Why Does My Cat Like Strawberries
Why do cats like strawberries? | ECOVIEWS I recently received the following questions about cats, birds and lizards.Q. I have had pet cats and dogs for years, but just witnessed something I have never seen before. When I set a bag with strawberries on the kitchen floor, my cat walked in, sniffed the bags, then lay down and started rubbing his face all over the plastic box that held the strawberries. Why would a cat go crazy over strawberries as if it were catnip? A. Having had several cats myself, I long ago decided I will never understand what makes them decide to do what they do. I asked a friend who keeps inside cats about your observation. She said, “Strawberries and mint plants apparently have a chemical profile similar to nepetalactol, the attractant found in catnip. I have seen videos of cats rubbing their faces on strawberry baskets. Something definitely appeals to them.” Cats are noted for their inexplicable behaviors, but their attraction to catnip and presumably to chemicals inherent in strawberries has a functional basis. In 2021 researchers from Japan and England published a paper in the journal Science Advances offering an explanation. The organic chemical nepetalactol repels insects, including mosquitos. In the study, cats that rubbed their faces on catnip were protected from mosquito bites. Knowing that cats have a practical reason for one of their offbeat actions detracts only slightly from my wonderment at their otherwise mysterious ways.Q. We are enjoying watching two birds build a nest in a tree outside our upstairs window and we admire all their hard work. How will the mother bird get food and water to her baby birds? A. The answer of how baby birds attain nourishment varies from bird to bird. Most nesting birds around our residential yards (blue jays, cardinals, wrens, etc.) feed babies in the nest before they fledge. Birds that feed their young in the days following hatching are called altricial. The word comes from a Latin word that means “to nourish.” Altricial birds not only benefit from parental care at birth, they depend on being fed until they can fly and seek their own food. In many bird species, both the male and female bring bugs, especially caterpillars, to the open-mouthed babies. Hawks, eagles and owls bring larger animals to their young while they are still in the nest. I’m not aware of any bird that brings water to nestlings. The babies obtain water from the food they eat. Some birds, called precocial, have babies that hit the ground (or water) running within minutes after they hatch. They may follow their mother around while learning how to forage, but they begin feeding themselves as soon as they are born. Precocial birds include chickens, ducks, geese and quail.Q. A lizard lives between the basement and first floor of my house. My 2-year-old almost had a full-blown panic attack this morning as she came running to tell me about a “monster!” I didn’t know what she was talking about until I encountered the skink in the basement just a moment ago. How can I safely remove this little critter? I have been holding my little girl all day long because she is so afraid of this lizard.A. The easiest way to remove a skink is to corner it and catch it by hand. The tail will probably break off but will grow back. It might try to bite, but a small one does not hurt. As far as your little girl goes, I would start showing her pictures of lizards and snakes in a book, explaining that they are a part of the natural world and have no intention of hurting anyone, including her. Take walks outside and look at insects, spiders, birds and other wild things with her. Sometimes children develop an irrational fear because they have not fully grasped that most animals we encounter mean us no harm and they need to be reassured. Good luck. Whit Gibbons is professor of zoology and senior biologist at the University of Georgia’s Savannah River Ecology Laboratory. If you have an environmental question or comment, email [email protected], : Why do cats like strawberries? | ECOVIEWS

Is it OK for cats to eat strawberries?

Are Strawberries Good for Cats? – Although it is safe for cats to eat strawberries, they really don’t provide a large beneficial effect for cats. Strawberries do have some ingredients that are good for people as well as cats, such as vitamin C, folate, fiber, and potassium, but they are also high in carbohydrates and natural sugars.

Overweight cats and those that are especially sensitive to sugars, like diabetic cats, should not have strawberries. In addition, cats are “obligate carnivores,” which means that their intestinal tracts were designed to operate best when digesting meats and proteins, They can digest meat more completely and easily than other foods.

Any food, such as a strawberry, that’s high in carbohydrates is not going to be as nutritious for cats as it would be to humans or even dogs, who are omnivores. If your cat eats too many strawberries, it could also cause gastrointestinal upset—mostly vomiting and diarrhea,

What happens if a cat eats strawberries?

Nutritional Value – Cats can eat strawberries, but are strawberries good for cats? Not really. Strawberries contain various vitamins and minerals, but your cat’s body isn’t designed to absorb or process nutrients from plant-based foods. While they may be able to absorb some vitamin C, folate, or potassium, strawberries don’t provide your cat with any nutritional value.

