Yes, dogs can eat strawberries, and they make a lovely healthy treat. Low in calories and rich in fibre, vitamin C, and antioxidants, a strawberry is a wholesome, refreshing snack that many dogs enjoy, especially on a warm day. As with all fruit, the main thing to keep an eye on is the natural sugar, which means strawberries are a moderation treat rather than something to hand over by the punnet.
Why strawberries are a good treat
Strawberries earn their place as a dog snack because they combine being genuinely healthy with being low in calories, which is a useful pairing.
They are low in fat and calories while providing fibre that supports digestion, vitamin C, and antioxidants, so they are a nourishing treat rather than empty calories. Their soft, juicy texture makes them easy for most dogs to eat, and cut small they work well as low-calorie rewards. A chilled or frozen strawberry can also be a nice cooling treat when it is warm. All of this makes strawberries one of the better wholesome fruits to share, in the same family of healthy treats as blueberries and apple, giving you a way to reward your dog without much calorie cost.
How to serve strawberries
Serving strawberries is easy, with a couple of simple steps to make them safe.
Wash the strawberries, remove the green leafy tops, and cut them into pieces suited to your dog’s size to avoid any choking risk, or mash them for very small dogs. Serve them fresh and plain. Avoid tinned strawberries in syrup, strawberry jam, strawberry-flavoured foods, and anything sweetened or chocolate-coated, since these are loaded with sugar and sometimes contain other ingredients that are bad for dogs. Fresh, plain strawberry is all your dog wants, and it can be offered as whole small pieces, mashed into food, or frozen for a summer treat.
Keep it in moderation
The one real consideration with strawberries is the amount, because of their natural sugar.
Strawberries are sweet, and while that sugar is fine in small amounts, too much fruit at once can cause a stomach upset and adds calories, so strawberries should be an occasional treat in modest portions rather than a large regular helping. A couple of strawberries for a big dog or a piece or two for a small one is the right kind of amount, counted within the roughly one-tenth of daily food that treats should make up. Dogs that are overweight or diabetic should have fruit especially sparingly, and it is worth a word with your vet if your dog has a condition affecting its diet.
So, can dogs eat strawberries? Yes, as a healthy, low-calorie, vitamin-rich treat that many dogs love, provided you wash them, remove the leafy tops, cut them to a safe size, and keep the amount modest because of the sugar. They are one of the nicer wholesome fruits to share. For the fuller picture of dog-safe and dog-dangerous foods, see our guide to safe and toxic foods for dogs.
Common questions
- Are strawberries good for dogs?
- Yes, in moderation. Strawberries are low in calories and provide fibre, vitamin C, and antioxidants, so they make a wholesome treat. They do contain natural sugar, though, so they should be an occasional snack rather than a regular large helping, especially for overweight or diabetic dogs.
- How should I serve strawberries to my dog?
- Wash them, remove the green leafy tops, and cut them into pieces sized for your dog to avoid any choking risk, or mash them for small dogs. Serve them fresh and plain, and avoid tinned strawberries in syrup, strawberry-flavoured products, or anything sweetened, which bring in far too much sugar.
- How many strawberries can a dog eat?
- A small amount as a treat, a couple of strawberries for a large dog or a piece or two for a small one, kept within the roughly one-tenth of daily food that treats should occupy. Too many at once can cause a mild stomach upset because of the sugar and fibre, so moderation is the rule.
