Why
Strawberries provide fiber and vitamin C and are low in calories. They also contain natural sugar, so they are best as an occasional treat.
Canned strawberries, strawberries in syrup and strawberry desserts contain added sugar and sometimes artificial sweeteners such as xylitol.
What to watch out for
- Stomach upset if too many are eaten
- Whole berries can be a choking risk for very small dogs
- Sweetened or canned products
How to serve it
- Wash, remove the leafy top and cut into pieces.
- Serve fresh or frozen, without sugar or cream.
How much?
Small dogs can have one or two strawberries, large dogs a few.
Strawberry yogurt, ice cream and chocolate-dipped berries
Strawberry desserts are where the risk is, not the berries. Check what else is in them before sharing a bite.
- Strawberry yogurt: usually sweetened, and "light" versions may use sugar substitutes. If you want to share yogurt, use a spoonful of plain, unsweetened yogurt and add fresh berry pieces yourself.
- Strawberry ice cream: high in sugar and fat. Many dogs digest milk poorly and get gas or diarrhea from dairy.
- Chocolate-dipped strawberries: chocolate is toxic to dogs, and dark chocolate is the most dangerous. Contact your vet if your dog eats some.
- Strawberry jam and pie filling: mostly sugar. Sugar-free jam may contain xylitol.
Frozen, freeze-dried and fresh from the garden
Plain frozen strawberries from the freezer aisle are just fruit. Check the bag says no added sugar. Let them soften for a few minutes before giving one to a small dog, since a rock-hard whole berry is easy to choke on. Cut them in halves or quarters.
Freeze-dried strawberries are fine if the only ingredient is strawberries. They are light and crunchy, which makes them handy for training, but they are concentrated, so a few pieces go a long way.
If you grow strawberries, some dogs will help themselves. A few berries are harmless. A dog eating a lot of them may get diarrhea, and garden plants may have been sprayed, so fencing off the bed is easier than watching it.
Are other berries safe for dogs too?
Blueberries and raspberries are generally fine in small amounts. Raspberries contain a small amount of natural xylitol, so keep raspberry portions small.
Grapes are not safe in any amount. Holly and mistletoe berries, common at holiday time, are toxic to dogs. Wild berries you cannot identify should be kept away from your dog.
Common questions
Are strawberries good for dogs?
Yes, as an occasional treat. Strawberries provide fiber and vitamin C and are low in calories. They also contain natural sugar, so they are best as an occasional treat.
Are strawberries bad for dogs?
Not in sensible amounts. The main thing to watch: stomach upset if too many are eaten.
Are dogs allowed to have strawberries?
Yes. Wash, remove the leafy top and cut into pieces.
Sources
Topic references
General care and safety
If your dog has eaten something toxic, contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital right away. Do not wait for symptoms. In the US you can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 (fees may apply).