Consulting a vet: Always consult a vet before feeding your cat anything new, especially if they have special dietary needs or an underlying health condition. Thoroughly cleaning them and removing the stems: Washing the strawberries and removing the stems will rinse away any potentially dangerous pesticides and fertilizer, while removing the stems prevents a possible choking hazard. Cutting them into small pieces: Cutting strawberries into small pieces prevents your cat from choking on the strawberry. You can also add the strawberry to their food or hand it to them and allow them to try a taste. Only feeding in moderation: Cats shouldn’t eat strawberries every day, and they shouldn’t eat too much at one time. Instead, follow the 10% rule, which states that cat treats and snacks should not make up more than 10% of their diet. However, remember that strawberries are a different kind of treat for your cat, so you should start with a small amount and monitor them to see how they react.

Why Does My Cat Like Strawberries While strawberries are non-toxic to cats, they’re not exactly healthy for them either. There are also some cats that should not consume strawberries at all including those with:

Diabetes: or those that have been diagnosed with diabetes should not consume strawberries because of the high sugar content. Too much sugar could cause your cat’s blood pressure to spike, creating a potentially life-threatening emergency. Special Dietary Needs: Cats with special dietary needs, such as those trying to lose weight to prevent diabetes, should not eat strawberries. Again, the high sugar content can be detrimental to your cat’s health by causing weight gain and obesity. Allergies: Some cats may be allergic to strawberries. If you feed your cat a small piece of strawberry, it’s best to monitor them to ensure they’re not allergic.

Additionally, even though strawberries are safe for healthy cats, you should avoid feeding them processed strawberry products like jams, syrups, ice cream, and yogurt, which may contain artificial sweeteners that are toxic to cats. Cats can have an allergic reaction to strawberries.

Sneezing or wheezing Itchiness Vomiting Diarrhea

Itchy skin is one of the most common signs of a food allergy in felines, 3 but your cat may also experience vomiting and diarrhea as the body tries to expel the allergen. Food allergies can take a few hours to appear, so after feeding your cat a strawberry, they must be monitored closely for signs of an allergic reaction. Why Does My Cat Like Strawberries Since your cat’s body can’t process carbohydrates and sugar as well as it does protein, your cat may have vomiting and diarrhea as their body’s natural response to a strawberry rather than an allergic reaction. If your cat experiences these GI issues, make sure they have fresh water and continue to monitor them for signs of an allergic reaction.

  1. If your, wheezing, or having trouble breathing, take them to the nearest emergency vet clinic as soon as possible for treatment.
  2. While many cats won’t consume enough strawberries to make them sick, allergies can be severe enough to be life-threatening.
  3. Even though strawberries are non-toxic to cats, that doesn’t mean they should eat them.
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However, there are many fruits that are toxic to cats and should be avoided at all costs, including:

Cherries: The pits of cherries contain trace amounts of cyanide. When consumed in large quantities, they can be dangerous. Pits are also a choking hazard. Grapes and raisins: and raisins are toxic to both dogs and cats and can cause digestive issues like diarrhea and vomiting and more severe symptoms like kidney failure. Plums and peaches: Plums and peaches are not dangerous to cats in small quantities, but the seeds and pits contain cyanide, so they’re not safe for consumption. Citrus fruits: Citrus fruits are not toxic to cats, but they contain citric acid that can cause GI problems. Most cats don’t like the smell of citrus fruits, so they won’t be interested in eating any oranges, grapefruit, or lemons.

Now, you might wonder, “What fruits can cats eat?” While many fruits are safe for cats to eat, cats shouldn’t eat fruit because their bodies cannot digest it properly. Instead, feed your cat their regular diet and cat treats to give them the nutrition they need for a healthy life.

Are strawberries safe for cats? Strawberries are technically safe for cats to eat, but that doesn’t mean they should. Since strawberries contain sugar and carbohydrates, they don’t offer your cat any nutritional benefit because their bodies can’t process carbs. The high sugar content can also lead to weight gain, obesity, and,

In addition, cats with existing medical conditions should not consume strawberries because they can cause dangerous spikes in blood sugar levels. Even though healthy cats can safely eat a small piece of a strawberry every now and then, there’s no benefit for them.

  1. Instead, they should be eating a perfectly balanced diet to ensure they’re getting all the essential from their regular cat food.
  2. Consult a Dutch vet when you’re unsure what to feed your cat, or you’re worried they accidentally ate something off your plate.
  3. Our vets are available to answer your questions about cat nutrition to help you feed your cat a healthy diet and avoid giving them potentially dangerous foods.

