Strawberries are a delicious and very nutritious dessert or snack for humans. This beautiful fruit can be bought at the supermarket or even grown in your own garden at home (especially in the warmer months, when they’re in season). At some point, you may have a strawberry in your hands and wonder if your furry friend can eat it. So, can dogs eat strawberries? Let’s find out!
Can dogs eat strawberries?
Good news: they are safe for dogs, so yes!
Strawberries, as you may be aware, are full of vitamins and nutrients. This makes them healthy dog treats that you can share once in a while, when you’re in the mood to offer something different. It’s also a good way to boost your pup’s nutrition with beneficial nutrients.
What are the health benefits of strawberries?
Strawberries are high in immune system boosting vitamins C, B1, B6, and K. They’re also high in minerals, including potassium, iodine, magnesium, and folic acid.
Besides being a bomb of vitamins and minerals, strawberries also bring more to the table. They contain antioxidants (that fight free radicals and support overall health), fiber (which improves gastrointestinal health), and malic acid (a natural enzyme which helps to clean your dog’s teeth).
What should I be aware of when offering strawberries to my dog?
The only strawberries you should feed your buddy are pure fresh or pure frozen. Canned, packed in syrup or sugared are a big no, because they are toxic for your dog.
Our advice is to start adding these berries to your pup’s food very slowly, to make sure your dog is not allergic, and to see how well they’ll digest the fruit. Diarrhea or too much soft stool could indicate that maybe your dog’s digestive system is not happy with this new strawberries thing!
Consulting your vet before starting to add these fruits to your dog’s diet is a must. Either way, you should keep in mind that treats should account for no more than 10% of your dog’s daily diet.
For a small dog, one strawberry per day is enough. For bigger dogs, 3-4 strawberries are ok.
If your dog is diabetic, avoid giving them strawberries. The large amounts of sugar this fruit contains are not beneficial for dogs with this condition. În fact, it’s important to keep in mind that even for a healthy dog, too many strawberries can potentially cause stomach upset… So moderation is, once again, something you should always keep in mind!
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Great site, can”t wait to read it all the way threw!!!
Thanks, Dianne! 🙂