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Can Cats Eat Strawberries?

By Stacy Painter
published: November 10, 2021 • 1 min. read
kitten and strawberries

The quick answer: Yes, cats can eat strawberries in moderation.

Benefits of strawberries

Strawberries have lots of antioxidants and vitamins that could be beneficial to a cat, just not in amounts large enough to justify regular feedings. This humble fruit can make a decent snack or treat once in a while with little to no issues as they are non-toxic to cats.

Though cats get most of their nutrients from their carnivorous diet, the occasional fruit or vegetable has vitamins and carotenoids that are good for them.

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Hazards of feeding strawberries to cats

Seeds can be a problem for cats just like humans, so limiting seed intake is a good idea for felines. Their systems can be harmed by the seeds of some fruits and vegetables, as their digestive systems may not be prepared for the regular processing of tiny seeds due to a carnivorous preference.

Low nutritional value is also a concern, so keep the feedings of strawberries to the occasional piece, as these berries don’t have the concentration of nutrients that justify their volume. Denser nutritional foods like vegetables are more suitable, but always remember vegetables and fruits should only be a once-in-a-while treat and not a major part of a cat’s diet.

Sugar content is something to watch out for as well; too much sugar isn’t advised for cats, especially in a single day. Sugary fruits can cause tooth decay and eventually diabetes if you make strawberry treats a regular habit. Unripe strawberries can also have too much acid for cats, converse to the sugar in ripe berries, so both types have different risks. Try to only feed them mid-ripe fruits only to avoid this imbalance.

Stacy Painter profile
By Stacy Painter

Stacy has always been an animal lover and has worked in the pet industry and pet insurance specifically for over a decade. As a writer since early childhood, content writing for Healthy Paws pet insurance was a natural career path to combine her two passions. She currently lives in Florida with her boyfriend and Taiwanese rescue dog, Kaya.

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