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Can my cat lick a strawberry?

Strawberries are a sweet source of fiber, vitamin C, and potassium in the human diet. But is it safe to share these juicy red treats with our whiskered friends? The short answer is yes—strawberries are generally considered to be safe for cats to eat. But there are other questions to consider before sharing a berry with your pet, like whether or not there are any nutritional benefits, risks, or reasons to avoid feeding your cat strawberries.

Why doesn’t my cat like strawberries?

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.

Can cats lick fruit?

Can cats eat fruit? – Cut into small, easily digestible pieces, cats can eat a range of fruit as an occasional addition to their diet or a healthy snack containing vitamin C. In the summer, chilling fruit in the fridge can help your cat cool down on a hot day. Fruits that are safe for a cat’s diet include:

Apples (peeled apples may be easier to digest) Bananas Blueberries Strawberries Seedless watermelon

How much strawberry can a cat eat?

The bottom line on cats and strawberries – Yes, strawberries are delicious, and you can safely offer your cat a small taste. Make sure you follow the 90/10 rule of daily caloric intake if you have an adventurous cat that will eat strawberries.90% of your cat’s diet should come from their normal balanced cat food, while the remaining 10% can come from treats.

Can cats have eggs?

Are Eggs Good For Cats? – Eggs are not only a perfectly safe food source for cats – they offer much in the way of nutritional benefits. Aside from being rich in protein, eggs are also a great source of linoleic acid, Vitamin B2 and B12 and water-soluble Vitamin A – all of which are wonderful for your cat’s skin and coat.

Can cats smell fruit?

Veterinary nurse Helen Crofts explains why cats turn their noses up at oranges and lemons. – We all know how important it is for us to get our five portions of fruit and veg a day and citrus fruits are one of the most popular fruits available. There is also something very seasonal about the smell of spices and oranges. As the sweet, juicy taste of satsumas, clementines and oranges brings a welcome hit of sweetness to our palates you can be forgiven for thinking that a little segment of fruit will be enjoyed by your cat too. However, cats have an extremely sensitive sense of smell and as citrus fruits are very aromatic, what smells heavenly to us is way too over the top for cats.

This dislike of citrusy scents can be turned to an owner’s advantage. If you want to discourage your cat from using a particular area of your garden as a toilet, leaving orange peel among the flowers may help persuade your cat to cease digging around your prize marigolds. The idea behind this is simply the cat smells the fruit, dislikes it and so wanders off.

Interestingly, for cats who have come across this pungent smell before, it is likely that they will have an even stronger reaction to citrus smells than normal. Fortunately, this natural aversion to strong, citrusy smells means that cats tend to avoid eating it. This is just as well as ingesting citrus fruits can cause cats to experience gastrointestinal discomfort, vomiting and diarrhoea. But don’t panic if your cat does sample a segment or have a lick of your fingers after you have eaten a particularly juicy orange; cats would need to consume an excessive amount to be in danger of any truly severe reactions.

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Can cats have cheese?

Cheese and dairy are not good for cats. They aren’t toxic to cats, but eating too much cheese can upset their stomach and lead to diarrhoea or vomiting. Eating cheese over a prolonged period can also lead to obesity. Some cheeses are also very high in salt, which can cause problems in excess just as it does in humans.

What smell is attractive to cats?

7 Ways to Enrich Cat Environment With Scent – Sometimes we forget that cats’ noses are nearly as sensitive as those of dogs. Don’t overlook scent-rich items that you can’t smell, because they may rock your cat’s world. That said, cats prone to urine marking may be inspired to spray when they encounter a new scent or detect the presence of strange cats outside their house.

Use scent enrichment with caution in these cats. Try one at a time, and mix up the smell-treats over time, to discover what works best for your cats. Crack Open Windows. Many cats never get a whiff of fresh air, and the smell can be intoxicating fun for them. To ensure they can’t escape, raise the window only a couple of inches to allow the breeze inside.

Airborne smells change depending on the weather, so there’s always something new. My cat Karma loves to stand on his hind legs and press his nose to the opening, especially when it rains. Logs, Sticks, Leaves. Seasoned fireplace logs attract many cats and might serve as a scratch post alternative.

