Sharing food with our dogs is one of the most fun parts of pet ownership. But animals can’t always eat the same stuff as humans (and we certainly don’t want to chew on their chow, either). It’s important to keep a restriction list in mind when you go to get your buddy a snack from the kitchen. Pups shouldn’t eat everything in our pantry, but can dogs eat strawberries? The answer is: Yes, they can and will enjoy them. We’ll walk you through how to feed strawberries to dogs and what other fruits they can gnaw on.
No, not at all, and in fact, many dogs love strawberries. Like so many other fruits, strawberries have a lot of nutrients and tons of water, making them a good and reasonably low-calorie snack. However, the drawback is that they’re very sweet. That’s probably half the reason that Fido likes them!
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Because of their high sugar content, though, you should limit how many strawberries — or any berries — you give your pooch per day. The exact number you give depends on the size of your pup pup, with the littlest breeds only needing one per day. A large beastie can have as many as four, and you should scale up or down for all sizes in between.
How should I prepare strawberries for my dog?
Before passing this treat to your animal, make sure to remove the green bits, though a tiny bit of leftover leaf won’t hurt. The biggest issue with this fruit is the size — strawberries are a choking hazard. If you have a little guy that takes big bites, you’ll want to chop these up small first before doling them out. Lastly, remember that we’re talking about fresh strawberries, not canned or jammed or anything like that.
What fruits are not good for dogs?
You should certainly make your buddy avoid all the fruits you don’t eat either like red berries he might find growing in the wild. However, the biggest fruits your dog can never eat are grapes and raisins. Science hasn’t quite figured out why, but these delectables don’t do well for our hounds, and even just one grape can turn deadly. Lastly, stay away from the following just to be safe: green tomatoes, cherries, limes, lemons, and avocado (technically a fruit and bad for dogs in large quantities).
Every dog wants what is on their human’s plate, no matter it is. While some foods have to stay on the no list, such as garlic, chocolate, and spices, plenty of fruits and vegetables make a great addition to your pup’s diet. When it comes to strawberries, a little goes a long way. Because they’re sweet, you should feed in moderation, but your buddy will love them even in small quantities.
You can share a small bit of melon with your pup now and then
There's a long and complicated list of safe human foods for dogs. Carrots? Yes! Grapes? No! Can dogs eat cantaloupe? You'll be happy to learn that this melon works just fine for beasties, in small quantities, that is.
Like all treats, you'll need to keep the snack as an occasional extra. It's always important to ensure your pet gets all the major nutrients from their staples, like kibble. But if you want to know more about feeding your doggie cantaloupe, read on for the details.
Is cantaloupe good for dogs?
Why do dogs like sticks? (Plus, tips for playing with this toy safely)
You shouldn't let them chew on sticks, but they might be able to carry them around anyway
It's something of a running joke among humans across cultures and time: Dogs love to carry sticks in their mouths, even ones that are way too large. It seems that despite offering infinite treats and toys, they prefer the more natural playthings. You may have seen your buddy pick up a branch or two and proudly prance around with their prize. But why do dogs like sticks? Interestingly, there are a few motivations behind this inclination. Here's what you need to know about your pup's love of twigs.
Why do dogs like sticks?
Whether at the dog park, out for a walk, or in the backyard, your pooch will find sticks everywhere, as if they are drawn in like magic. And they might be! Truthfully, it really all comes down to their instincts that trace back to their wolfish ancestors. Here are a few reasons that dogs like sticks.
Gathering
While we think of some dogs as elite hunters, they also have a strong drive to gather food, bedding, and other necessities. Your pet could fulfill this need by bringing home sticks or playing with them so they feel that they have checked this activity off of their list.
Chewing
We know that chewing on Greenies is good for our dog's teeth, but what do they do when you're not around to provide dental treats? In the past, dogs had to rely on natural remedies to keep the pearly whites intact. Now you will especially find your puppies going for the sticks when teething. Adults also chew to strengthen their jaw muscles.
Smelling
Dogs explore the world with their noses first and foremost. They enjoy interesting scents — you may notice your dog sniffing leaves, grass, and trees on walks. Sometimes, your animal might decide to bring a bit of the outdoors in and carry a stick into the house for the musky perfume it offers.
Hunting
Some have suggested that dogs carry sticks because their predecessors frequently dragged around bones. There's some debate about this, but researchers point out that our beasties are actually omnivorous and have eaten plants for thousands of years as part of a varied diet.
Is it safe for dogs to chew on sticks?
Here's the truth and what to do if your dog eats pears
"Eat your fruits and veggies" is standard advice from doctors, dietitians, and parents — you may have been on the receiving end of this (sound) recommendation for your overall health. However, dog-specific food is generally limited to "dry" and "wet." That doesn't mean a taste of a favorite human food here and there is off the table. Still, you'll want to know which ones (blueberries and apples) are safe and which (chocolate, grapes, and onions) are off the table.
If you find pears peachy, you may wonder if you can share. Can dogs eat pears? What happens if the little rascal eats a piece of pear you dropped on the floor faster than you can say, "Leave it?" Good news: You don't have to panic. Here's what to know about pears and dogs.
Can dogs eat pears?