh strawberries and wash them very well, removing any bruised or dark parts. Then remove the leaves from the top. They are bitter, and your dog will not like them. Finally, cut the strawberries into pieces.

As for the amount of strawberries that a dog can eat, we have already said that the percentage of fruit is between 10 and 15% of the total daily diet. So, depending on the animal's diet, size, age and activity level, you can give more or less strawberries. Of course, it is important to introduce any new food gradually and observe the dog's reaction to make sure the dog is not allergic or intolerant.

Remember again that fruit is a natural snack that should be given in moderation, and always vary the strawberry with another fruit recommended for dogs, such as mango or banana.

What should you avoid when giving strawberries to a dog?

Also, avoid giving your dog strawberries in the form of juice, whether homemade or packaged, as the sugar concentration is too high and would be harmful to your dog.

Also, do not give your dog strawberries with chocolate coating or filling, as they contain theobromine, an alkaloid that is slowly broken down by dogs and can cause health problems.

Can Dogs Eat Strawberries? - How to give strawberries to a dog?

What other fruits can dogs eat?

Now that you know that dogs can eat strawberries, how to offer them and that it is advisable to vary the fruits, what other fruits can they eat?

These fruits can be eaten by your dog in moderation as long as you remove seeds, pips and cores.

  • Apples (remove seeds and core).
  • Cucumbers
  • Oranges (can cause gastrointestinal distress if too much is eaten)
  • Mango (remove skin and core)
  • Peaches (avoid the pits)
  • Pears
  • Pineapple
  • Banana

If you want to know more about what fruits and vegetables are recommended for dogs and what benefits they offer, keep reading this article about recommended fruits and vegetables for dogs.

If you want to read similar articles to Can Dogs Eat Strawberries?, we recommend you visit our Homemade diets category.

References
  1. ASPCA. Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants . Available at: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/wild-strawberry
  2. USDA. Strawberries . Available at: https://bit.ly/2PAvyMe
Bibliography
  • Ziegler, J. (2017). The Black Book of Veterinarians . Barcelona: Macro.
  • Knowles, G. (2016). Healthy cooking for your dog . Madrid: The Sphere of Books.
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Can Dogs Eat Strawberries?