Dogs can eat, digest, and benefit from fruits and vegetables. However, not all fruits or vegetables are safe or healthy. Some are harmful, unhealthy, or bad. Are strawberries one the good fruits for dogs, and can pups eat them safely?
What are strawberries?
Garden strawberries, strawberries, botanically known as Fragaria × ananassa, are hybrid fruits (a cross of Fragaria virginiana and Fragaria chiloensis) in the genus Fragaria and family Rosaceae (rose family). They share this family with other fruits with cherries, apples, pears, loquats, blackberries, raspberries, plums, apricots, quinces, cherries, among others.
On the other hand, the wild version is known as Fragaria vesca, fraisier des bois, or woodland, Alpine, Carpathian, European strawberries.
While the name may indicate they are berries, these suit fruits are not botanical berries. They are considered aggregate fruits since the parts of their flowers, besides the ovary become fleshy fruit part.
Nutritional profile
These are nutrient-rich. To get a glimpse, let look at their typical nutrition per 100 grams.
| Calories | 33 |
| Carbohydrates | 7.68g |
| Sugars | 4.89g |
| Dietary fibers | 2g |
| Fats | 0.3g |
| Protein | 0.67g |
| Water | 90.95g |
Additionally, they are a good source of vitamin C and manganese. They also have other nutrients in small amounts, including potassium, magnesium, folate, and vitamin B6.
Finally, these fruits are rich in phytonutrients or polyphenols like flavonoids (flavanols, flavonols, and anthocyanins), phenolic acids (hydroxycinnamic acid, and hydroxybenzoic acid), fisetin, achene phytochemicals (ellagitannins, ellagic acid glycosides, and ellagic acid).
Can dogs eat strawberries?
Yes. Dogs can eat strawberries in moderation as a treat. Both the fresh and frozen strawberries are ok, i.e., strawberries are not toxic or poisonous to dogs or puppies. However, they are high in sugars from their nutritional composition above, the reason why to feed as a reward only.
All dog and puppy breeds, including golden retrievers, greyhounds, rottweilers, schnauzers, Labradors, Maltipoo, poodle, English, and French bulldogs, Yorkies, pugs, chihuahua, huskies, Shih Tzu, German shepherds, Pomeranians, chihuahua, and others can eat strawberries.
However, since the dog breed influences their size, activity level, and calorie intake, the number of strawberries the various breeds eat may vary. All you need to ensure that all calories from treats, including commercial (store-bought), or fruits like strawberries, don’t exceed 10% of their calorie intake.
Are strawberries good for dogs?
Indeed, dogs don’t require fruits in their diet. However, they can derive various benefits from fruits. Some of the benefits that strawberries have to your pup include the following:
1. Nutritious and delightful
From the nutritional profile we have looked at, you have noticed that these delightful fruits have some nutrients and are very healthy, especially vitamin C, manganese, folate, potassium, and benefit your dog. While canines can make their vitamin C in their liver, the one they get from their diet will not harm your pups.
Besides the nutrients, dogs will love their taste since they have taste buds that react to sweet things like humans. Therefore, these animals have a tooth for sweet things, and this fruit is one of them.
2. Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits
Some of the phytonutrients (polyphenols), which together with vitamin C and manganese (part of the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase), are potent antioxidants that help boost immunity, neutralize free radicals which may cause inflammation and damage of cells, tissues, DNA, or cause premature aging. Also, free radicals may cause or contribute to various chronic illnesses, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, etc.
Additionally, some of these polyphenols have anti-inflammatory properties, which may help manage diseases like cancer, heart diseases, diabetes, Crohn’s disease, diabetes, allergies, etc. associated with inflammation. They will do so by suppressing inflammatory enzymes.
3. A healthy low-calorie snack
One medium strawberry weighing 12 grams has about 3.96 calories, making them a good low-calorie and low-sodium reward alternative to give your furry friend. Most of the commercial treats tend to be high in carbohydrates, fats, and calories. Therefore, it may help in weight loss.
4. Dietary fiber
Dog’s don’t have a physiological need for fiber. Nevertheless, it is vital to these pets, andthese fruits have both fermentable and non-fermentable fibers like lignin, hemicellulose, cellulose, and so on.