  1. My cat enjoys a cedar log, for example, and that smells good to humans, too.
  2. For cats who love Christmas trimmings, save a branch from the tree.
  3. Or fill a box or paper bag with dry leaves for your cat to sniff and play inside.
  4. Pinecones offer aroma, plus something fun to bat around the room.
  5. Some cats react to tatarian honeysuckle branches as though to catnip.

Take-Out Treats. Many cats beg for treats when they smell something yummy. Why not give them a sniff-treat once you’re finished, and let them play with the empty paper take-out container? Avoid plastic, and cut handles on paper sacks to prevent them getting caught.

  1. Some cats react to olives like catnip and roll on top of them in ecstasy.
  2. And the scent of a melon ball may surprise them, and you, with some sniffing fun.
  3. Flower Power.
  4. Cat-safe plants and flowers delight many cats.
  5. Roses are edible, so treat your cat to a bouquet now and then (remove the thorns, of course!).

Sunflowers, zinnias, snapdragons, and gerbera daisies are safe, as well as oat grass or dandelion. Pluck a handful of greens from the yard and offer to your cat. Catnip and More. Many herbs we use in cooking are safe and fun for cats to sniff, and some are known to be feline favorites.

  1. Catnip, part of the mint family, affects many cats with a scent-induced kitty “high.” Silver vine has a similar effect.
  2. And valerian can energize cats.
  3. Fresh work best, but even the dried form may inspire kitty love.
  4. Herbal Love.
  5. Other safe herbs cats may enjoy sniffing include dill, oregano, parsley, and rosemary.

Sprinkle herbs on a carpet or towel for your cat to enjoy. Try filling a plastic bag with catnip, drop in your cat’s favorite toy mice for a few days, and then offer the refreshed toys. Essential Oils—Be Cautious! While popular for people, essential oils can be dangerous for cats as they metabolize them differently.

It is not recommended to apply essential oils to cats for this reason, but their scents can be beneficial. Lavender, which has natural sedative properties, may help soothe an anxious cat. Copaiba, helichrysum, and frankincense are also considered safe for cats. Before using essential oils, even in the form of diffused scents, around your cats, check with your holistic veterinarian for recommendations.

Using scent environmentally can help reduce potential fear and stress in your cat. That not only helps your cat, it enriches the bond you share. This article was reviewed/edited by board-certified veterinary behaviorist Dr. Kenneth Martin and/or veterinary technician specialist in behavior Debbie Martin, LVT.

Can cats eat bacon?

Can Cats Eat Bacon? A Vet Says Teensy Bits—and Only Sometimes cat with background pattern of bacon; can cats eat bacon? Massimiliano Clari / EyeEm / MirageC / Getty When fewer than 10 percent of your kitty’s daily diet can come from treats, you have to really be choosy about his indulgences. So while he might swipe at your fork while you’re eating bacon and eggs, you might have to resist his persuasion.

  1. Can cats eat bacon? Well, tiny amounts as an occasional—occasional!—treat are OK.
  2. Felines are, which means they’re designed to eat meat and receive the vast majority of their nutritional needs from it.
  3. This includes a vital amount of protein and an essential amino acid called, which is critical to maintaining many healthy functions of your kitty, including their and,

So, while cats can eat bacon in moderation, you need to keep track of the bacon’s high amounts of fat and sodium. With that in mind, it’s probably a better option to stick with your cat’s veterinarian-recommended food and treats. RELATED:

What berry can cats not eat?

Fruits that are not safe for cats to eat – So are other types of fruits fair game, too? Nope. We strongly suggest you stick to the expert-approved list of safe fruits, but Dr. Bruns says that it’s particularly important that you never feed cherries, grapes or raisins to a cat, as these fruits are toxic to felines and can cause kidney damage and possibly death.

Can pets eat strawberries?

Fruits Dogs Can and Can’t Eat – Apples Yes, dogs can eat apples, Apples are an excellent source of vitamins A and C, as well as fiber for your dog. They are low in protein and fat, making them the perfect snack for senior dogs. Just be sure to remove the seeds and core first.

  • Try them frozen for an icy warm weather snack.
  • You can also find it as an ingredient in apple-flavored dog treats,
  • Avocado No, dogs should avoid avocado,
  • While avocado may be a healthy snack for dog owners, it should not be given to dogs.
  • The pit, skin, and leaves of avocados contain persin, a toxin that often causes vomiting and diarrhea in dogs,

The fleshy inside of the avocado fruit doesn’t have as much persin as the rest of the plant, but it still can be too much for dogs to handle. Avocado flesh is also high in fat, which can cause gastroinsestinal upset for dogs, or contribute to health conditions like pancreatitis if too much is consumed.

