Can my dog eat strawberries?
Can dogs eat strawberries?Yes
Washed, without the leaves and stalk, and cut into small pieces.
Yes, dogs can eat strawberries – washed, without the leaves and stalk, and cut into small pieces. At around 32 kcal and just under 5 g of sugar per 100 g, they're one of the lower-calorie fruits. Depending on your dog's size, one to three strawberries a day is a good guide.
How many strawberries can your dog eat?
Enter the weight – the amount updates straight away. You can adjust age, activity and neutering below.
How the calculator works
- Daily requirement: Resting energy requirement 70 × 15 kg^0.75 ≈ 534 kcal × factor 1.6 ≈ 855 kcal.
- Treat allowance: at most 10% of that = 86 kcal for all treats combined.
- Calorie limit: 86 kcal ÷ 32 kcal/100 g = 269 g of strawberries.
- Guide value for dogs 10–25 kg: 2 × strawberry (medium-sized) at 12 g each = 24 g (guide value from the source).
- Recommendation: the smaller of the two, rounded down to half portions → 2 × 12 g = 24 g ≈ 8 kcal.
Sources: 10% rule from the WSAVA guide to treats · kcal value: USDA FoodData Central. Daily requirement as in the dog calorie calculator.
Result · 15 kg · Adult
Up to 2
× strawberry (medium-sized) on a snack day
(≈ 24 g, 8 kcal)
Treat allowance 86 kcal (10% of 855 kcal) · 1 strawberry (medium-sized) ≈ 12 g
Limited by: guide value
Here the guide value for dogs 10–25 kg sets the limit (guide value from the source): at most 2 × strawberry (medium-sized). In terms of calories, up to 269 g would be possible.
AKC: one to three strawberries a day is a good starting point, depending on size; small dogs get fewer.
This applies if it's the only snack that day – if your dog gets other treats too, give correspondingly less.
The app calculates recipes in grams, kcal and portions to suit your dog's weight, age, activity and allergies.Strawberries for dogs: amount by weight
| Weight | Maximum per snack day | kcal |
|---|---|---|
| 5 kg | 1 strawberry (medium-sized)≈ 12 g | ≈ 4 |
| 10 kg | 1 strawberry (medium-sized)≈ 12 g | ≈ 4 |
| 20 kg | 2 × strawberry (medium-sized)≈ 24 g | ≈ 8 |
| 30 kg | 3 × strawberry (medium-sized)≈ 36 g | ≈ 12 |
| 40 kg | 3 × strawberry (medium-sized)≈ 36 g | ≈ 12 |
- All snacks together no more than 10% of daily calories (WSAVA recommendation). If your dog gets other treats too, give correspondingly less.
- Guide value per weight class – small up to 10 kg, medium 10–25 kg, large over 25 kg: AKC: one to three strawberries a day is a good starting point, depending on size; small dogs get fewer.
What's in it
- High in water (around 91%) and low in calories – a medium-sized strawberry has only about 4 kcal.
- Contain fibre, vitamin C and antioxidants.
- At just under 5 g of sugar per 100 g, lower in sugar than banana, apple or blueberries.
- Cut small and frozen, they make a summer snack.
What to watch out for
- Small dogs in particular can choke on whole strawberries – cut them into pieces or mash them.
- The leaves and stalk aren't toxic, but they can upset the stomach.
- Too many in one go can cause soft stools or diarrhoea.
- Some dogs are sensitive or allergic to them. After the first time, watch for itching, swelling or digestive problems.
- Tinned strawberries, strawberries in syrup, and strawberry yoghurt or ice cream contain sugar and sometimes xylitol (birch sugar), which is toxic to dogs.
- If your dog has diabetes, is overweight or has a sensitive stomach, talk to your vet first.
How to prepare strawberries
How to do it
- Wash them thoroughly
- Remove the leaves and stalk
- Cut into slices or small pieces
- Mash or purée them for small dogs
- Let frozen pieces thaw slightly first
Better not
- Strawberries in syrup or from a tin
- Strawberry yoghurt, strawberry ice cream or desserts
- Whole large strawberries for small dogs
- The green tops and stalks
How often?
As a small snack on the odd day – in small amounts, more often too. All treats together should make up no more than 10% of daily calories.
Frequently asked questions about strawberries
Can my dog eat strawberry tops?
Better not. The leaves and stalk aren't toxic, but they're hard to digest and can upset the stomach. Remove them before feeding.
Can dogs eat frozen strawberries?
Yes, in slices or small pieces and without sugar. Let them thaw slightly first so they aren't too hard.
Can puppies eat strawberries?
Yes – washed, without the green tops and in small pieces. Start with one or two small pieces and keep an eye on digestion.
Can my dog have strawberries every day?
In small amounts, that's fine for many healthy dogs. Because of the natural sugar, though, strawberries are mainly an occasional snack – all the more so if your dog is overweight.
Can dogs eat strawberry yoghurt or strawberry ice cream?
No. Both usually contain a lot of sugar and sometimes xylitol (birch sugar), which is toxic to dogs. Homemade is fine: a few pieces of strawberry in unsweetened natural yoghurt, if your dog tolerates dairy.
How many calories are in a strawberry?
A medium-sized strawberry weighs about 12 g and has around 4 kcal. So three strawberries provide just over 10 kcal – only a small part of the snack limit for most dogs.
My dog ate a whole punnet of strawberries – what now?
Strawberries aren't toxic. Diarrhoea or tummy ache are possible. Keep an eye on your dog; if it keeps vomiting, has severe diarrhoea or seems listless, call your vet.
My dog has a pollen allergy – can it have strawberries?
Test carefully. Some veterinary dermatologists suspect that strawberries and other fruit can cross-react with environmental allergens such as pollen. Start with just one piece and watch for increased itching; if in doubt, ask your vet.
Are strawberries good for overweight dogs?
They're among the lowest-calorie fruits. Even so, they count as treats – if your dog is clearly overweight or has diabetes, it's best to discuss snacks with your vet.
Recipes with strawberries
Similar foods
- YesFruitBlueberryFresh or frozen, washed and without sugar, in small amounts.See the answer
- In moderationFruitRaspberryFresh or frozen, without sugar and only a few berries a day.See the answer
- YesFruitBlackberryWashed, without stalks and in small amounts.See the answer
- YesFruitWatermelonOnly the flesh, without the seeds or rind, in small cubes.See the answer
- YesFruitAppleWithout the core, seeds and stalk, cut into slices or small pieces.See the answer
Sources
- Can Dogs Eat Strawberries? – American Kennel Club (AKC)
- Can Dogs Eat Strawberries? Benefits and Risks – PetMD (vet-reviewed)
- Strawberries, raw (SR Legacy, FDC 167762) – USDA FoodData Central
- Feeding treats to your dog – WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee (10% rule in the calculator)
Reviewed on · DoggoMeal editorial team
This page is no substitute for veterinary advice. Dogs with pre-existing conditions – for example of the kidneys, liver or pancreas, or with diabetes – and dogs with allergies often need their own rules. If your dog has symptoms or you're unsure, ask your vet.
Recipes that fit your dog
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- Recipes with gram amounts
- Allergy warnings
- Cooking with video
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