Living with one or more dogs at home is a responsibility that cannot be assumed by anyone. Its adoption implies a series of obligations and essential care for the welfare of the animal, among which its diet, which is based on an intake of proteins of animal origin and a consumption to a lesser extent of vegetables and fruits such as strawberries, as well as certain cereals that complement their diet by providing minerals, vitamins and fiber.
Strawberries, a fruit commonly consumed in the human diet, are also usually provided to dogs. But can they really eat them? You have probably given your little furry friend on more than one occasion without knowing what it means for a dog to eat strawberries. To find out if dogs can eat strawberries, what are their benefits, how to give them and the main contraindications of this fruit for the doggy organism, in a we recommend that you continue reading this article.
Can dogs eat strawberries or not?
Dogs can eat strawberries without posing a risk to their health. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) [1], strawberries are not toxic fruits for dogs, and they can eat them without any problem as long as they like them.
However, keep in mind that the strawberry, as with other fruits, is rich in sugars. Therefore, you should offer it moderately to your little furry. It is not advisable for fruits to exceed 15% of the complete canine diet.
In addition, since dogs can eat a wide variety of fruits, in one we recommend that you offer different foods every day. Therefore, avoid giving strawberries every day, so that you provide different fruits and your body can obtain the benefits of consuming each of them.
Benefits of strawberries for dogs
Strawberries bring many benefits for dogs. It is a low-calorie fruit, since every 100 grams contain only 32 kcal. It is not one of the fruits with higher amounts of sugars, so it is one of the most suitable for these animals: every 100 grams, they provide 7.5 grams of sugars.
90% of the composition of strawberries is water, so they are perfect to contribute to a good hydration of your dog, especially on the hottest days. Other properties and benefits of this fruit for dogs are as follows:
- They provide vitamin B1, which is responsible for transforming carbohydrates into energy.
- They contain vitamin B6, a fundamental element for the creation of red blood cells.
- They provide vitamin C, which contains antioxidant properties.
- They provide vitamin K, which contributes to the strengthening of bones.
- Strawberries are rich in fiber, so they help regulate intestinal transit.
- They contribute to the delay of aging by promoting cell regeneration.
- They provide different minerals such as copper and magnesium.
- Its consumption improves the immune system.
How to give strawberries to my dog
Knowing the properties and benefits of strawberry consumption for dogs, it is important that you know the best way to give them:
- Buy fresh fruit and wash it very well. Discard any dark or bruised parts. From OneHowTo we teach you How to disinfect strawberries.
- Then, remove the leaves found at the top, as they are bitter and will not like your little furry.
- Later, cut the strawberries into small pieces and you can give them to them. As you can see, it is a very simple procedure.
Regarding the number of strawberries that a dog should eat, the percentage occupied by fruits and vegetables in their total diet is 15%. Depending on the diet of the animal, its age, size and activity level, you can give it more or less strawberries.
In any case, it is important that you introduce fresh and any other new food gradually, observing your dog’s reaction when he eats them to check that he is not intolerant or allergic to this fruit.
Remember that fruits such as strawberries are a natural snack that should be given in moderation to dogs. In addition, you should always vary strawberries with other fruits recommended for dogs such as banana or mango.
Contraindications of strawberries for dogs
Despite the great benefits that strawberries bring to dogs, there are some contraindications that you should take into account. They are as follows:
- Do not give abusive amounts of strawberries or offer them in the form of juice. Regardless of whether it is packaged or homemade, sugar concentrations are much higher and are harmful to your little furry.
- Never give stuffed or chocolate-covered strawberries to your dog. Chocolate contains theobromine, an alkaloid that the canine body metabolizes slowly and that can cause health problems.
Now that you know if dogs can eat strawberries, we recommend that you find out if dogs can eat lemon or if dogs can eat blueberries.
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