Can Cats Eat Strawberries? (YES & What’s about Strawberry Leaves?)

Ah, the sweet and delicious strawberry. A summertime classic that can be enjoyed by humans and animals alike – or so you would think. While most fruits are perfectly safe for our feline friends to consume, there are a few exceptions. So, can cats eat strawberries?

Yes, cats can eat strawberries. In fact, they are a source of vitamins A and C for cats, as well as folic acid and fiber. However, like all fruits, strawberries should be given to cats in moderation. Too much fruit can cause gastrointestinal upset in cats, so it’s best to start with just a small piece of strawberry and see how your cat reacts.

If there are no adverse effects, you can slowly increase the amount of strawberry your cat eats. Keep reading about strawberries and cats below to learn more about other strawberry desserts that you should offer or avoid from your cats.

Can Cats Eat Strawberries Leaves?

Cats are obligate carnivores, which means that their bodies are designed to digest and use only animal-based proteins. However, that doesn’t mean that cats can’t eat plant material on occasion.

If your cat happens to nibble on a strawberry leaf, for example, there’s no need to panic. While the leaves of this fruit don’t contain much in the way of nutrients that are usable by cats, they’re not likely to cause any harm, either.

If your cat ate a whole strawberry, leaf and all, he might experience some gastrointestinal upset due to the fiber content of the fruit. But again, this is typically not an issue for healthy adult cats.

So, if your cat likes strawberries and you don’t mind sharing a little bit of your fruit with him on occasion, go ahead and let him enjoy the leafy green topping.

What are the Benefits of Strawberries for Cats?

Now that we’ve answered the question, “can cats eat strawberries?”, let’s talk about the benefits of this fruit for our feline friends.

1. Good Source of Vitamins A and C

I know what you’re thinking – cats don’t need fruits and vegetables because they get all the nutrients they need from meat. And while that’s true, there are some vitamins and minerals that are found in fruits and veggies that can be beneficial for cats.

For example, strawberries are a good source of vitamins A and C. Vitamin A is important for cats because it helps to keep their skin and coat healthy. Vitamin C, on the other hand, is an important antioxidant that can help to boost the immune system.

2. Good Source of Folic Acid

Folic acid is another nutrient that’s found in strawberries. This vitamin is important for all animals, including cats, because it helps to form red blood cells. Red blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body, so it’s important that cats have enough folic acid in their diet.

3. Good Source of Fiber

While fiber isn’t a nutrient that cats need in their diet, it can be beneficial in small amounts. That’s because fiber helps to keep the digestive system working properly. And since constipation is a common problem in cats, anything that can help to keep things moving along is a good thing.

4. Low in Calories

Strawberries are also low in calories, which makes them a good treat option for cats who are trying to lose weight. Just be sure to limit the amount of fruit your cat eats, as too much can lead to weight gain.

5. May Help Improve Digestion

The fiber in strawberries can also help to improve digestion. And since digestive problems are common in cats, this is another reason to give your cat the occasional strawberry treat.

6. May Help Prevent Cancer

The antioxidants in strawberries may also help to prevent cancer. While more research needs to be done in this area, the potential health benefits of this fruit are too great to ignore.

7. May Help Reduce Inflammation

Finally, the vitamins and minerals in strawberries may also help to reduce inflammation. And since inflammation is a common problem in cats, this is another reason to give your cat this fruit on occasion.

What Kind of Strawberry Desserts Can Cats Eat?

Now that we know that strawberries are safe for cats to eat and that they offer some potential health benefits, let’s talk about some strawberry-based desserts that your cat might enjoy.

1. Strawberry Yogurt

One option is to give your cat a small dish of strawberry yogurt. Just be sure to choose a yogurt that doesn’t contain any artificial sweeteners, as these can be toxic to cats. You should also avoid yogurts that contain fruit chunks, as these can be a choking hazard.

2. Strawberry Ice Cream

Another option is to give your cat a small scoop of strawberry ice cream. As with yogurt, be sure to choose a ice cream that doesn’t contain any artificial sweeteners. You should also avoid ice creams that contain nuts or chocolate, as these can be dangerous for cats.

3. Strawberry Jelly

If your cat is a fan of jelly, you can give him a small dish of strawberry jelly. Just be sure to choose a jelly that doesn’t contain any sugar substitute, as these can be toxic to cats.

4. Strawberry Jam

Jam is another option for cats who enjoy fruity desserts. As with jelly, be sure to choose a jam that doesn’t contain any sugar substitute. You should also avoid jams that contain chunks of fruit, as these can be a choking hazard.

Some Strawberry Desert You Should Avoid Giving your Cat

While there are some strawberry-based desserts that are safe for cats to eat, there are also some things you should avoid giving your cat.

1. Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

Chocolate-covered strawberries may seem like a tasty treat, but they can actually be dangerous for cats. That’s because chocolate is toxic to cats and can cause a number of serious health problems.

2. Strawberry Cake

Another food to avoid giving your cat is strawberry cake. While the cake itself may not be harmful, the icing can be. That’s because most icings contain sugar substitutes, which are toxic to cats.

3. Strawberry Pie

Strawberry pie is another food that you should avoid giving your cat. While the pie filling may not be harmful, the crust can be. That’s because most crusts contain sugar substitutes, which are toxic to cats.

4. Strawberry Cheesecake

Finally, strawberry cheesecake is another food to avoid giving your cat. While the cheesecake itself may not be harmful, the crust can be. That’s because most crusts contain sugar substitutes, which are toxic to cats.

How to Feed Your Cat Strawberries?

If you’ve decided that you want to give your cat strawberries, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.

1. Wash the Strawberry First

Before giving your cat a strawberry, be sure to wash it first. This will help to remove any dirt or pesticides that may be on the fruit.

2. Cut the Strawberry Into Small Pieces

Once the strawberry is washed, cut it into small pieces. This will help to prevent your cat from choking on the fruit.

3. Give Your Cat a Small Amount

When giving your cat strawberries, be sure to give him a small amount. This will help to prevent tummy upset.

4. Monitor Your Cat After Eating

As with any new food, it’s important to monitor your cat after he eats strawberries. This will help to ensure that he doesn’t have any adverse reactions to the fruit.

5. Talk to Your Vet

If you’re unsure about whether or not you should give your cat strawberries, talk to your vet. He or she can give you the best advice for your cat’s specific situation.

How Much Strawberry Can a Cat Eat?

While there are some cats who can eat strawberries with no problem, there are others who may have an adverse reaction to the fruit. For this reason, it’s important to start with a small amount and increase the amount gradually over time.

As a general rule of thumb, you should start by giving your cat 1-2 strawberries. If he tolerates this well, you can gradually increase the amount over time.

However, if your cat has any adverse reactions to the fruit, such as vomiting or diarrhea, stop feeding him strawberries and talk to your vet.

The Summary

Now that you know the answer to the question, “can cats eat strawberries,” you can decide whether or not you want to give your cat this fruit. Just be sure to start with a small amount and increase the amount gradually over time. If your cat has any adverse reactions to the fruit, stop feeding him and talk to your vet.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your own veterinarian or doctor. Please always consult with your own professional healthcare providers regarding any questions or concerns you have about your specific situation.

Have you ever given your cat strawberries? How did he react? Let us know in the comments below!