Dogs can eat a variety of different foods to sustain health. Their diets are not restricted to a single nutrient source since they need a whole lot of different nutrients to keep their bodies healthy. With that said, dog owners are scrambling to find the best foods for their dogs, and some even resort to just using processed canned food.
However, processed food can sometimes be harmful to dogs. That is why natural options can be good additions to their diet. Among these natural produce options are strawberries.
Dogs can eat strawberries. They serve as a good treat to give due to the nutrients they offer. But just like with any other food source, this should be given in moderation and per your veterinarian’s advice. With this in mind, it is important to make sure strawberries do not take up too much of your dog’s diet.
Can Puppies Eat Strawberries?
Puppies can also eat strawberries. But since they are young, their diet needs to be more in line with their needs. Strawberries can be given but it should be noted that their high sugar content may be too much for these young pups. Keep these treats in strict moderation as other foods will be better for them.
Nutritional Benefits Of Strawberries For Dogs
Strawberries are a natural option for your dog that gives it a multitude of nutrients. These fruits are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that focus more on maintaining the bodily functions of your dog in order to prevent any risk of complications and illnesses. Below are some of the health benefits your dog can get from strawberries:
Vitamins
Strawberries provide vitamins for your dogs. These are crucial organic compounds that can help maintain the functions of your dog’s organs. These are the most abundant vitamins your dog can get from strawberries:
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is another term for ascorbic acid, which helps neutralize any free radicals that may cause damage to your dogs. They help reduce inflammation, enhance the healing of wounds, support the immune system, and aid in the absorption of nutrients. Vitamin C is also a big help to the production of collagen.
Vitamin B1
Thiamin is crucial for enhancing your dog’s metabolism and aids in the functions of its brain. Vitamin B1 is one of the vitamins that need to be constantly given due to its importance in turning food into energy.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K has more of a responsive function wherein it excels in blood clotting and maintaining overall bone health. This allows dogs to face fewer consequences when getting injuries or wounds and reduces the risk of fractures.
Minerals
Minerals are inorganic compounds essential for various bodily functions, including bone development, muscle activity, skin and coat health, red blood cell production, and thyroid function. These are some of the minerals dogs can get from strawberries:
Potassium
Potassium can help dogs regulate fluid balance and muscle contractions. It’s a good electrolyte to have when talking about muscle and heart maintenance.
Magnesium
Magnesium makes sure your dogs have consistent muscle and nerve function since these are minerals involved in protein synthesis, bone health, and nerve function.
Manganese
Manganese is a mineral that helps dogs produce energy and grow stronger, healthier bones. This supports metabolic functions and aids in synthesizing proteins and enzymes needed for your dog’s overall health.
Iodine
Iodine contributes greatly to the production of thyroid hormone production and metabolism of dogs. Thyroid hormones help regulate bodily functions and play a part in their continued functionality.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants help protect your dog by fighting the free radicals in its body. They are needed to ensure your dog’s protection and safety. While Vitamin C is considered an antioxidant, there are also other types included in strawberries:
Anthocyanins
Anthocyanins are abundant in strawberries. These anthocyanins participate in maintaining heart health and protecting cells from free radicals. They can help reduce inflammation, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and aid in enhancing the immune system. Anthocyanins are also the reason why strawberries are red.
Ellagic Acid
Ellagic acid is another prevalent antioxidant in strawberries. It has properties that reduce the risk of inflammation and cancer while also protecting the cells from damage. In totality, this would aid in improving your dog’s lifespan.
Fiber
Fiber is a crucial component for maintaining a good and well-balanced digestive system. It allows functions in the bowels as well as supports the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. The effect of a good amount of fiber consumption is proper digestion, looser formed stools, and well-defined weight loss.
Calories
Strawberries give a multitude of nutrients while also having a low-calorie count. A low-calorie count would prevent any unwanted bloating and poor gut functions. Strawberries serve as a good treat in this regard as they don’t give your dog an overdose of calories that can harm it in the long run.
Risks of Strawberries for Dogs
Strawberries are healthy, but they also have harmful effects when given wrongly or excessively. Here are the precautions to look out for when dogs eat strawberries:
Medical Issues
Diabetes and dental problems due to the sugar content will be a risk when dogs eat strawberries. Further consumption of strawberries might spike the blood sugar level of your dogs, which can lead to serious complications.
Allergies can also be a problem. While it isn’t a common occurrence, dogs can get allergic reactions from strawberries. It’s important to monitor your dog whenever it eats something new to prevent any related issues.
Obesity
The sugars in strawberries may contribute to significant weight gain if given in large quantities. Dogs who get their nutrition from a specific diet have no need for strawberries as additional sugar will only lead to them being overweight. But if you want to give your dog a treat, be sure to give strawberries in small quantities.
Choking Hazard
Strawberries have some significant size in them. Some dogs may have difficulty swallowing them whole, which makes them a potential choking hazard. Since dogs tend to be greedy with their food, they would most likely try to gulp it up in one go.
Pesticides
Strawberries are farmed with pesticides to prevent any pests from destroying the fruit. While this removes the problem of rotten fruit, it does bring a new problem in the form of chemicals. Pesticides are harmful for consumption and may lead to digestive complications for dogs.
How To Prepare Strawberries For Dogs?
Strawberries can be a good treat for your dog, especially due to the nutrients it can provide. However, these natural options often carry pesticides and harmful debris due to the intense process of farming, packing, and transporting them. With this, preparing clean food is important for your dog’s well-being. Here are the recommended ways to prepare strawberries for your dog:
Wash Properly
Strawberries must be washed properly and thoroughly to ensure no debris and pesticides remain on the surface of the fruit. These chemicals can be harmful to your dog when ingested and can cause a multitude of problems related to their digestive systems. You can start by washing them for at least 30 seconds in a solution of vinegar and water. Rinse them properly to remove the solution effectively.
Remove Stems and Leaves
The stems and leaves of strawberries do not offer as many nutritional benefits as strawberries, and the risk of choking proves to be far greater than what they can provide for your dog. This is why the stems and leaves of the strawberries should be removed. Ingestion could lead to digestive problems for your dog as these objects might get stuck in the gastrointestinal tract.
Slice Into Small Pieces
Small pieces should be given to your dog to avoid choking and complications with digestion. Slicing strawberries makes it easier for your dog to consume the fruit and chew it properly. By feeding small pieces, you can control how fast your dog eats to help it control its pace.
Give Portions Slowly
It is important to control how much your dog consumes in its meals. Give these pieces gradually in order to make sure your dog does not choke and eat lots of this fruit. While strawberries do provide nutritional benefits, they are considered more of a snack than a meal.
Conclusion
Feeding your dog strawberries can be a good thing, as long as it’s kept in moderation. A dog’s diet is an important part of its happiness and well-being. As dog owners, we must make sure we know the food we are giving to our best friends. Understanding the basics of food preparation goes a long way in keeping your dog healthy and happy.
It’s important to focus more on the significant parts of a dog’s diet, which is a balance between protein, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, and fats. By using a good combination, you can effectively let your dog grow and develop into a healthy good boy!
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