Strawberries are sweet, red fruits that come in many shapes and sizes. They can be enjoyed on their own or prepared into a variety of desserts.
Although strawberries are delicious to eat, the question remains: Can cats eat strawberries? The answer is yes!
Strawberries have several health benefits for your cat, so go ahead and give them a taste. However, there are some precautions you should take before feeding your feline friend this fruit.
Read on to learn more about whether or not cats can eat strawberries as well as what the health benefits are if they do partake in this tasty treat.
1. What Are The Nutritional Benefits to Feeding Your Cat Strawberries?
Cats can benefit from eating strawberries due to the high nutritional value of this fruit. Strawberries are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, fiber, calcium, iron and potassium.
This makes strawberries a healthy treat for cats that provide them with energy and essential nutrients for their bodies.
2. How Can I Prepare Strawberries For My Cat?
Because strawberries are a fruit, they taste best when eaten fresh. However, if your cat doesn’t seem to be a fan of the fruit on its own, there are other ways you can prepare them for consumption.
One option is to mash two or three strawberries and mix it in with your cat’s favorite wet food. If your cat does not like eating wet food, another alternative is to mix the strawberries with some yogurt and feed it to them that way.
You could also blend the strawberries into a smoothie for yourself and drink it in front of your cat. When they begin licking their lips in anticipation, you will know that they are ready to try some too.
3. How to Feed Your Cat a Strawberry?
If you have tried all of the methods mentioned above and they still show little to no interest in eating strawberries, there is one more way you can try.
Simply cut a small piece off of the strawberry and offer it to your cat. If they seem uninterested in it at first, continue holding it in front of their nose until they smell the strawberry. Once they take a whiff, they will most likely be driven wild with curiosity and eat it right up.
Although strawberries are an excellent treat for your feline friend, there is one thing you should keep in mind: the stems and leaves of the strawberry plant contain toxins that can be fatal to cats. For this reason, we recommend cutting off the stem before you offer it to your cat.
4. Can Cats Eat Strawberry Shoots?
Yes, like all other parts of the strawberry plant, strawberry shoots contain toxins that can be fatal to cats. As such, we recommend never feeding your cat any part of the strawberry plant that is not already prepared as a food for them.
5. How Much Strawberries Can Cats Eat?
Although strawberries are safe and healthy treats for your feline friend, it is important not to overindulge them in this fruit.
A single serving of strawberries for a cat is about one strawberry and can be given no more than once a day. Overfeeding your cat strawberries can cause gastrointestinal distress and diarrhea, so make sure they don’t eat too many at once.
6. When Should I Avoid Feeding My Cat Strawberries?
Although strawberries are generally safe for cats to eat, some precautions should be taken before feeding your cat this fruit.
The seeds on the strawberries can cause intestinal discomfort if your cat happens to ingest them. This is not harmful and will generally pass through their system without issue.
Additionally, while ripe strawberries are safe for cats, unripe ones contain an alkaloid that makes them poisonous for felines. It is important that you do not feed your cat under- or over-ripe strawberries.
If the strawberries appear moldy, it is best to throw them away and find another healthier snack for your feline friend.
In general, feeding your cat fresh product is a much better alternative than purchasing packaged treats. However, if you are unsure about whether or not your cat can eat strawberries, speak with your veterinarian before introducing this fruit into their diet.
7. Are Strawberries Safe for Cats?
Although strawberries are generally safe for cats to eat, it is always best to speak with your veterinarian before feeding this fruit to them.
Most veterinarians will not have any issues with you giving your cat this fruit as long as they are not allergic or sensitive to it.
If you notice that your cat has an allergic reaction after eating the strawberries (such as diarrhea, vomiting or excessive thirst) than it is best to remove this fruit from their diet and speak with a veterinarian in more depth.
Never feed your cat unripe strawberries and cut off the stems before you offer them to your cat so they do not ingest any of the plant’s toxins.
If you have any concerns about whether or not it is safe for your cat to eat strawberries, make an appointment with your veterinarian.
Conclusion:
Strawberries are a delicious and healthy treat for your cat. As long as you follow the guidelines of feeding them in moderation, they can be a great addition to their diet.
If you have any questions about how much strawberries is too many or if there’s anything else we didn’t cover here please leave us a comment below!
