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Can a dog eat strawberries? About dogs and fruit
Can a dog eat strawberries? About dogs and fruit
Date: February 7, 2024 (Updated: November 25, 2024) Category: Blog, Living with a dog,
Strawberries freshly picked from the field have an amazing taste and aroma. In addition, this delicious and tempting-smelling delicacy is very healthy. It's common knowledge that we're not alone in our preference for these juicy fruits: many dogs, like most people, enjoy strawberries. However, remembering that some foods are well tolerated and healthy for dogs, others are difficult to digest or even poisonous, the question arises: what about aromatic strawberries? Can a dog eat strawberries or should they be kept out of his reach?
Strawberries are extremely popular, primarily due to their taste and aromatic properties. In addition, they are a treasure trove of vitamins and numerous nutrients. They contain very valuable vitamins, minerals and fiber. They are rich in antioxidants and plant compounds. Moreover, they are low-calorie, with only about 100 calories per 30 g. And although research confirms the beneficial effects of strawberries on health, it is their taste that is the biggest magnet. Many people cannot imagine a situation in which these fruits could not be on their plate during the season. But does this also apply to dogs' diets? The answer is - as long as we treat strawberries as a snack, a kind of reward or a special dessert, and if we exercise moderation and caution when dosing - strawberries can be a tasty and healthy addition to our pet's diet. They are a great addition to the main meal and are lower in calories than, for example, carrots or bananas.
Strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin C, B9, potassium, phosphorus, manganese and magnesium. These vitamins and minerals support important processes in the dog's body, including the biosynthesis of collagen, influence the absorption of iron, have anti-inflammatory and soothing properties and shorten the duration of some diseases, in particular diseases of the upper respiratory tract. Strawberries have a positive effect on the heart and blood sugar levels. The antioxidants contained in strawberries neutralize free radicals that are harmful to health, thus preventing cancer, they also prevent, among others, the development of cardiovascular diseases and take part in protecting the dog's body against bacteria and viruses. Strawberries also contain a large portion of fiber, which has a beneficial effect on intestinal peristalsis, supports digestion, and provides the dog with a feeling of satiety between meals, helping to maintain proper body weight. Another ingredient - folic acid (vitamin B9) has important functions, including reducing the risk of heart disease, supporting cell growth and renewal, influencing the growth of red blood cells and chemicals that affect well-being and memory.
What strawberries can you feed your dog?
In general, a dog's diet can be diversified with all varieties of strawberries. In our country, the following varieties are very popular: Polka, Kent, Grandarosa and Senga Sengana. If the fruit does not come from your own garden, it is worth looking for unsprayed strawberries in a supermarket or health food store. Otherwise, it is necessary to wash them well before eating to get rid of potential contaminants. When buying strawberries in a foil package, unwrap them and use them as soon as possible. Bearing in mind that delicate strawberries are particularly susceptible to gray mold and other fungal plant diseases, you should only choose fruits that are ripe, firm and undamaged. After removing the stalks, strawberries can be served as a snack or added to food, preferably unprocessed (without cooking). Only in this way will the fruit maintain a high concentration of valuable vitamins and other nutrients.
How many strawberries can a dog eat?
In the case of strawberries, the portioning is the same as in the case of many other fruits and vegetables tolerated by dogs. Portions depend primarily on the size, weight and health of your pet. It is worth gradually enriching meals and observing how much strawberries are well tolerated by your four-legged friend. According to the indications, fruit should not play a large role in the dog's diet. Their consumption should not exceed 5% of the products consumed. Therefore, the daily portion of fruit for a dog weighing about 20 kg should not exceed 20 - 30 g. You can easily calculate the individual portion for your dog yourself. To avoid an overdose of fruit, it is recommended to feed no more than 1 g of strawberries per 1 kg of your pet's body weight per day.
Remember! How many strawberries your dog can eat depends primarily on its size, weight and health condition!
Even though strawberries are easily digestible and the sugar content in raw fruit is extremely low (4,9 g in 100 g), it may happen that your dog will not tolerate them very well. Therefore, it is important to be careful when serving strawberries. If unpleasant symptoms appear after eating these fruits: flatulence, abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, itchy skin lesions, itchy skin and eyes, they should be eliminated from the dog's diet. Symptoms may indicate, among others, an allergy to fruit, food intolerance or a reaction to the presence of pesticides. Disturbing symptoms should be reported during a check-up visit to the vet. As for puppies, they can also eat strawberries. However, in order to minimize the rebellion of the sensitive digestive system, it is advisable to give only a small amount of fruit at the beginning.
How to introduce strawberries into your dog's diet?
Let's treat strawberries as a delicacy, reward or dessert, while maintaining moderation and common sense regarding the amount served. Small dogs should be given fruit cut into small pieces to avoid choking. Large dogs can eat the whole strawberry. Strawberries should be served raw or frozen. The classic way is simply a ripe, raw strawberry served without the stalk. Cut into pieces, it can also be added to food. Strawberries can also be thrown into a blender and served as a mousse. A good idea on hot days is to puree strawberries and then freeze them into cubes. This delicious treat can be given to your dog for refreshment. It is worth remembering not to prepare desserts with sugar, cream or baked goods for your pet.
Can a dog eat strawberries? Summary
Strawberries are a healthy and delicious snack that can diversify your dog's daily menu (especially during the strawberry season). Strawberries are a real vitamin bomb, containing many other nutrients (minerals, antioxidants, secondary plant substances, fiber) that have a beneficial effect on your pet's health and well-being. Even though strawberries are easily digestible and low-calorie, before introducing them to your four-legged friend's diet, it is worth remembering a few rules. First of all, we diversify the diet in a gradual, prudent way, taking into account the size, age and health of the pet. It is best to initially give him a small amount of strawberries a day and then gradually increase the amount each day.
It is very important to observe your dog's reaction to a new fruit in the diet. If you notice any disturbing symptoms, stop feeding strawberries immediately and consult your veterinarian. It is best to give your dog strawberries from your own or proven crops, otherwise the fruit should be washed thoroughly before eating. Strawberries should be fresh, ripe, without damage or mold. They can be served directly as fruit (whole or cut), as a dessert (frozen, blended) or added to food. Many dogs also like to eat strawberries straight from the bush. If you have a garden or balcony, you can easily grow treats for your four-legged friend yourself. Then we can be sure that the strawberries are the healthiest and tastiest.
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