Strawberries are one of those fruits that just scream “summer”, aren’t they? We humans love our strawberries, be it chocolate-covered, with champagne, or just fresh from the market. Another thing we humans love is to share our food with our dogs. That goes for fruits like watermelon, bananas, or in this case strawberries. We know that watermelon and bananas are perfectly safe for our dogs, however, can dogs eat strawberries?
Can dogs eat strawberries?
Not all fruits and vegetables are safe for your dog, for example, avocado and grapes are a big NO-NO. Strawberries on the other hand are a whole other story. These little sweet fruits aren’t only delicious, but they packed with powerful nutrients that support your dog’s health! So, the answer to our question is a clear YES! Dogs can eat strawberries!
But what makes strawberries such an healthy snack?
Why strawberries are good for your dog
Just like it’s the case with blueberries, strawberries are full of antioxidants. They are also low in calories and provide dietary fiber which is very important in your dog’s diet.
Besides this strawberries are a great source of vitamin C, and they contain Malic Acid that will make your dog’s teeth white! It’s scientifically proven that all these vitamins and minerals that can be found in strawberries can actually help slow down the aging process of your dog (and you!), boost the immune system, and even promote weight maintenance!
But let’s take a closer look at what makes strawberries such vitamin and nutrients bombs!
Vitamin C: Vitamin C is a very powerful antioxidant! It goes after free-radicals that destroy or alter cells in bodies. Besides this, it also helps reduce inflammation and boosts the immune system! Many also believe that it helps reduce cognitive aging in senior dogs and fight cancer.
Fiber: High fiber and water content of this sweet treat promote healthy digestion by pushing the food through the digestive system. It also assists with weight control and can prevent constipation or diarrhea.
Protein and fats: Strawberries are actually pretty low in protein and fats! This makes them a safe option for dogs that may have kidney failure!
Vitamin B9 or folic acid: Folate is important for DNA synthesis and red blood cell production.
Magnesium: Important for cell energy. Magnesium also promotes healthy bone growth while helping the body use vitamins and minerals more effectively.
Antioxidants: Antioxidants combat the ability of free radicals to damage molecules and cells in your dog’s body brought on by stress, illness, age, environmental toxins, and disease.
Potassium: Supports your dog’s kidneys and heart. It also maintains normal functions of the digestive system and muscle function.
Manganese: This is a micro-mineral that supports the metabolizing of proteins and fatty acids. It also supports energy production and the role of ligament and bone maintenance.
Why you shouldn’t give your dog strawberries
Even though strawberries are vitamin and nutrients bombs, they aren’t good for every dog.
One downside of strawberries is that they are full of sugar (it’s natural, but still sugar). The natural sugars can cause problems if your dog is overweight or has diabetes. So before giving your dog strawberries, please check with your vet if it’s okay.
Another reason why is might not be smart to give your dog strawberries are allergies. Even though this is not a common allergy, it is possible for dogs to be allergic. If your dog has never tried strawberries and you don’t know if he or she is allergic, you can try and give your dog one or two small pieces, but pay close attention to any signs of allergies like coughing, sneezing, difficulty breathing, itching, or hives.
Conclusion
You can see that strawberries are a great fruit to incorporate into your dog’s diet! They are very healthy and can be overall very beneficial to your dog’s health. The best way to feed your dog strawberries is of course to remove the stem and cut them into small bite-sized pieces. However, if you’d like to do something good for your pooch, you can always look up different recipes for strawberry-based treats. Be creative, we’re sure your dog will appreciate it and love you even more!