It’s hard to resist your cat’s cute and longing eyes as you eat cold and yummy treats.
Most fruit is suitable for your furry feline.
But other fruits like grapes and cherries are toxic and lead to serious health issues, such as kidney disease.
So, the question remains, “Can cats eat strawberries?”
If so, how many can they eat?
What type of strawberry food is okay for your cat to eat?
What are the risks?
As an owner of three happy and healthy cats, I’ll discuss everything you need to know about cats and strawberries.
Can Cats Eat Strawberries?
Strawberries have phenomenal health benefits as they are a high source of fiber and protein.
Strawberries are packed with essential vitamins like vitamin C and magnesium.
These vitamins are pivotal for the function of the human brain.
Strawberries hold high nutritional value to humans.
But can cats eat strawberries?
Yes.
Strawberries are not toxic to cats.
However, a cat’s digestive system does not work the same as humans and dogs.
You must take extra precautions as they may be allergic and only feed them small amounts.
Can Cats Eat Strawberry Leaves?
When feeding your feline companion strawberries, ensure you cut the stem and leaves off.
Stems and leaves will cause gastrointestinal obstruction in your cat.
Wash and remove the strawberry leaves and stem to avoid vomiting and lethargy in your cat.
It’s also a good idea to pay attention to your cat’s behavior, as they may be allergic to the juicy red fruit.
Can Cats Eat Strawberry Yogurt?
Strawberries are safe for cats to eat in small doses and under a watchful eye.
But strawberry-flavored items like yogurt may not be the best idea.
Yogurt contains high sugar levels.
This makes it unhealthy for your cat and difficult for them to digest.
Most yogurts contain additives and the ingredient xylitol.
Xylitol is highly toxic to your furry friend.
But not all yogurt is terrible.
Plain yogurt is safer.
It also does not contain sugar or other unhealthy additives that will make them sick.
Look for plain, non-fat yogurt as a fun snack to introduce your cat to eat.
Can Cats Eat Strawberry Ice Cream?
Strawberry ice cream is primarily safe for cats, as it is cold, creamy, and has a high carb content.
Most ice creams contain xylitol.
You must avoid feeding your cat xylitol at all costs as it will make them very sick.
Ensure you are only giving your cat a taste.
Too much cream or dairy product will cause diarrhea, vomiting, and bloating in cats.
Try lactose-free plain vanilla first to avoid a harsh reaction to this food group.
Are Strawberries Good for Cats?
Strawberries are suitable for cats in moderation.
Unlike humans, strawberries hold very little – if any – nutritional value for cats.
Strawberries are safe to eat occasionally, so you should not make these berries a food routine.
For your cat to feel any benefits from strawberries, they need to consume a fair amount.
But feeding your cat more than one strawberry at a time may not be the best idea.
Are Strawberries Bad for Cats?
Strawberries are not bad for cats.
But if your cat is overweight or diabetic, it is best to avoid these succulent summer treats altogether.
Potentially, the worst result of your cat eating strawberries is if you make it a daily food group.
Strawberries contain a lot of sugar.
They will only raise their blood sugar levels and cause diabetes and sugar problems.
Potential Risks
Due to the high natural sugar count in strawberries, feeding them to your cat daily may cause potential health risks such as:
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Allergic reactions
- Tooth decay or bad breath
- Urinary tract infections
- Upset stomach
In any case, ensure that when feeding your cat strawberries, it is never more than a couple of berries at a time.
Small doses of strawberries occasionally will not hurt your loving companion.
Should Cats Eat Strawberries?
Strawberries hold great nutritional value to humans, but not so much for cats.
As cats are mainly carnivores, it is best to stick with meat and meaty treats for their health and survival.
Should cats eat strawberries?
It won’t be a bad idea, and no harm will come to your feline friend.
Just make sure you are only providing strawberries as a snack once in a while.
The long-term effects of strawberries will cause diabetes, possibly becoming prone to UTIs.
Instead, you can choose healthier snacks such as celery, pumpkin, and spinach.
Do Cats Like Strawberries?
It is hard to tell whether cats like anything, especially when it comes to sweets.
Humans have 9,000+ taste buds, whereas cats only have about 500.
Scientifically speaking, cats cannot taste sweets due to having little to no sweet taste receptors.
So, why does your cat seem interested in the sugary treats you eat?
Their sense of smell is remarkable, which is most likely why they always want what you’re having – it smells too good!
So, don’t feel bad for not giving your cat a sugary snack.
You could ease your mind now that you know their taste buds are indifferent to sugar and sweets.
Do Cats Like the Smell of Strawberries?
Sweet fruits such as watermelon, peach, and strawberries attract cats.
It may be because they smell like catnip.
While strawberries will not get your cat “high,” they come from the Rosaceae (rose family) of plants with similar properties to the mint family.
So, don’t be surprised if your cat acts a little hyper after tasting this sugary fruit.
How Much Strawberry Can a Cat Eat?
No treat – cat treat or human food – should override your cat’s main diet, which is less than 10% of their daily intake.
Experts advise that your cat should only have half a strawberry per day.
Though this is only a taste, feeding your cats strawberries is not recommended daily.
If your cat likes strawberries, the best idea is to find treats that contain small amounts of strawberries.
Cat treats are designed to feed your cats with nutritional needs.
How To Serve Your Cat Strawberries
While there is no need to go out of your way to feed your cat strawberries as it provides no nutritional value to your pet.
Cats do not crave sugary sweets.
However, to curb their curiosity, half a strawberry a day will not harm your cat or cause immediate side effects.
If your cat likes your nutritional berry, you can safely prepare and feed half a strawberry to your feline companion by following the provided steps.
Check With Your Vet First
Most cat owners feed their cats strawberries after learning they are safe and non-toxic.
Nevertheless, if you are unsure about anything you’re willing to feed your cat, a veterinarian will answer any questions you may have.
A vet will guide you through what to do if your cat has a bad or allergic reaction.
They can also give you expert advice on how much to feed based on your cat’s health and weight.
Wash Strawberries
Ensure you wash strawberries thoroughly in a strainer before and after you cut them up.
It’s best to only feed your cat raw strawberries.
It could be unsafe for your cat to ingest synthetic strawberry flavors, such as those found in juice and jam.
Remove Stems and Leaves
Take special precautions in removing stems and leaves.
If your cat ingests the stem or leaves, they may get sick or become lethargic due to their sensitive digestion system.
Leaves and stems also have sharp edges that may cause irritation and itchiness to your cat’s throat, nose, and mouth.
Cut Into Small Pieces
After washing and removing stems and leaves from the strawberry, ensure you cut the berry into small-sized pieces large enough for a cat.
Think of how big Temptation treats are, and you have your perfect size.
It’s also a good idea to drain strawberry juice and other liquids excreting from the berries in a small strainer before serving it to your cat in a small dish.
Wrapping Up
So, can cats eat strawberries?
strawberries are safe for cats to eat, although most of the time, cats will likely smell the fruit and walk away.
Remember that moderation is critical if your cat doesn’t turn their nose to this succulent berry.
Only half a strawberry per day is safe for your feline friend, though it is not recommended you make strawberries a feeding routine.
Since cats cannot taste sugary food items, they’re likely interested because it’s what you’re eating, and they smell so good (like catnip).
In case of an allergic reaction, monitor your cat closely after introducing them to new foods.
And keep your vet number on speed dial for immediate assistance.
If any questions arise during this article, feel free to post a comment.
