Yes, dogs can eat strawberries. Strawberries are full of fiber and vitamin C. Along with that, they also contain an enzyme that can help whiten your dog’s teeth as he or she eats them. Like all fruits, strawberries contain natural sugar, so offer them in moderation.
Frozen strawberries can be a fun enrichment treat for dogs. (Or you could just eat the strawberries yourself and hide your dog’s favorite training treat in this cute strawberry-shaped snuffle mat instead!)
Are strawberries safe for dogs to eat?
Yes, strawberries are safe for dogs to eat when served the right way. When you give your dog a strawberry, you’re helping them stay healthy in more ways than you may think.
Similar to blueberries and cranberries, strawberries are packed with antioxidants, low in calories, high in dietary fiber, and a good source of vitamin C. Strawberries can also help manage your dog’s weight and whiten its teeth.
Should I Feed My Dog Strawberries in Moderation?
Strawberries can have positive health benefits for dogs if given like any other treat or snack—in small portion sizes.
Strawberries should be considered treats and therefore should make up no more than ten percent of your dog’s daily calories. Use this as a guide so the strawberries you feed your dog won’t cause him to gain extra pounds.
We love to eat strawberries because they are sweet, but sweet means sugar. A lot of sugar, when it comes from fruit, isn’t beneficial to dogs. Keeping sugar intake to a minimum is another reason to avoid giving a dog too many strawberries.
Health benefits of strawberries
According to the American Kennel Club, strawberries are full of antioxidants and are high in vitamin C and fiber. The fruit also contains Omega-3, which benefits skin and coat health.
Feeding your dog strawberries can curb the aging process, strengthen the immune system and help manage weight gain, says the AKC. Strawberries can also whiten your dog’s teeth.
Can Dogs Eat Canned Strawberries?
Avoid giving your dog canned human foods, including strawberries, because they contain added sugar or syrup, which can harm your dog’s health. Moreover, canned strawberries may have preservatives or additives that aren’t good for your pet’s health.
Overall, canned strawberries don’t have any health benefits but can cause digestive issues due to the high sugar content and other harmful ingredients in most dogs, such as diarrhea, upset stomach, and other more serious health conditions.
Offering your dog fresh strawberries in bite-sized pieces is always better. They’re good for dogs for many reasons. Fresh strawberries will benefit your pet’s health and clean your pup’s teeth when eaten raw because they contain malic acid.
Can Dogs Eat Frozen Strawberries?
Absolutely! Canines can consume frozen strawberries. They’re a healthy treat for dogs and can be a great way to cool them down on hot summer days; canines also experience heat strokes.
However, note that your dog should only eat frozen strawberries in small amounts. Too much of anything, especially new foods, can cause different health issues, such as diarrhea, stomach upset, etc.
What are some ways you can feed your dog strawberries?
There are plenty of ways to prepare strawberries for your dog, and there are many different homemade dog food recipes to get inspiration from that use strawberries.
One way to incorporate strawberries into your dog’s diet is by making homemade puppy ice cream! We created a recipe that included strawberries and peanut butter (another fan favorite packed with nutrients), and you can read about it here.
One great aspect of that recipe is that we included strawberry tops. Yes, you heard me; dogs can eat the entire strawberry, making cooking even more effortless
Another way to feed your dog strawberries is with our Organic Oats & Berry Meal Mix. This mix is filled with organic strawberries that make cooking for your Dog Child simple, delicious, and something they will love.
Our mixes can be batch cooked in less than 15 minutes a week, making cooking for your dog easier than ever. Please follow our detailed feeding guidelines for complete and balanced meals.
How to Feed Strawberries to Your Dog
You should always consult with your vet before serving strawberries to determine the right portion size for your dog. Even a healthy treat like strawberries should be factored into your dog’s optimum daily balanced diet. Dr. Bayazit recommends:
Only feeding fresh or unsweetened frozen strawberries to your dog. Do not feed them strawberries that are canned, sugared, or packed in syrup.
The sugar content is too high, and these foods might have added preservatives and sweeteners like xylitol which can be deadly. And skip the chocolate-covered ones as chocolate is toxic to dogs.
Removing the tops, stems, and leaves and cutting berries into small-sized chunks to avoid a possible choking hazard. While leaves are not toxic, consuming them can lead to stomach upset.
Slicing or chopping into bite-sized pieces; for smaller dogs mashing up or pureeing the berries and adding them to your dog’s regular food.
Adding a few small pieces to your dog’s prepared food as a vitamin booster.
If possible, Dr. Bayazit says buying and serving organic strawberries is always preferable; either way, careful and thorough washing of the fruits is vital before serving.
As with any new food added to your pet’s diet, start out serving strawberries very slowly to see how well the fruits are being digested. Soft stool or diarrhea can be indications that strawberries do not agree with your dog, or he has consumed too many.
