Strawberries are a warm-weather favorite treat for dogs and their humans. Warm weather means that fresh fruits and vegetables are in abundance, and just as we are incorporating them into our diet, we can feed them to our dogs.  It may be hard or confusing to figure out which fruits and vegetables are safe for your dog (here’s a hint: grapes are definitely not safe), but yes, your best friend can have fresh strawberries. However, you should not feed your dog canned strawberries or strawberries in syrup. These are not good for your pet, at all.

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Benefits of Strawberries for Dogs

Strawberries are a healthy, low-calorie, sweet treat for your dog, full of antioxidants, high in fiber and vitamin C. Here’s a bonus. By giving your dog strawberries, you are also helping him stay healthy in more ways than one. For example, over time, fresh fruit may help slow down the aging process, strengthen the immune system, and help with weight management. Strawberries can also help whiten your pup’s teeth.

How to Safely Feed Strawberries to Your Dog

So now that you know that you can give your dogs strawberries, what is the safest way to do it? The safest way to serve strawberries is to wash them thoroughly and then cut the fruit up in small pieces to prevent choking and make it easier to digest. If you have a small dog, you can mash up the berries or puree them and add them to the dog’s food. Cut up, frozen strawberries make a nice, cool summer treat.

Whenever you introduce any new food to your dog’s diet, it is best to call your veterinarian first. And if you do begin to give your dog strawberries, be careful to start with small qualities and watch your dog for any changes in behavior or any digestive issues. Should you notice anything odd, stop giving them to him and check with your veterinarian.

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Other Fruity Treats for Your Dog

Veterinarians recommend that any types of treats should only make up about 10 percent of your dog’s diet.  There are other fruits you can feed your dog that are safe and may contribute to keeping him healthy. Here are a few more:

• Frozen bananas.

• Watermelon (remove the seeds).

• Apples (remove the seeds and the core).

• Blueberries.

• Cantaloupe.

• Mango (peel and remove the pit).

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Text Source: AKC