Strawberry is a sweet and lovely fruit that we enjoy eating and has many benefits for humans. But what about cats? Some domestic cats may be interested in eating strawberries. So, in this case, can cats have strawberries or not? Are strawberries bad for cats?
In this article, we answer this question and question about feeding cats with strawberries as a snack. We talk about the benefits of strawberries, the amount, and the essential points of feeding a cat with this red fruit.
Can cats eat strawberries?
Yes, cats can eat strawberries. Strawberries are not bad for cats.
Strawberry is one of the safe and best fruits for cats, and you can give it to your cat as a snack and encouragement. Of course, this does not mean that you should use strawberries in your cat’s diet.
Strawberries have various advantages and benefits for cats and can provide vitamins and minerals needed by cats. In the following, we will explain the benefits of this red and juicy fruit.
What are the benefits of strawberries?
Strawberries have many properties and benefits for cats that can help provide minerals and vitamins needed by the cat’s body. These benefits include:
The high percentage of water
91% of strawberries are water, which can help the overall health of the body as well as the health of the cat’s kidneys. Cats are less interested in drinking water than other pets and are more likely to be dehydrated. Therefore, if you use kibble to feed your cat, you must increase the cat’s daily water intake.
Rich in vitamins
Strawberries are rich in vitamin C, folic acid (vitamin B9), and polyphenols, which have antioxidant properties.
Folic acid is vital in building new cells, so strawberries can be introduced as an anti-aging fruit.
In addition, strawberries contain flavonoids and anthocyanins that act as a barrier against cardiovascular diseases.
Rich source of potassium
Every 100 grams of strawberries contains 153 milligrams of potassium. The potassium in strawberries can help regulate the potassium level in the cat’s blood.
A decrease in the level of potassium in the cat’s blood or hypokalemia is a disease caused by a lack of potassium in the cat’s diet. Cat strawberries in small amounts can help regulate potassium levels in a cat’s blood.
Other minerals found in strawberries include:
- phosphorus
- magnesium
- Calcium
- and copper
Other similar safe fruits for cats:
Are strawberries bad for cats?
Despite all these benefits, there is one concern about strawberries, and that is their high sugar content. According to the USDA, every 100 grams of strawberries contain 4.89 grams of sugar.
Since the digestive system of cats cannot digest large amounts of sugar, eating too many strawberries by cats can be dangerous.
The presence of high sugar in strawberries makes this fruit dangerous for some cats and is contraindicated. Contraindications to the use of strawberries for cats include:
- Cats that are overweight and obese
- Cats with diabetes problems
- Cats with digestive problems
How much to give the cat strawberries?
As we said before, strawberries are safe for cats, but this does not mean you can use them continuously and in large quantities in your cat’s diet. In fact, strawberries can be a healthy snack for your cat, not the cat’s leading food.
About 10% of the cat’s daily food can be allocated to fruits and vegetables. For example, if your cat needs 300 calories daily, you can provide 30 calories with fruits and vegetables.
Every 100 grams of strawberries contain 32 calories. So, for a cat with a daily requirement of 300 calories, you can give about one 100-gram strawberry daily.
But don’t do this, because as we said, the sugar in strawberries is high. Its daily and continuous consumption can cause various problems, such as being overweight and diabetes in the long run.
Note: We recommend adding about 10 to 20 grams of strawberries to your cat’s diet 3 to 4 times a week.
feeding tips a cat with strawberries
Try cutting strawberries into small pieces (about 0.5 cm or the size of cat kibble) and then feed them to your cat. Doing this reduces the possibility of throat blockage and suffocation in the cat.
Make sure to wash the strawberries well and then remove the stem. The strawberry plant and its stem are not poisonous or dangerous for cats, but they can be difficult and slow for cats to digest. Eating strawberry stems and leaves may block the cat’s digestive system.
If it is the first time you will use strawberries as a snack for your cat, it is better to ensure that your cat is not allergic to them.
Are cats allergic to strawberries?
Can’t say precisely; It may be allergenic for some cats and not for others. But if your cat is allergic to strawberries, you can check its symptoms after eating strawberries. Symptoms of cat allergy to strawberries include:
- Respiratory problems
- cough
- wheezing
- sneeze
- Skin inflammations (such as hives and itching)
- Digestive problems (such as diarrhea and vomiting)
Consult a veterinarian if you notice these symptoms after eating strawberries in your cat.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is strawberry ice cream bad for cats?
Yes, as you know, ice cream is full of sugar. That’s why it is better not to give strawberry ice cream to your cat. In addition, cats cannot digest milk-based dairy products well. So if your cat desires to eat strawberry ice cream, strawberry jam, and any food that contains a lot of sugar, never give them to your cat.
Can kittens eat strawberries?
Yes, kittens can eat strawberries too, but it is not necessary.
Strawberries are a snack and cannot replace the kitten’s leading food. So it is better to focus on providing the primary nutritional needs of the cat at this age.
But another important thing is whether kittens like to eat strawberries or not. This interest is unique and different in every cat. So, it is not a problem if your kitten does not show interest in eating strawberries.
Can strawberries help treat constipation in cats?
The fiber in strawberries can help treat constipation. Still, this amount is meager, and it cannot be said strawberries help treat constipation in cats. About 2% of strawberries are made of fiber, similar to apples in this respect. You can use apples instead of strawberries.
Read more about apple: can cats eat apples?
The bottom line
Cats can eat strawberries, and this fruit is not dangerous for them. The only disturbing thing about strawberries is their sugar content, and their high consumption can cause obesity, diabetes, and related problems. You can give your cat strawberries as a snack in small amounts so that they enjoy eating them and take advantage of the benefits of this red fruit.
Of course, if your cat is not interested in eating strawberries, don’t worry. It is not necessary to feed your cat with strawberries.