Your dog can still enjoy the benefits of avocado if you look for dog treats for skin and coat that include avocado in the ingredients. Bananas Yes, dogs can eat bananas, In moderation, bananas are a great low-calorie treat for dogs. They’re high in potassium, vitamins, biotin, fiber, and copper. They are low in cholesterol and sodium, but because of their high sugar content, bananas should be given as a treat, not part of your dog’s main diet.

(You can also find banana dog treats that never get overripe!) Blueberries Yes, dogs can eat blueberries, Blueberries are a superfood rich in antioxidants, which prevent cell damage in humans and canines alike. They’re packed with fiber and phytochemicals as well.

Teaching your dog to catch treats in the air? Try blueberries! The powerhouse fruit is a popular ingredient for blueberry dog treats, sometimes in combination with other superfoods like yogurt. Cantaloupe Yes, cantaloupe is safe for dogs, Cantaloupe is packed with nutrients, low in calories, and a great source of water and fiber.

It is, however, high in sugar, so should be shared in moderation, especially for dogs who are overweight or have diabetes. Try freezing balls or cubes of cantaloupe for your dog for a refreshing summertime enrichment snack. Cherries No, dogs should not eat cherries,

  1. With the exception of the fleshy fruit around the seed, cherry plants contain cyanide and are toxic to dogs.
  2. Cyanide disrupts cellular oxygen transport, which means that your dog’s blood cells can’t get enough oxygen.
  3. If you have a cherry tree in your yard, be sure your dog doesn’t have free access to fallen fruit.
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If your dog eats cherries whole or cherry pits, watch for dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, and red gums, as these may be signs of cyanide poisoning, which is a veterinary emergency. If you’re enjoying cherries yourself, be sure to secure the discarded pits in a dog-proof trash can or trash bin that your dog can’t access, and let kids know not to share their cherries or cherry pits with your dog.

To allow your dog to safely experience the antioxidant benefits that cherries have, choose cherry dog treats formulated for your friend. Cranberries Yes, cranberries are safe for dogs to eat. Both cranberries and dried cranberries are safe to feed to dogs in small quantities. Whether your dog will actually like this tart treat is another question.

Either way, moderation is important when feeding cranberries to dogs, as with any treat, as too many cranberries can lead to an upset stomach. It’s also worth noting that many dried cranberries sold for people to eat are sweetened, so giving them to your dog is adding unneeded sugar to their diet.

Instead, if your dog craves the tangy taste of cranberries, opt for unsweetened fresh or frozen fruits, or pick up some crunchy cranberry dog treats, Cucumbers Yes, dogs can eat cucumbers, Cucumbers are especially good for overweight dogs, as they hold little to no carbohydrates or fat, and they are full of satiating hydration.

They’re loaded with vitamins K, C, and B1, as well as potassium, copper, magnesium, and biotin. Cool cucumbers are an excellent hot weather treat if your dog enjoys them, and you can even freeze slices for a fun enrichment snack. Grapes No, dogs should never eat grapes,

  1. If you think your dog has eaten grapes, call your veterinarian.
  2. Grapes and raisins (dried grapes) have proved to be very toxic for dogs no matter the dog’s breed, sex, or age.
  3. In fact, grapes are so toxic that they can lead to acute sudden kidney failure.
  4. Always be mindful of this dangerous fruit around dogs, especially if you have children who eat grapes or raisins in your home.

If you’re throwing away grapes or raisins, don’t put them in a compost heap your dog has access to, and be sure your trash can is designed to be dog-proof or (for those crafty problem-solving dogs) placed where your dog can’t access it. Mango Yes, dogs can eat mangoes,

  • This sweet and juicy tropical treat is packed with four different vitamins: A, B6, C, and E.
  • Mangoes also have potassium and both beta-carotene and alpha-carotene.
  • Just remember, as with most fruits, remove the hard pit first, as it contains small amounts of cyanide and can become a choking hazard.
  • Mango is high in sugar, so use it as an occasional treat, especially for dogs who struggle with weight.

A less messy option for getting the benefits of mango’s superfood nutrients is a chewy mango dog treat, Oranges Yes, dogs can eat oranges, Oranges are fine for dogs to eat, according to veterinarians, but it’s common for dogs to be turned off by any kind of strong citrus smells or tastes.

