Can cats eat strawberries?

Health benefits of strawberries for cats?

Cats are obligate carnivores, so don't benefit as much from the nutrients in strawberries (such as Vitamin C) in the same way dogs do. However, there are still benefits to giving your cat the odd morsel of strawberry fruit, including:

• Strawberries contain antioxidants, which can help promote a strong immune system
• Strawberries are high in fibre, which is great for your cat's gut health
• They contain only 32 calories per 100g - making it a great option for treating kitties on a diet.
• They also contain no fat or cholesterol, so it's a safe treat for cats who experience pancreatitis or IBD.

Credit: @ana.cmat

Can cats eat strawberry leaves?

Yes, strawberry leaves are safe for your cat. Some cats love to munch on them in the same way they chew on grass. Just make sure the leaves have been washed to remove any pesticides!

Are strawberries high in sugar?

No - strawberries are one of the lowest sugar-content fruits around, containing only 4.9g sugar per 100g.¹ To compare, bananas contain 12g per 100g, and figs contain 16g per 100g! Some advice will warn of moderating strawberry consumption due to sugar content, but in truth you can feed a lot more strawberries to your cat than most other fruits without worrying about sugar.

However, caution should always be taken in cats with diabetes. If your cat suffers from diabetes, it's best not to give them fruit - even low sugar options like berries.

DID YOU KNOW? On a per 100g/100ml basis, strawberries contain even less sugar content than dairy milk. Strawberries are 4.9% whereas milk is 5.2%. The sugar content in milk is lactose, whereas the sugar content in strawberries is fructose.

Can cats eat storebought frozen strawberries?

If you're going to feed your cat strawberries, it's generally recommended to opt for fresh strawberries. You may wish to freeze fresh strawberries as a tasty frozen treat, but generally we advise against commercially packed frozen berries.

Storebought frozen strawberries are often higher in sugar than fresh strawberries. Not only does freezing naturally concentrate the fruit into a more nutrient-dense state, but some manufacturers add strawberry juice or syrup to the pack to enhance the flavour.

In addition, recent outbreaks of infectious diseases from frozen berries (such as the 2015 hepatitis outbreak) have led to many experts recommending boiling or cooking frozen berries² before eating them, to remove the risk of disease. So, generally we recommend choosing fresh berries for your cat!

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How to Feed Your Cat Strawberries

Cats are obligate carnivores, which means that they don't benefit from an excess of fruit or vegetables in their diet. But strawberries as an occasional treat are completely fine. Make sure you wash them prior to giving them to your cat, to remove any pesticides, dirt, or bugs.

You can give them to your cat whole, cut them into slices, freeze them and give as natural popsicles on a hot day, or you can blend them into a puree. And you can of course share them with your cat, passing them a couple of leaves while you consume the tasty red fruit!