Cats can get into things that aren’t that good for them. But what about something like a strawberry? If your cat decided to take a bite and you’re concerned, the good news is—they’re going to be just fine since strawberries are non-toxic to cats.
However, that doesn’t mean that a strawberry will agree with your cat’s digestive system. It also doesn’t mean your feline will approve of your “unworthy” contribution. Despite how they may react, there’s no harm in knowing what happens when your cat eats a strawberry.
Health Benefits of Strawberries for Your Cat
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Strawberries are a nutrient-packed, irresistibly delicious fruit that can benefit several aspects of health. In moderation, strawberries offer quality vitamins and minerals — but they are quite high in sugar content.
Since cats should infrequently enjoy strawberries, they won’t get much of a boost — but some is always better than none. They would have to consume quite a bit to reap any noticeable benefit.
Folate, or vitamin B9, for tissue and cell function
Potassium for blood pressure regulation
Manganese for metabolism
The water content also helps, especially since cats notoriously don’t hydrate enough. Remember to let your cat indulge once in a while — this shouldn’t become a daily snack.
Can Cats Have Strawberry Allergies?
Your cat can show signs of strawberry distaste from general upset to an allergic reaction. Allergies to strawberries are not common in felines but look for these signs and symptoms:
Sneezing
Discomfort
Watery eyes
Trouble breathing
Skin breakout or reaction
Most of these symptoms are manageable at home. However, if your cat shows signs of labored breathing, contact your vet. They can give your cat a quick examination to determine further action.
How to Give Your Cat a Strawberry
You can introduce your cat to a strawberry by taking these steps:
Make sure to remove green tops or stems
Wash the strawberry thoroughly in cool water
Slice into smaller pieces
Offer a piece to your cat to gauge their reaction
Do Cats Like Strawberries?
It may come as a surprise to some — cats have no taste receptors that detect sugar. That’s right, your cat cannot enjoy a sweet taste. According to NBI, their tongue simply doesn’t pick up the flavor.
Cats are carnivorous, and no sweet taste exists in their natural palette. So, it could be that their taste receptors haven’t evolved yet to pick up on this — which is probably a good thing since cats are susceptible to diabetes and bad teeth anyway.
On the other hand, cats may enjoy a strawberry for its moisture content or texture.
Credit: Kiryl Lis, Shutterstock
While sharing human food with your cat is not always safe, we have a solution that will keep you both smiling.
Cats should enjoy a strawberry only on special occasions. Since strawberries contain so much sugar, it’s best to offer them sparingly. Cats can gain weight easily, and adding empty calories to their diet holds no benefit.
Can cats eat frozen strawberries?
Yes, cats can eat frozen strawberries. You could also make a smoothie puree of frozen strawberry to pour over dinner. While adult cats will usually be fine lapping on a frozen strawberry, seniors or cats with bad teeth may not be good candidates for an icy treat.
Are stems and tops bad for cats?
Stems and greens aren’t necessarily toxic to cats, but they aren’t enjoyable either. It’s best to take off the tops and stems before serving.
Strawberries for Cats — Final Thoughts
So, now you know that there’s absolutely nothing wrong with your cat indulging in the texture of a strawberry. If they so choose to delight in one of these succulent berries, they will only gain moisture and minerals. Even if yours snubs their nose to your offering, it’s nice to know they’re 100% non-toxic to cats. And eating one doesn’t help nor hurt.
Christian is the Editor-in-Chief of Excited Cats and one of its original and primary contributors. A lifelong cat lover, now based in South East Asia, Christian and his wife are the proud parents of an 11-year-old son and four rescue cats: Trixie, Chloe, Sparky, and Chopper.
