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Can Dogs Eat Strawberries? | PUPPYFAQS

Can Dogs Eat Strawberries?

can dogs eat strawberries

Strawberries are a tasty, juicy fruit that we love to enjoy in the summer as a healthy snack or dessert. Have you ever wondered – can dogs eat strawberries? 

In this article, we will look at whether strawberries are a safe fruit that you can offer your dog as a treat or a snack, and what the health benefits and risks are.

In this article, we will discuss:

  • Are strawberries safe for dogs?
  • How many strawberries are safe to feed to your dog?
  • When are strawberries bad for your dog?
  • What are the health benefits of strawberries for dogs?
  • How to feed strawberries to your dog
safe for dogs to eat

Yes, dogs can eat strawberries.

Blueberries are a excellent source of antioxidants, vitamins, and more. Blueberries are a healthy treat for dogs, and most puppies love them.

Are Strawberries Safe For Dogs?

It is wise never to assume that all fruits are healthy and safe for dogs just because they are healthy and safe for our children to eat and for us. This goes for all human food too. 

Some fruits like grapes are, in fact, toxic for dogs, and even a small quantity of this fruit can put your dog’s life at risk. 

Other fruits like apples, cherries, or peaches may pose a threat to your dog due to toxic pips and stalks or hard stones, pits, and chewy cores that may harm your dog’s teeth, be a choking hazard or cause internal blockages if your dog swallows them whole.

The good news is that strawberries are among the safe fruits for dogs to eat, and to a certain extent, you can feed them without worrying that they might make your dog ill. 

However, as with all fruit, there are some exceptions and guidelines to consider when feeding, which we will explore in the following sections.

can dogs eat strawberries

How Many Strawberries Are Safe To Feed To Your Dog?

While strawberries may not be toxic for your dog, this doesn’t necessarily mean that they won’t cause your dog to become sick. As with many other types of fruit, it is crucial always to feed strawberries in moderation. 

There are two reasons for this. Firstly, your dog may not be used to eating fruit or strawberries. If they overindulge, they are likely to experience an upset stomach due to their digestive system not being used to processing the fruit. 

Related Topic: Can dogs eat bananas?

Secondly, there is always such a thing as too much of a good thing, and though strawberries may be right for your dog in many ways, they are also very high in sugar, which isn’t good for your dog. This is often what can cause your dog to have an upset stomach.

Due to the high content of sugar in strawberries, this may not be a fruit that is suitable for individual dogs that suffer from medical conditions such as diabetes or obesity. 

If you are concerned that your dog may have a medical condition that could affect how their body handles sugary fruits like strawberries, you should ask your veterinarian for advice.

doggie park

When Are Strawberries Bad For Your Dog?

Strawberries can cause problems for your dog if you don’t ensure that they are thoroughly rinsed with water because feeding them, especially with strawberries bought from your local supermarket. 

Related topics: Can dogs eat cantaloupe?

This is due to the risk of pesticide or herbicide residue on the skin that can make your dog sick. It is advised not to let your dog eat strawberries grown in your garden if you use these products on them while they are growing.

Your dog may also be allergic to strawberries, and this is probably something that you are not going to know about until it happens. 

If you are feeding strawberries to your dog for the first time, you should only feed a minimal amount at first, and be sure to supervise them closely afterward for a few hours to observe any adverse effects. 

Keeping a close eye on them will ensure that you can react quickly if a problem develops.

Related Topic: Can dogs eat apricots?

If your dog does have an allergic reaction to strawberries, there is a small risk that it could lead to anaphylaxis, which is a potentially life-threatening condition. 

Therefore, allergy symptoms must be taken seriously and be promptly addressed.

Look out for the following symptoms of an allergic reaction:

  • Swelling or hives
  • Coughing or sneezing
  • Difficulty breathing

If you notice any of these symptoms, you should either call your vet for advice immediately or take them straight into the clinic for diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible.

are strawberries safe for dogs

What Are The Health Benefits Of Strawberries For Dogs?

