Can dogs eat strawberries?
When the Summer sunshine arrives, what is more delicious than a juicy, red strawberry? You'll probably find your dog thinks the same! But how safe is it for dogs to eat strawberries?
Here's the good news! It is perfectly safe to share a strawberry or two with your dog. The same applies to puppies and younger dogs.
Health benefits for dogs eating strawberries
Strawberries aren't the first food you think of when you consider a dog's regular diet, but it's worth remembering that dogs are omnivores. This means, just like humans, they can digest fruit and vegetables as well as meat.
There is a range of health benefits that come from feeding strawberries to dogs. You'll find potassium, manganese, and Vitamin C are in abundance in this delicious fruit.
Vitamin C is beneficial to the canine immune system. Manganese is a mineral that helps convert carbohydrates and proteins from their regular dog food into energy. Potassium is excellent for nerve and muscle function, particularly from its natural form, rather than added artificially to dog food.
Strawberries can also help to keep your dog's teeth white as they contain a tooth whitening enzyme - perfect for looking after your dog's teeth.
How many strawberries can my dog eat?
It's best to keep strawberries as a treat. They contain sugar, albeit naturally occurring. With canine diabetes becoming an issue for many dogs, it is best to limit the amount of sugar they eat, especially if they are overweight. Your vet will recommend that treats make up no more than 10% of your dog's diet. So, don't feed your dog a whole punnet of strawberries but sharing the odd one can be beneficial.
What about feeding strawberries to puppies?
Strawberries are safe for puppies to eat. Cut them into small pieces to avoid any issues with choking. Alternatively, you can mash them up. Just be aware of the number of treats you feed to your puppy. The majority of their sustenance should come from a nutritionally balanced complete feed to ensure they grow big and strong. Don't give in to their puppy dog eyes pleading with you to share your food!
Best fruits to feed your dog
Strawberries aren’t the only fruit your dog can enjoy. Bananas are an excellent treat in small quantities, packed with potassium, fibre, and vitamins. Blueberries, full of antioxidants and vitamins, make perfect training rewards. Oranges are a great source of vitamin C but should be fed in moderation to avoid upsetting your dog’s stomach. Apples, with their crunchy, fibre-rich texture, are a great snack as long as you remove the seeds and core. Melons like watermelon and cantaloupe (seedless) are hydrating and ideal for hot days.
Important: Never feed grapes or raisins to your dog, as they are highly toxic and can cause severe health problems.
Top homemade dog treats with strawberries
Making homemade treats is a great way to spoil your dog while keeping things healthy. Here are a few simple recipes featuring strawberries:
1. Frozen strawberry cubes
- Blend a handful of strawberries with plain, unsweetened yoghurt.
- Pour the mixture into ice cube trays and freeze.
- These are perfect for cooling your dog down on a hot day.
2. Strawberry and banana bites
- Mash one ripe banana and mix it with chopped strawberries.
- Add a small amount of softened rolled oats for texture.
- Shape into small balls and refrigerate until firm.
3. Strawberry dog smoothie
- Blend strawberries with water and a spoonful of peanut butter (ensure it's xylitol-free).
- Serve as a refreshing drink or freeze into popsicles for a fun snack.
4. Strawberry Kong filler
- Mash strawberries and mix them with plain cottage cheese.
- Spoon the mixture into your dog's Kong toy and freeze for an engaging, tasty treat.
FAQs about dogs eating strawberries
About the Author
Adam Jolley is a writer specialising in insurance, personal finance, and pets. He’s worked for Confused.com and Admiral Insurance, and currently writes and edits for an online magazine. His strangest pet was a hissing cockroach. Now, he’s a proud cat dad to Penelope, affectionately known as Nelly.
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