Dog Tips

Can Dogs Eat Strawberries?

These plump rose-colored treats are the staple fruit for many households. Strawberries are warm weather, heart-shaped sweet fruits that are low in calories and packed tightly with vitamin C. With their high content of antioxidants and absence of cholesterol and sodium, no wonder they’re the nation’s second favorite fruit.

For humans, strawberries provide an abundant source of vitamin C, with eight strawberries containing more vitamin C than a single orange. This is a vitamin responsible for human growth, cell tissue conservation, and iron absorption. They’re chosen as the bottom line in many foods such as smoothies and yogurts, and they’re grown in every state.

With strawberries being so incredibly popular amongst humans, is it safe to assume our dogs feel the same way? More importantly, can dogs eat strawberries without getting sick or causing deadly side effects?

Feeding Strawberries to Your Dog

Luckily, dogs can enjoy strawberries as much as we can. Strawberries are not only safe for dog consumption, but they’re a very healthy snack for them, too. Strawberries are beneficial in a dog’s diet in many ways.

Fiber

Foods that are high in fiber help a dog’s digestive system. Dogs can suffer from constipation among many other digestive issues without a good source of fiber in their diets. Strawberries are packed with fiber content that could help a dog with digestive ailments. For obese dogs on a new diet, fiber content helps reduce the caloric density of their overall diet and helps them feel full so they don’t overeat.

Malic Acid

Strawberries are rich in malic acid, which is safe for dogs and contributes to healthier, whiter teeth. Malic acid is needed in a dog’s body to maintain the cycle by which water and energy are processed. This substance also strengthens the heart and other muscles, improves the immune system, and cleanses the body of heavy metals that target their blood and tissue.

Vitamin C

Vitamins are an important part of a dog’s diet. In particular, vitamin C is an antioxidant that is volatile for a dog’s overall health. It helps rid their body of harmful substances they’re bound to get into and reduce inflammation that comes with aging. Hard-working dogs especially need a bountiful source of vitamin C because stressors are known to cause vitamin C depletion.

Hydration

Just like humans, dogs need water to survive and have a good quality of life. Active dogs are especially susceptible to dehydration without enough water to compensate for their activity. Strawberries are made up of about 92% water. If you begin introducing strawberries as a favorite snack at a young age, your dog may prefer strawberries as an incentive to have a little more water when they become older and incapable or uninterested in drinking. On a hot day or after intense exercise, use pureed strawberries or frozen strawberries to give them a boost of water intake to prevent them from becoming too dehydrated.

How to Feed Your Dog

If your dog has never had strawberries before, it might be a good idea to give them a little at first. Giving them a small number of strawberries at a time will help dog parents notice if they have an allergy or other aversion. If you notice a digestive issue or an allergic reaction, you should stop feeding strawberries to your dog and call the vet. Puppies and small dogs should have their strawberries cut into bite-sized pieces or pureed to reduce the chance of a choking hazard.

Strawberries should always be washed to rinse away any residual dirt or chemicals before feeding, and if there are any stems, they should be removed as well. Strawberries from a can should be avoided since they typically come in packaged syrup and artificial sweeteners that could be dangerous for your dog. Only provide them with fresh, washed, cut strawberries to fully benefit from their nutrients.

What Else Can Your Dog Eat?

Dogs like what they like and will get into anything they find interesting. Knowing what our dogs can and can’t eat is a great way to start keeping them away from dangerous foods and begin feeding them snacks they love and deserve. When we’re enjoying our snacks and they give us those puppy dog eyes, keep in mind what we enjoy might not be nutritionally sound or safe for them to eat. Here are some of the better table foods that won’t cause harm to your dog.

Which Fruits Can Dogs Eat?

Many fruits are healthy and tasty for dogs and serve as nutritional snacks and supplements. Dogs love bananas, and they are incredibly healthy for them. Dogs can have watermelons (and other melons like cantaloupe), apples (without the core), kiwis, oranges (without the peel or seeds), pineapple (chunks), and mango. Fruits like raspberries and blueberries are very healthy for dogs and are dense with antioxidants.

Grapes are extremely toxic and should be avoided entirely in every form. The same goes for sultanas and raisins (since raisins are just dried grapes). Cherries are not considered safe either because their pits and stems could be choking and obstruction hazards. The same can be said for peaches and plums, whose pits not only pose a choking threat but are very toxic as well.

Which Seafood Can Dogs Eat?

Dogs can enjoy seafood without causing problems. If they eat lobster, crab, or other kinds of shellfish, their legs, shells, and other pointy limbs should be removed before consumption. Otherwise, they pose a risk of puncturing a vital organ. Dogs can also eat fin fish, like salmon, shrimp, and some tuna (not canned tuna), as long as their bones are removed.

When eaten raw or undercooked, seafood carries the risk of contracting foodborne illnesses. Seafood should never be served raw.

Which Beans Can Dogs Eat?

Beans are excellent products that have lots of healthy proteins for a dog. Dogs can have black beans, lima beans, and also garbanzo, kidney, pinto, soy, and butter beans. Even though it’s considered a vegetable, dogs can even have green beans! Feeding your dog too many beans could cause them to have an upset stomach caused by gas. Make it easy on them (and yourself) and only give them beans in moderation.

Which Vegetables Can Dogs Eat?

Garlic, onions, and leeks are toxic to your dog. Even seasonings that contain these ingredients could be deadly. Vegetables can be a great source of fiber and vitamins for your dog, so there are some others that you should consider. Dogs can eat pumpkins, carrots, spinach, kale, brussels sprouts, broccoli,  sweet potatoes and many other vegetables instead.

Which Nuts Can Dogs Eat?

Walnuts and macadamia nuts are toxic for your dogs and should be avoided. Many nuts don’t provide nutritional benefits for your dog at all, other than a little potassium or fiber. If they simply must have a nutty snack or a little training incentive, dogs can eat pistachios and peanuts in moderation without posing a threat. Always make sure the healthy nuts they consume are not salted or seasoned, and that they do not have shells on them.

Conclusion

When it comes to healthy choices of table food, there is a lot to look out for to ensure we aren’t unwittingly poisoning our beloved pets. Luckily strawberries can be given to them or snuck off your plate without causing trouble or worry. If you want to bolster their diet with a little more nutritional value, strawberries could be a great addition.

Sources

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