Fiber is vital in promoting a healthy gut, preventing diarrhea or constipation, weight loss, may support renal health, help diabetic canines, is suitable for cardiovascular health, and so on.
5. Teeth whitening enzymes
Another important reason you should start giving strawberries to your dogs is that they have a tooth-whitening enzyme of malic acid that will help keep your dog’s teeth white.
How to feed strawberries to your dog?
Successful feeding of strawberries or any new fruit to your dog needs you to know the correct amount and how to go about it. Our advice is to first talk with your vet about it.
1. How much
How many strawberries to give your dog depends on your dog’s calorie intake and the size of these fruits. For illustration, let us assume your pup requires 400 calories daily intake. This means that going by the 10% rule, and they should consume at most 40 calories of treats.
Again, assuming your pup gets 50% of calories from other treats, strawberries should then contribute only for the remaining 50%, which is 20 calories. On average:
| Strawberry size | Calorie | Number to feed your dog that eats 400 calorie |
| Small (1-inch diameter, 7 g) | 2 | 10 |
| Medium (1-1/4-inch diameter, 12 g) | 4 | 5 |
| Large (1-3/8-inch diameter 18g) | 6 | 3 |
| Extra-large (1-5/8-inch diameter 27 g) | 9 | 2 |
These numbers will vary depending on the pup size and the number of other treats they are having. Try as much as possible not to make these fruits the only reward since they high in sugar and keeps varying those they eat. Offering variety will introduce new textures and taste that will keep your dog more interested and change the nutrients they receive.
Finally, if you are unable to dose this fruit correctly, seek the help of an animal nutritionist or your vet to help you come up with the right amounts.
2. Wash and slice them
Remove the stalk and leaves, and thoroughly wash your strawberries under running water to eliminate any remnant farm chemicals. Buying organic one will be the best of ideas. However, avoid overripe ones as they may carry potted Wing Drosophila worms (maggots), and don’t give your dog’s spoilt strawberries or those that have grown molds.
After washing them, slice them into small to make eating and digestion much more manageable. Unlike humans, pooches gulp their food without much chewing. However, for larger canines, you don’t have to slice them.
3. Introduce slowly
One key to success in introducing any new food to your pup is starting with a small amount. Therefore, start only with a tiny piece of strawberry and watch how their tummies react. If they don’t cause any digestion troubles, increase the amount gradually over 7-10 days.
The slow introduction will give their sensitive tummies time to adjust to the new food. However, if it causes diarrhea, gas, stomach upsets, or vomiting, discontinue feeding strawberries to your dog and talk to your vet.
4. Feeding tips
Dogs can have fresh, frozen, freeze-dried, dehydrated, or dried strawberries. They are all safe and ok. The frozen ones will make a good treat during hot summers. However, since they will be higher in sugar, minimize the amount of freeze-dried and dried strawberries. Some of the feeding ideas include the following:
- Offer them fresh or frozen ones directly as a treat or reward during training. Frozen ones are a perfect choice for dogs that don’t yet know their taste.
- Hide them in their puzzle toys for them to find. Hiding them in puzzle toys will be a fun way to help stimulate your canine friend mentally.
- Puree, mash or crumble them and sprinkle or mix them with their food. Do this if your pup seems not to like strawberries or any other safe fruits.
- Make dog-friendly strawberry popsicles or smoothies
When can strawberries be bad?
Yes, strawberries are not toxic or poisonous, your dogs, or puppies. However, there are times when they can be bad, harmful, or even hurt your pup. Such times include the following:
1. Eat too much
Since they are high in sugar, strawberries may cause diarrhea, vomiting, gas, bloating, and other stomach troubles if your dog overeats them. While they can digest the sugars they have, they may not handle too many sugars well and may make them sick.
If your dog love the taste of strawberries, there are dog treats, meal mixers, and foods that have this fruit or are strawberry flavored.
2. Is under treatment
Never introduce any new fruit or vegetable if your pooch is under treatment without consulting your veterinarian. Should it cause vomiting, stomach upset, or diarrhea, it may interfere with the treatment and healing process.