Strawberries are a highly nutritious fruit, which means that they are super tasty and full of goodness and health benefits for your dog. Strawberries are great for your dog’s digestion when fed in moderation, as they contain plenty of fiber.

Strawberries are also a good source of Omega-3, helping to keep your dog’s skin and coat in optimal condition.

Fruits are always a go-to food when we want to boost our immune system with a supply of vitamins and minerals. Strawberries contain vitamins C, B1, B6, and K. 

They are also a good source of potassium, magnesium, iodine, and folic acid. That’s a lot of power packed into one small fruit, all of which is great news for your dog.

Did you know that strawberries also have some rather unexpected health benefits for your dog? Along with many other fresh fruits, strawberries help to slow the aging process. 

They also strengthen the immune system and help your dog to maintain healthy body weight. Another awesome bonus is that strawberries can help to whiten your dog’s teeth!

How To Feed Strawberries To Your Dog

If you are concerned about feeding a new food to your dog, especially if your dog has an underlying medical condition, you can always look to your veterinarian for advice. 

They will be able to guide you on whether a food is appropriate for your dog, and they may even be able to offer alternative options if not. 

At the same time, they will be able to answer your questions about quantities and frequency of feeding, depending on the size, age, breed, and health condition of your dog.

If your vet decides that it is safe for you to feed strawberries to your dog, or if you have done sufficient research and you feel confident to try them out, you should always opt for fresh organic strawberries. 

These will not have been treated with preservatives or any other harmful substances such as pesticides or herbicides. 

can puppies eat strawberries

Can dogs eat strawberries?

Regardless of whether the strawberries are organic or not, you should still rinse them with cold water before offering them to your dog, as this will wash away any impurities.

Most dogs are unlikely to choke on a whole strawberry, as they are small and soft. However, for your peace of mind, you may decide to chop the fruit up into smaller pieces. 

Alternatively, you can mash the fruit up for smaller dogs, puppies, or older dogs who might prefer to lick rather than chew due to oral issues.

Strawberries can be fed alone or mixed in with other food or dog treats. They are great to use as rewards when training too. Why not try freezing strawberries for a cold and crunchy summer treat that will help to cool your dog down in the warmer months?

When freezing strawberries, you can freeze them whole or in pieces, or you can mash them up and stuff a Kong toy for your dog to enjoy fresh or frozen. 

This makes a significant longer-lasting treat and provides much more mental stimulation for your dog as he works to get the yummy strawberry treat out of the Kong toy.

If you are feeling creative, you can blend strawberries with other fruits, as long as they are also safe to feed to your dog. 

Here is a list of safe fruits you can mix with strawberries to feed your dog:

FAQS

Summary

Summer is a great time to get creative with delicious new foods and snacks to treat your dog with, but it is also a highly risky time of the year as dogs are exposed to so many foods that can do them more harm than good. 

Finding out which foods are safe options for a dog is such a great idea. Your dog benefits not only from being able to enjoy a more significant variety of tasty treats, but they receive all the health benefits of those foods too. 

So now that you know that strawberries are a great choice of fruit for your dog, you can save a few from your carton, especially for them!

can dogs eat strawberries

Liz

I'm a self-employed blogger, life-long pet parent, and lover of dogs. I have always loved animals, especially puppies. So when my family got our first dog 15 years ago, it was love at first sight. We named her Sassy because she was so small, cute, and had a sassy personality! Once we got her home, I wanted to know everything about caring for her, so I researched online. Eventually, this led me to create the PUPPYFAQS website, where I write about nutrition, health, and care of puppies and the latest news in the world of puppies. In my spare time, I volunteer at my local shelter, which is run by volunteers who are passionate about helping homeless dogs find their forever homes. If I'm not working or volunteering for dogs, you can find me spending time with my family, friends, and my puppy. I have been writing professionally online since 2009. In addition to PUPPYFAQS, I also write for several other pet-related publications.

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