Can Cats Eat Strawberries? Everything You Should Know
A big question for pet parents is whether they should feed their cats strawberries or not? Well the answer is YES. You can feed strawberries to cats but keeping an eye on its side effects. Some cats like eating strawberries but some will take a smell or even taste of it and leave it still. Strawberries can be the tastiest fruit but may not suit the health condition of your cat. On that note, let’s find the answers to questions like Are strawberries safe for cats? And if so, how many strawberries can you feed your cat?
What are the benefits of feeding your cat strawberries?
Strawberries are packed with healthy nutrients like antioxidants, vitamin C and potassium. But cats fall in the category of carnivore animal and to maintain the health parameter feeding more of animal protein is beneficial. Giving strawberries as the main treat may not be a good idea. If your cat is happy to eat strawberries, then read the following benefits on it. It improves the energy level
The strawberries work best to maintain the energy level due to carbohydrate in the form of fructose which is a sugar level found in all fruits.
Enhance hydration level
Strawberries work best if your cat is not drinking enough water because it is a reliable alternative for fresh water which is a good sign to feed to cats with strawberries.
Heal the digestion
All types of berries are a good source of fiber. The fiber in berries are soluble and insoluble which helps to regulate intestinal function to balance the digestion.
But, why should you not feed your cat strawberries?
It is true that some cats eat strawberries and show no sign of side effects but there are some cats that may cause serious health issues due to the high sugar substance in them.
Eating sugar in high amounts can result in obesity which can further lead to diabetes. This also causes vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain & constipation etc. It can make your cat’s health vulnerable to other serious problems such as heart and kidney diseases. If your cat already has diabetic issues then you should strictly avoid strawberries.
- Water intake is high, sign of excessive thirst
- Repeated urination
- Vomiting
- Change in appetite and weight loss
- Weak muscles
Read Ways To Feed Your Cat Strawberries
If you want to feed your cat strawberries, you can try out below mentioned ways for better understanding:
- If your cat is under medication term then you must ask the vet before feeding anything especially strawberries to your cat.
- You must clean the strawberries before feeding them to your cat. It will help in removing the dirt or pesticides and prevent choking hazards.
- Cut the strawberries into small pieces which will help in chewing the fruit properly.
- You should not feed cats strawberries everyday. To make them eat safely, you can follow the 10% rule everyday. It means that you should feed only 10% of other treats and snacks everyday and keep the 90% with a full protein rich diet.
Everytime you try to feed with a new treat, you must observe your cat for any sign of vomiting, allergy, stomach infection etc.
