Can Dogs Eat Strawberries? Are They Good for Them?

It’s the time of year when strawberries start appearing in the grocery store. It’s a sign that summer’s coming and they’re many people’s favorite fruit. Whisked in a smoothie, covered in cream, topping a cake, or even in a salad, they’re packed full of flavor and are so delicious.

But what about your pooch? Can dogs eat strawberries? And how should you serve them?

Here’s everything you need to know about sharing your favorite fruit with your beloved doggo.

In Short: Can Dogs Eat Strawberries?

Yes! The good news is that you can share your favorite fruit with your pooch. Strawberries have lots of nutritional value and are a good replacement treat to other, more calorie-dense alternatives. But you shouldn’t feed them too many.

As is the case with feeding your pup other fruits such as raspberries, cantaloupe, mango, or watermelon, moderation is key. Feeding your pup too much of anything could lead to an upset stomach.

Are Strawberries Good for Dogs?

Because dogs shouldn’t eat too many strawberries, it’s unlikely that they’ll see many of the benefits of eating them. They are, however, a much healthier snack or treat compared to other store-bought ones. Some of the benefits of strawberries include:

• They’re full of antioxidants
• High in fiber
• High in vitamin C
• Keep the immune system strong
• Whiten teeth (an enzyme called malic acid)
• High water content
• Contain vitamin B-1, B-6, and K

Dangers of Feeding Your Dog Strawberries

Strawberries are a healthy snack to feed your pup. But you need to give them in moderation. Strawberries, like many fruits, have high levels of sugar. In excess, sugar can cause different health problems for your dog such as obesity and tooth decay.

When you feed your pup strawberries, remember to clean their teeth shortly afterward to keep them healthy.

Another possible issue with feeding your dog strawberries is getting an upset stomach. Don’t feed your pup too many and just as an occasional treat. If your pup does manage to get its paws on too many strawberries, monitor them for signs of a stomach upset. They may start to vomit or have diarrhea. Give them plenty of liquids and contact your vet if you’re worried.

Can Dogs Eat Strawberry Yogurt?

Strawberry yogurt isn’t the best thing to add to your dog’s diet. Even reduced-sugar strawberry yogurt contains too much sugar and fat for your pup which can affect your dog’s teeth. Some yogurt also contains xylitol which is toxic to dogs.

Your best bet is to make your own strawberry yogurt for pups. Find a sugar-free (and xylitol-free) yogurt and add bite-sized pieces of strawberry to it. You could even try freezing some of the mixture for a refreshing summertime snack. Why not freeze it in an interactive puzzle toy or on a lick mat for extra fun?

Can Dogs Eat Frozen Strawberries?

Yes! Frozen Strawberries are a great treat to give your pup. Depending on their breed, cut them up into small chunks to reduce the risk of them becoming a choking hazard. Your pup will love licking them until they melt and it’s a fun way to keep them cool and entertained. Just make sure you feed it to them outside – it can get a bit messy!

Can Dogs Eat Strawberry Leaves?

If you decide to feed strawberries to your dog, remove the leaves first. Fresh strawberries are a very healthy snack but the leaves can cause stomach troubles. They’re not toxic to dogs, but they don’t add much nutrition and could even cause an intestinal blockage (if your dog eats a lot).

There aren’t many health benefits to feeding your dog the stalk or leaves of strawberries, so remove them first.

Can Dogs Eat Strawberry Icecream?

We don’t recommend giving your pup shop-bought strawberry ice cream. However delicious it might be. All that yumminess comes from lots of sugar and fat which don’t need to be part of your dog’s diet.

Instead, we suggest doing the delicious frozen yogurt with fresh strawberries we mentioned earlier. It’s a much healthier alternative to strawberry ice cream and your pup won’t notice the difference!

Can Dogs Eat Strawberry Jelly?

No, dogs shouldn’t eat strawberry jelly. Jelly contains lots of preservatives, sugar, and extra additives which aren’t healthy for dogs. The best thing is to feed them fresh strawberry puree. You could even try freezing it for added fun.

How Should Your Dog Eat Strawberries?

There are lots of great ways to feed your pup this delicious and nutritious fruit. Here are a couple of ways that our dogs love!

• Sliced up as treats. Strawberries are a great reward for good behavior, just make sure you cut them up into bite-sized pieces and don’t feed your pup too many.
• Frozen. Individually frozen chunks of strawberries are great for dogs to lick and cool off with in summer. Again, make sure they’re small enough for your breed so that they won’t be a choking hazard.
• Whisked up in a smoothie or pupsicle. Dogs love having things to lick as it really adds variety to their diet. Try adding a couple of slices of kiwi with it for another flavor combination. You can also freeze them for texture.
• Making your own strawberry yogurt. Add fresh strawberries to sugar-free, natural yogurt.
• Add them to dog food. It may sound strange to us to add sweet strawberries to regular dog food but your pup might love the variety in texture and flavor.

How Many Strawberries Can Dogs Eat?

Dogs must get most of their nutrients from healthy, well-balanced meals. The general rule to follow is that 90% of their diet should be good quality dog food and 10% can be healthy human snacks. So, how many strawberries dogs can eat will depend on their usual diet and how big they are.

If you’re unsure or worried about introducing the right amount of strawberries into your dog’s diet, check with a pup nutritionist or a vet.

Conclusion – Can Dogs Eat Strawberries?

Yes! Strawberries are a great snack to give your dog. They’re full of lots of nutrients and vitamins and your dog will love them. These delicious berries, however, have quite a high sugar content (like most fruit) so you should only give them in moderation to stop health problems such as tooth decay or obesity.

Always start by giving your pup a small amount of any new food you introduce. You can then monitor them for any issues or allergies and give them a little more if they like it.