Strawberries are the flavor of summer for many people. These delicious fruits are sweet, juicy and delicious; But if your cat agrees, you may be wondering whether cats can eat strawberries, are strawberries safe for cats, and should you give your cat strawberries as a treat. To be able to We’re going to take a closer look at strawberries so you can have all the information you need to make your decision about whether to feed your cat strawberries.
Can Cats Eat Strawberries
You’ll probably be surprised to hear that strawberries aren’t actually berries! This is because they are not formed from the plant’s ovary, but from the ‘grace’ in which the ovule sits. They are red (sometimes white), fleshy, and contain small seeds. Strawberry plants are commonly grown in gardens, and you may have seen your cat eating strawberries straight from the plant! These low-lying plants put out runners and clone themselves, which means they can quickly ‘run’ your vegetable beds and into your garden. There are many varieties of strawberries that fruit at slightly different times, meaning strawberries are available throughout spring and summer—and grown under glass or imported year-round.
Strawberry Nutrition Stats
Strawberries contain an array of different nutrients, vitamins and minerals. According to the USDA, 100 grams of strawberries contain the following macronutrients:
Water 91.1 G energy 31kcal protein 0.64 g fat 0.22 g carbohydrates 7.6 grams fiber 1.8g sugar 5.34 g
They are higher in protein content and lower in caloric value than apples, but they also contain much less healthy fiber.
In addition, strawberries contain the following vitamins and minerals:
Vitamin C 56mg Vitamin K 2.1UG Potassium 89mg Phosphorus 20mg Calcium 12mg Magnesium 1 1.8mg
Strawberry Nutritional Benefits
Strawberries have some nutritional benefits for cats, but they are also high in sugar. Strawberries are low in calories, high in fiber and low in water. This makes them an excellent healthy snack that is great for the digestive system and treating constipation. However, they also contain 5 grams of sugar in every 100 grams of strawberries, making them too sweet to eat in large quantities on a regular basis. Despite this, the fiber content helps control the rise in blood sugar, giving strawberries a relatively low glycemic index. Luckily, strawberries are also loaded with vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C and potassium. They also contain several important phytonutrients such as polyphenols and the antioxidant compounds quercetin and pelargonidin. These nutrients are currently being studied for their important benefits for blood pressure, heart disease and cancer. Strawberries have the highest polyphenol content of all fruits.
Can Cats Eat Strawberries?
Now you must be wondering whether cats can eat strawberries or not? The good news is that cats can eat strawberries, provided you follow a few important rules. Strawberries are considered a safe human food to feed your kitten. The ASPCA lists them as non-toxic to cats, dogs and horses. They are tasty, nutritious and attractive to cats. It is not clear why cats want to eat strawberries because cats do not have ‘sweet’ taste receptors and therefore do not have the ability to taste ‘sweet’ things.
However, if you’re a cat owner, you’ll know how curious cats can be, and how hard they’ll try to get at whatever you’re eating. Wait… cats are carnivores – are you sure you can eat strawberries? Yes, cats are carnivores, and you may have heard that this means they cannot digest strawberries and other fruits and vegetables. However, this is not true; The term ‘obligent carnivore’ means that cats require amino acids that are only found in meat; They can eat plants if they want, but they cannot live without meat.
Are Strawberries Good for Cats?
We’ve learned that strawberries are not harmful and have some nutritional benefits, but are they good for cats? OK, so cats can safely eat strawberries, but are strawberries good for cats? Do cats really get any nutritional benefit from eating strawberries? As with so many things, veterinarians and researchers don’t yet know whether eating strawberries is good for cats. However, we do know that the high sugar content of strawberries means that cats should not eat too many strawberries, especially if they are diabetic. The high fiber content can also cause problems; Too much fiber can cause constipation or diarrhea.
The problem is, despite all the amazing nutrients in strawberries, they are mostly found in small amounts. Unless your cat can ingest several hundred grams of strawberries (which we certainly wouldn’t recommend attempting!), they are unlikely to derive any health benefits from eating strawberries- or any other fruit! However, many cats prefer the taste of strawberries, and the water and fiber content can be a useful addition to their diet. Compared to many treats, strawberries are relatively low in calories, so if your cat likes them, they can be given as a healthy reward.
How many strawberries can a cat eat?
This tells us how many strawberries you can safely feed a cat. As always, I would recommend that your cat’s diet is mostly a complete and balanced diet. This cat food should be his staple food; making up at least 90% of his daily calories. The last 10% of their calories may come from snacks and treats such as strawberries. For the average cat, this means that up to 20 calories a day can come from unbalanced sources. Considering that you offer many other cat treats, you should not give your cat more than 20 grams of strawberries per day to avoid obesity.
That being said, many cats will become bothered by the fiber if they are eating more than a teaspoon (10 grams) of strawberries a day. With this in mind, you can feed your cat a small piece of strawberry as a reward, or cut it into small pieces and sprinkle it on its food. Don’t forget to wash the strawberries to remove any traces of pesticides, and remove any greenery (stems and tops) if it’s still present, as it can get stuck in your cat’s throat. As with all new foods, the first time you give your cat a piece of strawberry, you should bite off a small piece with your fingernail, then monitor your cat for 48 hours for adverse effects. Although strawberry allergies are rare, the best way to ensure that your cat can handle strawberries is in their diet.
final thoughts
Strawberries are a safe treat for cats and contain a variety of nutrients. They are also full of water, which is important for maintaining your cat’s hydration. Having said that, you should bear in mind that the fiber in strawberries can irritate the digestive tract if you feed too many; and this may prevent your cat from getting any health benefits from the strawberries. If you do choose to feed strawberries to your cat, only feed them in very small amounts.
Frequently asked questions
Do Cats Eat Strawberry Wafers?
Strawberry wafers are ’empty calories’ – they contain no useful nutrition but lots of calories. They can be very high in sugar and are not recommended for feeding to cats. You should also watch out for ‘diet’ or ‘low cal’ versions, which may contain artificial sweeteners such as Xylitol.
What Fruit Can Cats Eat?
As well as strawberries, cats can also eat other berries including raspberries and blueberries, and fruits such as bananas, watermelon and mangoes.
What Fruit Can Cats Eat?
As well as strawberries, cats can also eat other berries including raspberries and blueberries, and fruits such as bananas, watermelon and mangoes.
Can Cats Eat Strawberry Yogurt?
Strawberry yogurt is not toxic to cats. However, it is usually very high in sugar and hence you should avoid giving it to your cat. Many cats also cannot tolerate yogurt and other forms of dairy, so yogurt should be avoided.
Can Cats Eat Strawberry Ice Cream?
It is never a good idea to feed ice cream to your cat; it is very high in sugar and fat and has no nutritional value. While not directly toxic, ice cream is likely to cause an upset stomach.