  1. Oranges are an excellent source of vitamin C, potassium, and fiber, and in small quantities, the juicy flesh of an orange can be a tasty treat for your dog.
  2. Vets do recommend tossing the orange peel and only offering your dog the flesh of the orange, minus any seeds.
  3. Orange peel is rough on their digestive systems, and the oils may make your dog literally turn up their sensitive nose.

If your dog isn’t a fan of fresh citrus, there are a few dog treats with oranges to choose from. Peaches Yes, peaches are safe for dogs to eat. Small amounts of cut-up fresh or frozen peaches are a great source of fiber and vitamin A, but just like cherries, the pit contains cyanide.

As long as you completely cut the flesh away from the peach pit, then fresh peach flesh can be a great summer treat. Be sure the pits are safely discarded in dog-safe trash receptacles. Skip canned peaches, as they usually contain high amounts of sugary syrups. Even canned or jarred peaches “in natural juice” have more sugar than any dog needs.

Frozen peach slices can be a fun, hot-weather enrichment snack for dogs. Pears Yes, dogs can eat pears, Pears are a great snack because they’re high in copper, vitamins C and K, and fiber. If you’re sharing pears with your dog, just be sure to cut the pear flesh into bite-size chunks and remove the pit and seeds first, as the seeds contain traces of cyanide.

Skip canned or jarred pears with sugary syrups, even the ones labeled “in their own juice.” You can also find pear dog treats with other functional ingredients like duck or salmon. Pineapple Yes, pineapple is safe for dogs to eat. A few chunks of pineapple are a great sweet treat for dogs, as long as the prickly outside peel and crown are removed first.

The tropical fruit is full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. It also contains bromelain, an enzyme that makes it easier for dogs to absorb proteins. As with other fruits, don’t choose canned or packaged pineapple in sweetened syrups, as dogs don’t need added sugars in their diets, especially if they’re prone to obesity.

You can also find pineapple dog treats for a taste of the islands on the go. Pumpkin Yes, pure pumpkin is a healthy food for dogs. Pumpkin is full of antioxidants, but its superpower is that it works to relieve both diarrhea and constipation in dogs. If you’re buying canned pumpkin, always choose 100% pumpkin puree, or you can also roast pumpkin in the oven yourself and feed the peeled pumpkin flesh to your dog.

There are also many pumpkin supplements and pumpkin dog treats for dogs to enjoy. Raspberries Yes, dogs can eat raspberries, Raspberries are safe for dogs in moderation. They contain antioxidants that are great for dogs. They’re low in sugar and calories, but high in fiber, manganese, and vitamin C.

Raspberries are especially good for senior dogs because they have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help aging joints. However, they do contain small, naturally occurring amounts of xylitol, so limit your dog to no more than eight ounces of fresh or frozen raspberries at any one time. Or, just choose a dog treat that includes raspberry as an ingredient.

Strawberries Yes, dogs can eat strawberries, Strawberries are full of fiber and vitamin C. Along with that, they also contain an enzyme that can help whiten your dog’s teeth as he or she eats them. Like all fruits, strawberries contain natural sugar, so offer them in moderation.

  1. Frozen strawberries can be a fun enrichment treat for dogs.
  2. Or you could just eat the strawberries yourself and hide your dog’s favorite training treat in this cute strawberry-shaped snuffle mat instead!) Tomatoes No, dogs should avoid tomatoes,
  3. While the ripened flesh of the tomato fruit is generally safe for dogs, the green parts of the tomato plant contain a toxic substance called solanine.

A dog would need to eat a large amount of the tomato plant to make him or her sick, but it’s better to skip tomatoes all together just to be safe. If your dog likes to explore your vegetable garden, be sure to prevent them from having access to your tomato plants.

  • You can find dog-safe tomato treats if your dog loves the flavor or ripe, antioxidant-rich tomatoes.
  • Watermelon Yes, dogs can eat watermelon,
  • It’s important to remove the rind and seeds first, as they can cause intestinal blockage, but watermelon flesh is otherwise safe for dogs.
  • It’s full of vitamin A, B-6, and C, as well as potassium.

Watermelon is 92 percent water, so it’s a great way to help keep your dog hydrated on hot summer days. Freeze chunks of seeded watermelon for a fun hot-weather enrichment treat for your dog. (You can even find watermelon-flavored dog treats !)

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