Summer is upon us. With this season coming, a lot of delicious fruits become accessible. On top of that list come strawberries. While they can be great fruits for us humans, what about dogs? Can dogs eat strawberries? Let’s find out!
Is It Okay for Dogs to Eat Strawberries?
The short version of the answer is yes, it’s generally safe for dogs to eat strawberries. Strawberries don’t have any substance that can be toxic or harmful to your dog. So, your dog is allowed to enjoy strawberries, but only in moderation. That’s because strawberries contain sugar.
While sugar isn’t toxic per se, it can have a couple of undesirable effects.
The Downsides of Dogs Eating Strawberries
The downsides of eating strawberries boil down to their sugar content and the choking hazard they present.
Too Much Sugar
There are two unwanted effects sugar can have on your dog: weight gain and stomach upset.
As far as weight gain goes, eating too much sugar can make dogs fatter, just like it does with humans. Regarding stomach upset, there’s a bit of science to it.
Much like yourself, your dog has a set of beneficial bacteria in its stomach. These bacteria are good as long as they’re in balance. Sugar, however, messes with this balance. Thus, eating too much sugar can cause your dog some stomach discomfort, which may even lead to diarrhea and vomiting.
A Choking Hazard
Aside from sugar, and just like many foods, strawberries can be a choking hazard. That’s especially the case if your dog is a small puppy. To shield against choking, make sure to rinse the strawberries thoroughly. Then, cut off the stem. After that, trim the fruit into smaller bits, depending on the size of your dog.
The Benefits of Dogs Eating Strawberries
Strawberries contain many nutrients that can benefit you and your dog alike. Let’s see how!
Strawberries Pack Necessary Vitamins
Strawberries are a powerhouse of vitamins, especially vitamin C, which is an important antioxidant.
Like other antioxidants, vitamin C serves to keep free radicals in check. These radicals are molecules that, if unopposed, can cause a number of diseases to your dog.
Strawberries also have other vitamins and minerals, such as:
- Vitamin B9
- Manganese
- Potassium
- Iron and copper
Strawberries Have a High Fiber Content
Strawberries contain a fair amount of fibers. These nutrients don’t have nearly as much attention as other elements of dogs’ diet. However, fibers are now gaining popularity, thanks to their role in the management of different digestive conditions.
Fibers help smooth out the digestion process. That’s why it’s beneficial in cases of diarrhea and constipation. From this, we conclude that if your dog ate too many strawberries, the sugar will mess with his digestive tract. If the amount was moderate, however, strawberries may have the opposite effect and make digestion easier
How to serve strawberries to your dog
While chopped strawberries make a tasty addition to your dogs bowl of food, here are a few of our favorite dog treat recipes that use strawberries!
Final Words
Strawberries can be great treats for your dog. Not only this, but they also have a score of benefits. That can be attributed to their fiber content, and also the number of vitamins and minerals they pack.
While it’s okay for you to share strawberries with your dog, you need to keep an eye on the amount. If your dog eats too many of these fruits, he can get stomach upset or gain weight. That’s because of the sugar, of course.
Aside from that, your dog should be able to enjoy these juicy treats with no problems!