Most cat owners ask if cats can eat strawberries. Strawberries are a tasty and healthy fruit that human beings consume daily. Important to note is their dietary and digestion requirements when considering any new food on their menu.
Strawberries are a widely consumed fruit characterized by their beautiful colour, sweet flavour, and various health benefits. Vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, manganese, and folate are abundant. Moreover, strawberries are rich in antioxidants that prevent free radicals and reduce chronic diseases.
As strawberries are mostly edible for humans, the same cannot be applied to cats. A cat’s nutritional needs and digestion mechanisms are entirely different from a human’s, so not all food suitable for the latter can be given to the former. There are some aspects of consideration for the strawberries before giving them to your cat.
Obligate carnivores are obligate cats. This implies that their bodies are evolved to feed on meat. They can quickly break down animal protein through digestion and lack some enzymes needed to break down plant-based foods. Thus, the primary source of essential nutrients from which cats obtain nutrition is animals, as only meat and organs.
Throughout the animal kingdom, cats are not poisoned by strawberries despite having no real nutritional value. However, cats must have a high animal protein diet with limited carbohydrates. Feeding them fruits such as strawberries containing lots of natural sugar and carbohydrates can disrupt their delicate metabolism. Overdosing strawberries could cause digestive complications, such as diarrhoea and nausea.
In addition, some cats can be allergic or sensitive to certain foods, such as strawberries. It is not unusual for cats to be allergic to some fruits; some of these reactions result in vomiting, diarrhoea, and skin rashes. Suppose you observe any abnormal manifestation after your cat consumes strawberries. In that case, it is better to check with a veterinarian for the diagnostics of an allergy or sensitivity as its source.
Finally, although a stray cat can eat a strawberry without immediate consequences, this should not typically become part of its diet. Cats also require a specialized diet, which is best provided by formulated cat food tailored to meet their nutritional requirements. As you search for treatment options or if your cat requires additional variety in their diet, it is recommended that you speak with a veterinarian regarding the choice of food products to ensure their safety and appropriateness for consumption by cats.
