Can Cats Eat Strawberries?

• Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.

Is there anything sweeter than strawberries? Whether in a parfait or on their own, strawberries are a delicious bright red fruit praised for having a variety of vitamins and minerals while giving an energy boost from their natural sugars.

But can your cat enjoy this sweet treat?

Our feline friends have different digestive systems than us, and although some foods may be non-toxic or even beneficial to a cat’s diet, other foods can cause serious issues immediately or have long-term effects. Though strawberries are healthy for us, that doesn’t mean they’re safe for other animals.

Here’s what you need to know about whether cats can eat strawberries.

Health Benefits of Strawberries

Without a doubt, strawberries have a wide variety of health benefits for humans. Filled with vitamin C, B9, potassium, and manganese, this diverse fruit can be used in jams, desserts, or on top of cereal. Truly a perfect companion to many of our meals!

Due to their simple sugars and high amount of fiber, strawberries are touted as a good fruit to eat if you’re diabetic, as they don’t spike blood sugar levels like other types of fruits might. Strawberries are also considered heart-healthy, as berries of all types can reduce inflammation, provide good cholesterol and lower blood pressure.

Can Cats Eat Strawberries?

With all of these amazing benefits, we may want to share the wealth with our cats! However, if you notice your cat isn’t interested in the strawberries you’re eating, it’s with good reason. Cats lack taste receptors for sweetness, as Scientific American explains, so they won’t be too excited by a sweet treat of any type, much less a strawberry.

Even though strawberries are considered safe to eat by diabetics, cats shouldn’t digest strawberries regularly. Simply put, cats don’t digest sugar the same way humans do. Cats are carnivorous and having too much sugar in a cat’s diet will cause digestive or diabetic issues over time. It’s ultimately recommended to not feed cats strawberries in large quantities, especially as a meal replacement.

How Much Is Too Much?

If your cat takes a curious bite of your summer-time fruit without your permission, don’t fret. A little nibble won’t hurt them. Strawberries aren’t toxic to cats.

But if they were to continuously eat this sugar-filled fruit over time, it may lead to obesity and diabetes symptoms. Cats can digest strawberry sugar in small amounts, but raising their blood sugar levels on a frequent basis will wreak havoc long-term.

Symptoms of feline diabetes include:

• Excessive thirst
• Constant urination
• Lack of appetite
• Inability to jump
• Vomiting

Contact your veterinarian as soon as you notice these symptoms as they may be the beginning signs of diabetes, according to Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.

This is true for all sugary foods including cereals or other types of fruit. Consider checking the package when purchasing cat treats, as some may have excess amounts of sugar and carbohydrates.

Can Cats Eat Fruit?

“Fruits are not problematic for cats although most won’t really eat fruit in any quantity,” Gary Richter, DVM, owner and medical director of Montclair Veterinary Hospital in Oakland, California and Holistic Veterinary Care, tells Rover. “Since they are not going to eat large amounts of fruit anyway, the sugar content is not a major concern.”

Beyond sugar, however, there are other things to watch out for when it comes to fruit. These are fruits you’ll absolutely want to steer clear from with cats:

• Citrus (all citrus contains some level of citric acid, which can cause central nervous system issues in large enough doses; it causes stomach upset in smaller amounts, according to the ASPCA)
• Grapes/Raisins/Currants (toxic to cats, according to the ASPCA)
• Coconut or coconut oil (technically a seed, but we’ll include it here—coconut can cause an upset stomach in cats, per the ASPCA)

Alternative Healthy Snacks

If you’re looking for some healthy snacks for your cat beyond regular canned or dry food, they might also like vegetables. “Pet owners can always try to give vegetables to cats in food or treats. Not all will eat them,” Dr. Richter says. “There certainly are good nutrients in vegetables when part of a balanced meal.”

These veggies are not toxic to cats, according to the ASPCA:

• Zucchini
• Celery (They love the crunch!)
• Carrots
• Green bell peppers
• Spinach (Filled with vitamins A, C, and K!)
• Peas (Often found in many prepackaged foods for cats and dogs as a vitamin-filled addition)
• Pumpkin (Pumpkin is used often as a way to get fiber in your cat’s diet)
• Broccoli

However, remember that your cat is still a carnivore, and they’ll miss out on vital nutrients if they fill up on vegetables instead of properly formulated cat food. “The large majority of what cats eat should be a balanced diet,” Dr. Richter says. “In general, treats are not balanced and should not make up a significant portion of their daily intake.”

Further Reading

• Can Cats Eat Bananas?
• The 5 Most Poisonous Plants for Cats
• Can Cats Drink Milk?
• So…Why Are Cats Afraid of Cucumbers?

Featured Image: Javcon117/Flickr