Why dogs can have it
Strawberries are not toxic to dogs. They are mostly water, contain fibre and vitamin C, and are low in calories, so a piece of strawberry makes a light treat.
Strawberries contain natural sugar, so give only a little and not every day. A small dog may try to swallow a large whole berry in one go, so it is better cut up.
Strawberry products are another matter. Desserts, jams and yoghurts contain sugar, and "sugar-free" products may contain xylitol, which is dangerous for dogs.
How to give it
- Wash the berries and pull off the green leaves and stalks.
- For a small dog, cut the berry into smaller pieces.
- Give fresh or frozen berries with nothing added.
- The first time, give very little and watch how your dog feels.
- Do not give strawberry jam, desserts with cream or sweetened yoghurts.
What to watch out for
- Too many strawberries can cause diarrhoea or an upset stomach.
- Natural sugar: take care with an overweight dog.
- A large whole berry can get stuck in a small dog's throat.
- "Sugar-free" products may contain xylitol, which is dangerous for dogs.
Different parts
Not every part of this food is equally safe.
-
Berry
SafeA washed ripe berry is fine in small pieces.
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Leaves and stalk
Not safeThe leaves are not toxic, but a dog does not need them and they can upset the stomach, so pull them off.
What to give instead
- Blueberries Yes, blueberries and bilberries are fine for dogs: give a few washed, unsweetened berries as an occasional treat. Safe
- Watermelon Yes, watermelon is fine for dogs: give small pieces of flesh without seeds or rind, especially as a cooling treat on a hot day. Safe
- Apples Yes, apples are fine for dogs: give small pieces without the core and seeds, as an occasional treat. Safe
- Pears Yes, pears are fine for dogs: give small pieces of ripe pear without the core, seeds or stalk. Safe
Looking for a treat?
The "Dog treats" category compares prices for 10,394 products across shops. It is a product category, not a recommendation of what to give.