Has your pup, too, looked at you with those lethally cute eyes full of longing just as you were about to bite into a juicy strawberry? Can dogs eat strawberries? — you must have wondered. Well, we are here to answer all your dog nutrition-related questions.
The truth is, strawberries are great for dogs, but in moderation. They’re a good snack that you can share with your pup without any fear. But like all treats, the strawberries you give your dog should not exceed 10% of your dog’s whole meal. Use it only as a snack or a meal topper, not as a full meal. You should also be careful when serving strawberries to your dog for the first time because some pups may have a reaction to them. To know more about whether dogs can eat strawberries, read on!
Health Benefits of Strawberries
Strawberries are jam-packed with antioxidants that help protect cells from free radical damage. They are not only tart and tasty, but strawberries also contain a number of amazing vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, vitamin B-1, vitamin B-6, vitamin K, magnesium, folic acid, iodine, and potassium, which help with immunity. The high fibre content as well as the omega-3 acid present in it also promote good digestion and a healthy coat.
What Could Go Wrong?
As with everything, moderation is the key when it comes to feeding your dogs strawberries. They’re a sweet fruit, so the sugar content is high, and sugar, as we know, is bad for dogs. Make sure that you do not give strawberries to dogs with diabetes, excess weight issues, or sugar sensitivities.
When you’re introducing strawberries to your pets for the first time, give them a little bit and observe them. Talk to your vet if they have any of the following reactions —
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Their appetite decreases.
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They feel overtly tired or fatigued.
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They start acting depressed or uncomfortable.
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They start gulping frequently or licking their lips, the air or other objects incessantly.
In case of more severe reactions, such as excessive diarrhoea, vomiting, blood in their vomit or stool, extreme weakness or collapse, take them to the vet immediately. They may be severely allergic.
How to Prepare Strawberries Before Giving Them to Your Dog?
Before you give your dog strawberries, make sure you prep them well —
Clean: Even fresh fruits can have a lot of dirt and chemicals on them, so make sure that you wash them thoroughly before feeding your dog. Chemicals can be very harmful for dogs and cause various issues like vomiting and diarrhoea.
De-stem: The stem and leaves can upset the dog’s stomach, although they aren’t strictly toxic. They are also bitter, so you should de-stem strawberries before giving them to dogs to make them more palatable.
Cut: Uncut strawberries could be a choking hazard, especially for smaller dogs. When giving your dog strawberries, it is best to cut them into ¼ inch pieces to make it easier for them to swallow.

How to Serve Strawberries to Your Dog?
You can give your dog strawberries in a few different ways -
Fresh: Dogs often enjoy fresh fruits because of their crunchy and refreshing texture, so you can feed them fresh strawberries as a snack or a treat. This way, you can just share some from your own bowl, without any prior prep.
Frozen: You can freeze some cut-up strawberries and serve them to your dog like an icy treat. This is especially great for summers or when the day is hot and their appetite is low.
Puree: In the mashed or puree form, you can get more creative with a strawberry treat. Add the strawberry puree to their meal as a topper, freeze it into cubes and serve it, or you can even use the puree to fill up treat dispensers or lick mats.
How Many Strawberries Can a Dog Eat?
Generally speaking, dogs shouldn’t be eating too many strawberries. However, here’s a basic guide to the amount of strawberries your dog can eat in a day —
Extra-small dog (1–10 kg): 1–2 slices
Small dog (10–15 kg): 2–3 slices
Medium-sized dog (15–20 kg): 5–6 slices
Large dog (20–40 kg): Handful of slices
Extra-large dog (40+ kg): Large handful of slices

Strawberries Aside, What Berries Can Dogs Eat?
Blueberries: If you’re looking for a low-sugar, low-calorie berry to give to your dog, blueberries are a great option. Not only are they rich in antioxidants, they’re also small and crunchy, making for a great treat, especially when frozen and served during the summers. But always remember, moderation is the key. To know more about blueberries as a doggy snack, you can read our blog, Can dogs eat blueberries?
Blackberries: This berry is packed with goodness that can help both dogs and their humans. Blackberries contain fibre, which is great for digestion, and an antioxidant called anthocyanins. They’re also full of vitamins, such as vitamins A, B, C, E and K.
Raspberries: Like most berries, raspberries also aid in digestion because of their fibre content. They’re also a good source of vitamins, such as B complex vitamins, vitamin C, and vitamin K. Minerals like potassium, manganese, folic acid, copper, iron and magnesium are also found abundantly in raspberries. However, feed raspberries to dogs in very small quantities because they also contain xylitol, which can be toxic to dogs.
What berries should not be fed to dogs?
Wildberries: When out for walks, your dog may sniff around berry patches that contain berries that you do not recognise. Make sure they don’t eat any of it. They might contain substances that are toxic to dogs or pits that may cause them discomfort or internal injury.
Grapes: Grapes are not good for dogs, so it is best to keep them out of their reach. Reactions to grapes can be as deadly as kidney failure, so be careful when you have grapes at home or are eating in front of your pup.
Hopefully, your question - Can dogs eat a strawberry? - has been answered. Berries essentially can be a nice snack option for dogs, even if they are slightly sweet. They’re definitely better than highly-processed commercial treats that are filled with added sugar and starch.

If you’re looking for healthy, protein-rich treats, however, you can check out our range of chicken jerky treats. They have zero preservatives, zero sugar, and are packed with nutrients.
Looking to explore more healthy treats and care tips for your furry friend? Check out our other guides like Can Dogs Eat Apples?, Can Dogs Eat Blueberries?, Dog Food for Weight Loss, Raw v/s cooked meat for dogs, Home Remedies to cure tick fever, Natural Dog Food, How many times should I feed my dog?, Things you should do to keep your pet healthy, Types of Dog Food, Can Dogs Eat Mango, How to find Good Dog Food in India?, Why Do Dogs Licks You?, How Many Times to Feed a Dog?, Dog Diet Nutrition guide, Dog gut Health, and How Prebiotics and Probiotics can improves your dogs digestion. Each guide is designed to help you make better food choices for your dog because a happy dog starts with the right diet.
Resources:
https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-strawberries
https://www.purina.com/articles/dog/feeding/can-dogs-eat/strawberries
https://www.purina.com/articles/dog/feeding/can-dogs-eat/berries
https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/what-fruits-can-dogs-eat
https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/diet-and-lifestyle/berries-for-dogs/