dog strawberry

Can Dogs Eat Strawberries? Are They Good For Them?

Strawberries are considered a good healthy snack for dogs to consume. You should feel free, if your dog enjoys their taste, to safely add these berries to meals or hand them out as the occasional treat. Join us below to learn more about the appropriate serving sizes, the health benefits, and great ways to serve them to your pup.

The Health Benefits of Feeding Your Dog Strawberries

Strawberries can actually be beneficial for canines. Not only do they taste wonderful, but these berries boast a high fiber content, as well as essential vitamins and minerals. Strawberries are a fabulous alternative for high-calorie treats, which is important when you’re looking for low-calorie foods for your overweight pooch.

Great Source of Vitamins, Antioxidants, and Micronutrients For Their Immune System

Strawberries contain B vitamins, Vitamin C, folic acid, manganese, and magnesium to help lift your pups immune system. This is a great way to keep them feeling happy and healthy. Additionally, antioxidants further increase the health benefits of strawberries by fighting free radicals and supporting the overall health of your pup.
dog strawberries ©istockphoto/mraoraor

Good For Digestion

Strawberries promote healthy digestion in dogs thanks to their high content of water and fiber. This makes them a great way to stay hydrated and keep them regular. Just be sure to not overdo it. Too much could potentially cause an upset stomach and wet stool.

Strawberries Can Be Good For Your Dog’s Teeth

Strawberries naturally contain a teeth whitening enzyme. If you combine this enzyme with the impact of the vitamins and antioxidants, you have a recipe for increased oral health for your dog.

Serving Sizes: Use the 10 Percent Rule For Dogs and Strawberries

It’s probably not wise to give your dogs more than a few strawberries a day. Another popular way to think about treats, even if low in calories, is that they should never exceed 10% of a dog’s total calories for the day.

Risks to Giving Your Dog Strawberries?

As long as you don’t overdo it, there shouldn’t be any reason to worry. However, there is a chance that your dog may be allergic to strawberries. If this is the first time giving your dog strawberries, start by giving him just one to test out his reaction. If there are no signs of an allergic reaction, you can give him a couple more. But if you notice any swelling, coughing, sneezing, skin rash or difficulty breathing, take your pet to the vet immediately.

Naturally High in Sugar

As we’ve discussed in other articles about sweets and fruit for dogs, sugar content can always be a risk. Too much might make a dog feel sick, cause diabetic reactions, and cause weight gain.

Possible Allergic Reaction

As long as you don’t overdo it, there shouldn’t be any reason to worry. However, there is a chance that your dog may be allergic to strawberries. If this is the first time giving your dog strawberries, start by giving him just one to test out his reaction. If there are no signs of an allergic reaction, you can give him a couple more. But if you notice any swelling, coughing, sneezing, skin rash or difficulty breathing, take your pet to the vet immediately.

Avoid Canned Strawberries: High in Sugar and Potentially Contain Xylitol

Stay away from canned strawberries as some contain canning ingredients that could be potentially toxic to dogs such as xylitol (a sweetener found in many processed foods). Canned Strawberries also often are soaked in sugar syrups to help the preservation process in a can. You should also skip strawberries in strawberry-flavored foods, such as yogurt, ice cream, or jams.

Fun ways to serve strawberries to your dog

frozen strawberry Before you offer your pooch these berries, remove the stems. For smaller dogs, slice them into smaller pieces or mash them to avoid a potential choking situation. If you’re not serving them raw to your pet, choose frozen or dehydrated strawberries. It’s important to note that dried strawberries pack a powerful punch in smaller servings, so give your pooch a tiny bit at a time. Strawberries make a fantastic ingredient for homemade dog treats, as they add flavor to dog cookies and infuse treats with beneficial nutrients. In case you need some ideas, here are some of our dog treat recipes that include strawberries.

Frozen Berry Treat Recipe

For easy and healthy treats you can pull together in a matter of minutes, try our Frozen Berry Treat recipe. Just mix, pour and freeze—it doesn't get much easier than that. And you can substitute your dog’s favorite summer fruit into the mix—try it with strawberries or watermelon.

Very Berry Smoothie for Dogs

They sure taste good, and they can pack a punch of protein and energy in every sip. That’s what we were thinking with the Very Berry Smoothie for Dogs. Featuring a bounty of summer delights (strawberries and blueberries), plain yogurt and The Honest Kitchen’s Instant Goat’s Milk, this cool drink will have your dog panting for more!

Honest Kitchen’s Red, White, and Blue Frozen Pet Treats

Blueberries, strawberries, yogurt, and The Honest Kitchen's Instant Goat's Milk are combined for the ultimate patriotic pup treat.

Peanut Butter & Jelly Pupsicles

Everything in this delectable frozen treat is safe and healthy for your pet in appropriate portions.

Strawberry Sensation Dog Treats

These sweet berries pack a tasty and healthy punch for dogs. And that’s why they’re the star of our Strawberry Sensation Dog Treat Recipe. Also added into the mix: a banana and The Honest Kitchen’s Perfect Form herbal supplement to give these cookies a bonus boost for your dog’s digestive system.

Licks & Love Stuffed Kong Recipe

With just a couple ingredients, this simple recipe is the perfect way to engage bored dogs looking for entertainment.

Strawberry ‘Dogaritas’

Complete with our Instant Goat’s Milk, this ‘dogarita’ will leave your pup feeling good, sans the hangover you might be experiencing the next day!

Amy Tokic

Amy Tokic is the Editor of Petguide.com, the flagship site to over 70 different pet communities, which offers pet parents a one-stop-info-shop for all things dog and cat related. Amy's been with PetGuide since the beginning, guided by the wisdom of her Shih Tzu mix and furry roommate, Oscar. Together, this pet power couple has their paw on the pulse of the pet industry, sniffing out trends, advice, news, tasty treat recipes and other tail-wagging stories.
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