Can Cats Eat Strawberries

Yes, strawberries are a nutritious treat for dogs.

Updated September 5, 2024

Yes, strawberries are a great source of fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants for cats. In moderation, they are a low-calorie and high-fiber snack that could potentially be good for your cat’s digestive system.

Nutrition facts for cats

Are strawberries good for cats?

“Strawberries are a perfectly safe snack to feed your cat in moderation,” says Dr. Tina Wismer, senior director of the ASPCA Poison Control Center. They’re chock full of fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants. It’s this big nutritional punch packed in low-calorie, super sweet little berries that earned strawberries the title of “superfood.” It’s possible that the high-fiber content helps treat constipation, but there is a lack of research showing a correlation between eating strawberries and good feline gut health.

Can cats eat strawberries?

Yes. But whether you can feed your cat strawberries is a different question than whether you should feed your cat strawberries. Although they’re safe in moderation, strawberries aren’t necessarily the best choice for all cats.

The kicker? Your cat might not even want to eat strawberries. Cats are considered “sweet blind,” meaning they lack the receptors that allow them to taste sugar. Unlike dogs, who are eager to satisfy their sweet tooth with strawberries and other sugary treats, cats may not find strawberries that enticing. That said, some cats are drawn to the texture and juiciness of strawberries — so even if they don’t find them sweet, they might want to indulge.

Cats should not eat strawberries often. Because of their high sugar content, eating too many strawberries can cause a cat to gain weight or potentially lead to diabetes. Exactly how many strawberries your cat should eat depends on your cat’s size, medical history, and food preferences. Generally, cats should eat no more than one half of a strawberry per day. According to veterinarian Dr. McBride Vetter, treats should make up no more than 10 percent of your cat’s daily diet.

Are strawberries completely safe for cats?

Despite being nutritious and delicious, strawberries lack nutrients, such as protein, taurine, and vitamin A that are essential for your cat’s overall health. Strawberries are also high in sugar and carbohydrates, which are difficult for cats to digest. Diabetic and overweight cats should avoid eating strawberries, because the high sugar content can impact insulin levels and put on pounds.

Most cats develop allergies after being repeatedly exposed to food, so it’s unusual for a cat to have an immediate allergic reaction to trying strawberries. That said, your cat can develop a strawberry allergy. Some symptoms to be on the lookout for are a runny nose, diarrhea, swollen eyes, itchy skin, coughing, wheezing, and vomiting.

Additionally, some cats can have intolerance to strawberries even without having an actual allergic reaction. In that case, your cat could suffer from vomiting or diarrhea, regardless of how many times they’ve tried strawberries.

Technically, strawberry stems and leaves are non-toxic to cats. But it’s important to keep in mind that stems and leaves can be very difficult for cats to digest and can cause a gastrointestinal obstruction. Signs of a gastrointestinal obstruction include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, pain, and straining to defecate.

If your cat has eaten many strawberries, it’s important to keep an eye on them for signs of vomiting or diarrhea. If your cat is a senior, diabetic, or might otherwise be sensitive to high sugar content, you should take your cat to the vet to be on the safe side because strawberries can spike their blood sugar.

Stick with fresh strawberries. Canned berries and jams are often packed in sugary syrups, adding excess calories that cats don’t need. Remember, moderation is key.

Other foods that are good for cats

Blueberries: There’s nothing in blueberries that could be harmful to your cat.
Watermelon: This summertime staple is a safe food for cats.
Peaches: Peaches are perfectly safe to feed to your kitty.

Other foods that are not good for cats

Avocado: Their high-fat content makes avocados something to be avoided for your cat.
Cinnamon: Cats lack the enzymes needed to digest cinnamon, so don’t give this spice to your kitty.
Marshmallows: Being a high-fat and sugar food, marshmallows are a no-go for kitties.

The bottom line: Human food for cats

Cats can eat strawberries, but only in moderation. Like all treats, strawberries should only be given to your cat as a supplement to their complete and balanced cat food diet.

FAQs (People also ask)

Is it OK to give strawberries to cats?

Yes, it’s perfectly OK to give strawberries to your cat in moderation.

Are strawberries good for cats?

While strawberries are harmless, they’re also not the best treat for cats, lacking nutrients, such as protein, taurine, and vitamin A that are essential for your cat’s overall health. Because of this, strawberries should only be given to your cat in moderation.

Can cats eat strawberry stems and leaves?

While they are non-toxic to cats, strawberry stems and leaves could cause digestive blockages for your cat, resulting in vomiting and diarrhea.

Can cats eat strawberries?

Yes, cats can eat strawberries. But because of their high sugar content, strawberries should be given to cats only in moderation.

References

Jodi Helmer

Jodi Helmer is a North Carolina-based freelance writer who shares her home with an embarrassing number of rescue dogs and relies on four feral cats to patrol the barn. When she isn’t refilling food and water dishes, Jodi writes about animals for Scientific American, Sierra, WebMD, AKC Family Dog, Living the Country Life, and Out Here.