Strawberries are a delicious treat and packed with vitamins and minerals but you may be wondering, can cats eat strawberries?
Cats are obligate carnivores and have a very different digestive system to us humans. Although strawberries are healthy for it, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are great for your cat.
Some human foods are toxic for your cat, whilst other foods can be beneficial, providing they only eat them in moderation. But what about strawberries, can cats eat strawberries or are they dangerous for cats.
In this guide we are going to cover the topic of cats eating strawberries in great detail, and backed up for extensive research.
Can Cats Eat Strawberries?
Are Strawberries Okay For Cats To Eat?
Technically yes, cats can eat strawberries as they are not on the ASCPA’s list of toxic foods for cats. This is providing that you only feed strawberries to your cat in moderation.
A cat consuming too many strawberries can lead to long-term health issues such as diabetes, due to the high natural sugar levels of the fruit. So never replace their regular meals with strawberries or other fruit.
Strawberries are considered to be safe to eat by diabetics, but cats are carnivorous and cannot digest sugar in the same way that a human does. Cats also lack taste receptors for sweetness which means they more than likely will not eat strawberries in the first place.
It’s also important to remember, only the main part of the strawberry can be consumed by your cat. The leaves and stem should be removed as consuming these could potentially cause allergic reaction.
How Much Is Too Much?
With strawberries being non-toxic, don’t be too concerned if your cat just does happen to consume some.
Just don’t get into the habit of feeding strawberries to your cat on a regular basis. This can wreak havoc on your cats long-term health and lead to feline diabetes. Only feed very small amounts on the odd occasion as a treat.
Can Strawberries Kill Cats?
Strawberries can’t exactly kill cats as they are non-toxic, so it is perfectly fine to consume in small amounts.
As strawberries are filled with natural sugar, the problems occur if you continue to feed your cat strawberries on a regular basis which will eventually lead to obesity and diabetes symptoms.
Health Benefits of Strawberries
Strawberries are packed with vitamin C, B9, manganese, and potassium which can have a variety of great health benefits for humans. They are also considered heart-healthy due to their ability to lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and provide good cholesterol.
As strawberries have simple sugars and are high in fiber, they do not spike blood sugar levels which makes them a great choice if you’re diabetic.
All this sounds great for humans, but can cats benefit from eating strawberries? The answer is not really. Here’s why.
Alon with the all of the vitamins and mineral, strawberries are also rich in anti-oxidants. The problem is, your cat would have to consume quite a lot to really receive any real health benefits.
But as you now know, cats can’t consume too many strawberries due to their high sugar content that can lead to long-term health issues. Cats can also naturally produce vitamin C which promotes healing without the aid of consuming anything else.
Side Effects Of A Cat Eating Strawberries
Although strawberries are safe for a cat to eat in moderation as they are non-toxic, they can still have a negative impact on a cats health. Here are some potential risks:
- High amounts of sugar incites obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay.
- The cat can potentially experience an allergic reaction.
- The cat can incur gastrointestinal distress. I.e., Upset stomach, Vomiting.
- If not properly digested, strawberries can cause diarrhea in cats.
Symptoms of feline diabetes include:
- Excessive thirst
- Constant urination
- Lack of appetite
- Inability to jump
- Vomiting
Are Cats Allergic To Strawberries?
can cats eat strawberries and become allergic? Yes cats can have an allergic reaction due to two reasons:
- A cat trying strawberries for the first time may not react very well to it. All cats are different and unique. Some cats will be fine and others won’t
- If they consume the leaves or stem of the strawberry. Although not poisonous, they can cause your cat to come out in a rash.
You should consult a veterinarian if your cat shows any of the following symptoms:
- Coughing and wheezing.
- Experiences itchiness or skin breakouts.
- Runny nose and sneezing.
- Itchy and watery eyes.
- Vomiting and diarrhea.
Do Cats like Strawberries?
So at this stage, you know now that cats can eat strawberries as they are non-toxic, and you also know the potential dangers and side-effects. The thing is, due to a cats lack of taste receptors to sweetness, they more than likely won’t even try a strawberry.
Cats are just not partial to sweet foods in general as their tongue cannot detect the flavor. Cats only have around 470 taste buds compared to around 9,000 of a human tongue.
Cats like fragrant things so their fascination with strawberries may be due to their aroma. They are also very curious creatures and may want to try something just because your eating it.
Can offer your cat a very small piece and see what they do and how they react. You’ll generally find that they will play with the strawberry rather than eat it.
How to Feed Strawberry To A Cat
If you are going to feed strawberry to your cat, here’s the correct way to prepare it:
- Remove the stem and leaf from the strawberry.
- Wash: Make sure to thoroughly wash the strawberry.
- Cut It Up: Cut the strawberry up into bite-size pieces.
- Moderation: Only feed strawberries in moderation as the occasional treat.
Cats And Strawberries
We can’t fully answer the question of can cats eat strawberries without looking at other kind of strawberry foods and products.
Can Cats Eat Strawberry Jam?
The problem with strawberry jam is that it contains far more sugar than an actual strawberry. Due to a cats lack of taste for sugar, not only is extremely bad for their health, but they more than likely will not be partial to strawberry jam anyway.
Can Cats Eat Strawberry Yogurt?
Although it is non-toxic, there are a couple of issues with feeding your cat flavored yogurt.
First of all, adult cats are lactose intolerant. Although kittens drink their mothers milk, they lose the ability to process dairy as they get older. With yogurt being dairy, it may cause an upset stomach.
The other concern is that flavored yogurt is very high in sugar and contains additives that can detrimental to your cats health. Feeding your cat yogurt may cause the following complications:
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- loss of appetite and weight
- abdominal pain and discomfort
- increased scratching
- lethargy
Can Cats Eat Strawberry Ice Cream?
The same applies for ice cream as it does with yogurt. Your cat may find ice cream hard to digest due them being lactose intolerant.
Although the odd lick now and again is not too bad, ice cream is still high in sugar that can lead to obesity and diabetes. It may also cause upset stomach, nausea, diarrhoea, and vomiting in the short-term.
Can Cats Eat Strawberry Plants?
Although the leaves of a strawberry are not toxic, if consumed, they can cause allergic reaction and may irritate a cats skin, nose, and eyes. If you are going to feed strawberries to your cat, make sure to remove both the leaves and stem.
Can Kittens Eat Strawberries?
Although kittens can eat strawberries just as adult cats can, it’s probably best not to. A kittens immune and digestive system is a lot more delicate than an adult cats and it could make them sick.
Don’t be too concerned if your kitten does happen to consume a bit of strawberry, chances are, everything will be fine.
As kittens require certain nutrients to enable them to develop and grow, it’s best to just stick with properly formulated kitten food.
Other Fruits That Are Safe For Cats to Eat
Here are some other fruits that are considered safe and non-toxic for cats:
- Blueberries
- Apples
- Mangoes
- Watermelon
- Pineapple
As with strawberries, these fruits should also only be fed to your cat in moderation as a true due to their high sugar content.
Alternative Healthy Snacks
There are also some vegetables that are safe for your cat to eat and classed as non-toxic by the ASPCA:
- Zucchini
- Celery
- Carrots
- Green bell peppers
- SpinachÂ
- PeasÂ
- PumpkinÂ
- Broccoli
Conclusion
Just to summarise on can cats eat strawberries? Strawberries are non-toxic to cats and safe to consume, providing it is in moderation. Strawberries like other fruits are high in natural sugar that can lead to long-term health complications such as diabetes.
As cats require a very specific diet of food high in protein, strawberries along with other human foods should never replace a regular cat diet. Have you ever tried your cat with strawberries? Let us know in the comments.