3. Is diabetic or has other chronic diseases
The high sugar in these fruits may cause a blood sugar spike in diabetic dogs, mostly if they overeat. Therefore, please don’t give them any fruit or new food without consulting your veterinarian. This applies to those with any other chronic illness, including chronic renal failure or liver diseases.
4. Is obese or under therapeutic diets
Dogs under therapeutic diets should stick to only these diets and nothing else as the new food may interfere with these diets’ efficacy. Similarly, being high in sugar, we wouldn’t recommend strawberries if your dog is obese or under diets to help manage weight.
5. Is allergic
Can dogs be allergic to strawberries? Yes. However, this happens rarely. Even some people are allergic to them. Should it happen, your dog suffers allergies when it consumes strawberries, avoid them.
Signs of food allergies include vomiting, diarrhea, itchy and irritated skin, especially on its stomach, rear end, ears or paws, and other skin issues. Also, they have difficulties in breathing, sneeze, cough, and so on. Talk to your vet if you notice any of these symptoms.
Avoid leaves and tops
Strawberry leaves, stems, or tops (plant) are not toxic or poisonous to pups and will not kill your dog. However, unlike vegetables, which we first cook or puree to make them soft and more comfortable to digest, raw leaves are fibrous. It may be difficult for your dogs to digest them. This can potentially cause indigestion and gastrointestinal blockages.
If you suspect that your dog has ingested these leaves, check for signs such as lethargy, reduced appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain and boating, difficulties passing stool (straining), among others, and talk to your vet.
Can puppies eat strawberries?
Yes. Strawberries are ok and safe for puppies. However, being young, we recommend limiting the amount you give them as too much may cause digestive issues. Their tummies are still young, and too many fruits or even vegetables may cause stomach troubles.
We recommend giving them 1-2 small strawberry, one medium, and half large one for a puppy of a medium-size dog breed. Don’t forget to dice them into small pieces.
Wild strawberries
Wild strawberries (Fragaria vesca) are safe for dogs to eat, and ASPCA notes that all the genus Fragaria fruits are safe for dogs, cats, and horses. However, ensure they have not been sprayed with any harmful herbicides or pesticides. Also, wash them thoroughly.
What to avoid?
Don’t give your dogs any strawberry syrup such as the strawberry pop tarts, jams, jelly, canned strawberries, or any other product with this fruit, including strawberry milk, energy drinks, ice cream, smoothies, cheesecakes, milkshakes, and so on as. Most have added sugar as well as other potentially harmful ingredients like xylitol, artificial preservatives, syrup and so on.
Also, avoid strawberry gourmet chocolate as chocolate is toxic to dogs, with toxicity agents being theobromine and caffeine and any other
More on strawberries
The characteristic flavor, juicy texture, sweetness, and bright color are a big attraction for strawberries. The various cultivars like Cambridge, Favorite, Symphony, Pegasus, Honeoye, etcetera may vary in sweetness, flavor, size, color, and time when they ripe area safe for dogs and puppies.
People love to eat fresh, frozen, or dried strawberries and their products that have them, including jams, juices, pies, chocolates, and dairy products such as strawberry yogurt, smoothies, milkshakes, milk, and so on.
However, some products such as lip glosses, shampoos, candies, perfumes, and other cosmetics use artificial strawberry flavoring and not the actual fruits.
Other safe fruits and harmful ones
Besides strawberries, your dogs can also eat the following fruits:
However, don’t grapes, raisins, or tomatoes toxic or potentially harmful to your pups. Also, be very cautious if you insist on feeding cherries to your dogs and only ensure they eat the fleshy part (meat) only. Cherries leaves, pits, and stems have cyanide, which is poisonous and can be lethal if consumed in large amounts.
Conclusion
Dogs and puppies of all breeds, including your French bulldogs, Yorkies, pugs, chihuahuas, Shih Tzu, Pomeranians, German shepherds, among others, are allowed to eat strawberries as a healthy, low-calorie treat.
These fruits are rich in nutrients like vitamin C, have dietary fiber, phytonutrients, and enzymes that may make your dog’s teeth whiter. However, they are high in sugars, a reason why you shouldn’t give them more. Also, avoid syrups, jams, juices, or any products with these fruits.