Can Dogs Eat Strawberries? Yes, in Moderation

Why strawberries are safe for dogs

Strawberries contain nothing that is toxic to dogs. The fruit is mostly water, with a little natural sugar, some fiber and vitamin C. The AKC lists them as a low-calorie treat, and a medium berry has only a handful of calories, so a few pieces fit easily inside a dog's daily allowance without crowding out their regular food.

The caution is sugar rather than toxicity. A dog that is overweight or has diabetes is better off with a lower-sugar choice such as cucumber, and any dog that eats a whole bowl at once is likely to have a loose stool the next day. Plain fruit, in small pieces, is the safe version.

The forms of strawberry to keep away from your dog

The fruit itself is fine; what people do to it is the problem. Strawberries canned in syrup, frozen in sugar, or baked into shortcake, pie filling and jam carry far more sugar than a dog needs, and chocolate-dipped strawberries add chocolate, which is toxic to dogs.

Read the label on anything strawberry-flavored. Sugar-free yogurts, gum, candy and some baked goods are sweetened with xylitol, which can cause a dangerous drop in blood sugar in dogs. If your dog eats a xylitol product, call your vet, ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 straight away; a fee may apply.

How to prepare strawberries for a dog

Rinse the berries under cold water to remove dirt and residue, then pull or slice off the green leafy top. The leaves are not poisonous, but they are tough and can upset a sensitive stomach. Cut each berry into pieces your dog can swallow comfortably: quarters for a medium dog, and blueberry-sized dice for a 10 lb dog.

For very small dogs or seniors with dental problems, mash the berry with a fork and stir it into their regular food. On a hot day, freeze a few chopped pieces on a tray for a cold, crunchy treat, or press mashed berry into a rubber chew toy and freeze it for longer-lasting enrichment.

For dogs that gulp anything new, a slow feeder bowl or a lick mat keeps portions small and eating slow.

How many strawberries a dog can have

Treats of every kind should stay under about 10% of your dog's daily calories, and fruit counts as a treat. As a starting point: one or two small pieces for dogs under 20 lb, two or three berries for dogs of 20 to 50 lb, and up to four or five berries for dogs over 50 lb, a few times a week rather than all at once.

The first time, give less than this and wait a day. If their stool stays normal and they show no itching or swelling, you can work up to the amounts above.

Can puppies eat strawberries?

Puppies can try a strawberry once they are fully weaned and eating solid puppy food without problems, but their digestion is still settling, so start with one small, mashed piece. A puppy's calories need to come almost entirely from a complete puppy food, so fruit should be an occasional extra rather than a habit.

Teething puppies often enjoy a frozen piece of strawberry against sore gums. Supervise them while they chew it, cut it small enough that it cannot lodge in the throat, and stop if you notice soft stools afterward. Ask your vet at the next puppy visit if you are unsure which treats suit your puppy.

Signs strawberries disagreed with your dog, and when to call the vet

Too much fruit usually shows up as mild stomach upset within 6 to 24 hours: soft stool or diarrhea, extra gas, or a single episode of vomiting. That tends to settle on its own within a day. Allergic reactions to strawberries are uncommon, but watch for itching, red skin, hives or swelling around the face.

Call your vet the same day if vomiting or diarrhea continues past 24 hours, if there is blood in either, or if your dog is unusually tired. Facial swelling or trouble breathing needs to be seen right away. If your dog choked on a whole berry and is still struggling to breathe, treat it as an emergency.

Other fruits to try instead

If your dog enjoys strawberries, blueberries are an easy alternative: they are small, need no cutting for most dogs, and carry less sugar per piece. Seedless watermelon without the rind, banana slices and peeled apple without the core or seeds are other fruits dogs commonly take to. Cucumber gives the same crunch with almost no sugar.

Some fruits are not interchangeable. Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs, and cherries, peaches and plums have pits that should never be given. When you want to share something new, check it first, offer a small amount, and keep fruit as a side to a complete dog food.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.