Can Dogs Eat Strawberries?

Written by: Bojana Radulovic
Dogs love sharing food with us. Human food, of course. But, have you ever wondered if dogs can eat strawberries and if they can how much is OK for them to it? Read on and discover if you can serve your dog this delicious fruit.

Nothing beats strawberry season. This fruit is juicy, colorful and has a divine taste. Also, nothing says that summer is just around the corner like markets filled with this red fruit.

Strawberries are a healthy snack for humans and highly recommended by doctors due to their beneficial ingredients.

But, can your dog have strawberries, too? This is rather a good question since dogs have completely different systems than humans and nutritional needs as well. Read on to discover if strawberries are a safe treat for your dog.

Can Dogs Eat Strawberries?

Long story short, yes, dogs can eat strawberries. But, there are some things that you should know before you offer this interesting fruit to your dog. Overall, strawberries are full of healthy nutrients that are great for dogs, but like any good thing like banana or dragon fruit, they are best enjoyed in moderation.

Strawberries are not even the smallest toxic or poisonous to dogs, but they do contain sugar, and too many strawberries (read: too much sugar) can easily upset dogs stomach. One of the proper steps of being a responsible dog owner means that you can stay on top of various nutritional topics and communicate with your veterinarian about different questions. So, before you share any human food with your dog make sure that you talk with your veterinarian. There are dogs with certain medical conditions that can’t handle eating strawberries and you should know if your dog is a part of that pack or not.

Can Dogs Eat Strawberry Leaves?

If the fruit is safe for a dog to eat does it mean that a dog can eat an entire plant? Well, this depends on the fruit or the plant. In this particular case, if some eating leaves occurs it is OK, and its not a massive reason to worry about, as long as its not a habit. Eating leaves can lead to stomach upset, that can lead to vomiting or strong and long diarrhea.

If your dog eats some dirt along with leaves and strawberries he should be fine. Just monitor his behavior afterward and make sure that it doesn’t happen again, if possible.

Benefits Of Strawberries For Dogs

Strawberries are a low-calorie and healthy sweet treat for your dog, that is also high in fiber and vitamin C. So, by feeding your dog with strawberries you are promoting high-quality dog nutrition and improving his overall health. Furthermore, strawberries, over time, can slow down the aging process, help with weight management and prevent obesity, next to strengthening the immune system. Strawberries can also help whiten your pup’s teeth.

Great nutrients for your dog that come with strawberries:

  • Fiber – helps with digestion, helps control diarrhea and promotes colon health.
  • Vitamin C – great for lowering the anxiety, helps with skin diseases, increases the blood levels of interferon and antibodies. In addition, in dogs body Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant.
  • High water content – dogs and mammals in general need to consume a certain amount of moisture to digest their food properly (this is the main reason why some dogs drink water immediately as soon as they eat). Food with high water percent helps with urinary problems also.

Besides, strawberries are also a great way to whiten your dog’s teeth thanks to a teeth-whitening enzyme that strawberries contain. Strawberries are also rich in:

With this sweet fruit, your dog will also get vitamins such as B1, B6, C, and K. So, next time when you offer strawberries to your dog make sure that you pick a nice one.

How To Serve Safely Strawberries To Your Dog Safely?

Yes, there is a specific procedure that you should follow to feed your dog with this fruit. Make sure that you wash them thoroughly and cut them in small pieces to prevent choking. Cutting strawberry in small pieces will also make it easier to digest. If you have a small dog you should mash strawberries and mix them with dogs food.

If your dog never tasted strawberries, start with small bites and see how your dog reacts. If you notice anything strange, stop giving them and check with your veterinarian what you should do next.

Pro tip: Frozen strawberries are great summer treat. Cut them, freeze and serve.

Are Some Dogs Allergic To Strawberries?

As with almost all foods, there is always a risk that your dog may not be too fond of strawberries. Yes, your dog may be allergic to strawberries, although this is a rare occurrence. The main reason why you should give new food to your dog in small pieces is due to allergy. If your dog shows any signs of disturbance you can react immediately and scratch that fruit of dog’s menu. If your canine is allergic to strawberries, anaphylaxis can occur. Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening condition. Most common signs of an allergy are:

  • coughing
  • swelling
  • sneezing
  • hives
  • difficulty breathing

If you see the signs of an allergic reaction in your dog make sure that you contact your veterinarian immediately.

Are Canned Strawberries Safe For Dogs?

When strawberries are out of season, you can’t feed your dog with canned strawberries. This is just a big NO. You shouldn’t ever feed your dog with anything that’s packed in syrup or has been sugared. This type of food contains excess sugar and strong calories that your canine simply can’t digest.

Also, canned food usually comes with additives such as artificial sweetener xylitol­­ – this sweetener is so dangerous that it can be even deadly to your dog. This type of food can contain additional chemicals, sweeteners, and preservatives. Any intake of this food can lead to a trip to the emergency vet, so better avoid it. All. The. Time.

Are Wild Strawberries Safe For Dogs?

If you hike with a dog or you just have a forest near to your backyard, you should know that in many open places you can find wild strawberries. They are also, small, red and delicious. But are they safe for dogs? Truth be told, although this is a wild fruit, they are pretty safe for dogs. Wild strawberries (Fragaria vesca) are not toxic to dogs. However, just like with any other food, if your dog eats too much of them he may upset his stomach.

He may also throw up. If this happens, provide him plenty of water but withhold food for 12 to even 24 hours. Instead, monitor his behavior, and if you think that it doesn’t get any better contact your veterinarian. On the other hand, if you see that his stomach is calmer with each passing minute, you can serve him boiled white rice or 2 to 3 parts of chicken breast.

The most important thing here is to make sure that you don’t let your dog eat too much and if it happens to eat to react properly.

What About Other Berries?

You probably want to know id strawberries are safe for dogs are other berries safe as well, right? Well, the answer is – yes. Berries are safe for dogs, including:

Cranberries are little bitter and dogs are not huge fans of the bitter taste. But, bear in mind that not all berries are safe for your dog, including juniper berries or berries with pits. Always be careful and always research any new food before you surprise your canine with new tastes.

Can Dog Eat Strawberries – Key Takeaways

Strawberries are not toxic to dogs, but they contain sugar which is not so welcoming in canine’s nutritional menu. After all, too much sugar can disturb your dog’s stomach.

Make sure that you do your research properly and even contact your veterinarian if needed to check for extra information, especially if your dogs suffer from some certain health condition. Yummy treats are always better when you serve them responsibly.