If you’re enjoying delicious strawberries, you might think of sharing a few of them with your cat. But can cats eat strawberries?
Can cats eat strawberries?
The short answer is yes, cats can eat strawberries!
If your cat loves strawberries, it’s not a bad thing. Cats can have strawberries. However, strawberries aren’t part of a complete and balanced diet for felines. A large amount of strawberries can give your cat dietary upsets.
What happens if a cat eats strawberries?
For humans, strawberries offer terrific health benefits. They’re low in calories and filled with powerful antioxidants. They provide important vitamins and minerals such as Vitamins A, B6, and C, as well as Manganese, Folate, Potassium, and Magnesium. Eating strawberries can boost our immune system, nervous system, and even malic acid that can whiten teeth! However, for cats, it’s a different story.
Cats lack the enzymes necessary to digest and absorb nutrients from plants. They only benefit from the dietary fiber found in strawberries. Also, cats don’t have sweet taste receptors, and can’t taste the sweetness of the strawberry like us.
Cats are obligate carnivores
Cats are obligate carnivores. This means their bodies function best with a sole diet of animal proteins, or meat. Their digestive system is designed to process and use the proteins, fats, and acids found in meat.
Cats lack the key enzymes needed to process or absorb the nutrients in plant-based foods. They thrive on nutrients provided by animal flesh and organ meat.
Risks of feeding strawberries to cats
- If your cat is overweight or has diabetes, avoid strawberries because they contain too much sugar. Excessive amounts of sugar can spike your cat’s blood sugar and cause serious health problems.
- High amounts of carbs in strawberries can spell trouble for a cat’s digestive system.
- Strawberry stems can give choking hazards to your cat.
- Strawberries can trigger allergic reactions in some cats, or it may have adverse effects on their appetite.
- Strawberries that are not organically grown (most are not) are loaded with chemical residues from pesticide sprays and others used in the process of growing them. They are harmful for your kitty.
If your cat has eaten a small portion of strawberry and doesn’t seem to be having any problem, there’s no reason to worry. Offering your cat fruits comes with risks and provides no nutritional benefit.
If your kitty appears to be drowsy or showing signs of stomach upsets, you should talk to your vet.
How to serve your cat strawberries
When your cat appears to want a bite of strawberry, here’s the best way to offer them a yummy treat.
- Wash the strawberries to remove any pesticides or fertilizer.
- Remove the stems and leaves. Strawberry leaves and stems may be a choking hazard.
- Cut the strawberries into small kibble-sized pieces and offer one to your cat.
When feeding strawberries, moderation is Key. The recommended serving size for cats is no more than half a strawberry per day. No more than one serving a day. All things considered, treats shouldn’t exceed 10% of your cat’s daily food intake.
Can cats eat strawberries tops?
When giving strawberries to cats, it’s best to cut the stem and leaves off and then feed a small portion of the strawberry to your cat. Tops of strawberries include stems and plants that are very difficult to digest. Consequently, a cat eating the stem can cause gastrointestinal obstruction.
Can a cat eat strawberry yogurt?
Strawberry yogurt is likely to contain a lot of sugar and artificial colors. This sugar is likely to upset your cat’s stomach and cause health problems. Strawberry yogurt may also contain additives which could be harmful to your cat’s health. If you want to give your cat yogurt it should ideally be plain.
Never feed strawberry yogurt to kittens, it can cause digestive issues.
Can cats eat strawberry jam?
While not a good regular part of the diet, a little strawberry jam will not harm your cat. Cats can eat strawberry jam but only when given in moderation.
It’s better to avoid any processed strawberries like strawberry jams, strawberry syrups, or strawberry ice creams. These products can contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener that can be deadly to your cat if ingested.
What fruits are poisonous to cats?
As a responsible feline parent, it is important to know what fruits are toxic for your kitty.
There’re a lot of fruits that your cat should never eat. They include:
- Cherries are toxic to cats
- Grapes and raisins can cause kidney damage
- Citrus fruits like lemons, limes, and grapefruit as well as persimmons can cause an upset stomach
- Avocados
Furthermore, artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives also have negative consequences on your cat’s health.
Also read, can cats eat cheese?
Pro tip: If you are unsure of a specific food that you can feed to your kitty, always seek advice from your vet.
Final thoughts on can cats eat strawberries
The bottom line on can cats eat strawberries:
Strawberries are no doubt delicious and you can safely offer your kitty a small amount. Remember the 10% rule: strawberries should not exceed 10 percent of your cat’s daily calories. Anything more and your cat could develop health issues. Always feed them a diet that meets their nutritional needs.
Always talk to your vet before sharing any human foods with your kitty. Even healthy foods can become unhealthy if given in the wrong amounts. Your vet can give you advice on appropriate serving sizes for cats.
Has your cat ever eaten strawberries? What other foods do you share with your cat instead? Let us know in the comments below!
