Strawberries are healthy and nutritious fruits. We include them in different dishes such as cakes, pastries or eat them as they are. The question is, are they also good for a Great Dane and can they also eat them as a nutritional snack?
Can Great Danes eat strawberries? Yes, Great Danes can eat strawberries. Strawberries are a safe and nutritious fruit that supports the health of a dog. They should however be provided moderately and occasionally to a Great Dane and not as a main meal because of the potential health hazard of consuming too much. There are safe ways of incorporating this nutritious tasty fruit into your dog’s diet.
In this post, we will discuss the nutritional facts of strawberries, the benefits to a Great Dane’s health, the risk associated with eating them, and how to safely feed them strawberries.
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Nutritional Facts And Benefits of Strawberries
Strawberries are fruits that are packed with nutrients that support the overall health of a dog.
They are rich in vitamin C, fiber, folic acid, potassium, and antioxidants. The range of nutrients include vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, vitamin C, E, K, and Omega-3 fatty acids. The minerals include potassium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, and potassium.
Strawberries are low in calories which means that the inclusion of them in a dog’s diet does not lead to weight gain therefore it helps in weight management.
The fiber within strawberries supports the overall digestive health by supporting proper function such as promoting regular bowel movement and easing diarrhea or constipation.
Vitamin C as an antioxidant helps reduce inflammation, supports muscle and bone health as well as cognitive health. Both calcium and phosphorus support teeth and nail health.
Vitamin C together with the other powerful antioxidants which include ellagic acid, anthocyanins, kaempferol, and quercetin protects against free radicals in the body which reduces inflammation and enhances cell health.
What Are The Potential Risks of Consuming Strawberries?
Although strawberries are tasty and nutritious as a treat for a Great Dane, too much of them cause a few health risks. The following are the health risks for a Great Dane from consumption of too many strawberries:
Upset stomach
Eating too many strawberries can cause stomach upset because a dog’s stomach such as a Great Danes cannot properly handle human food.
Strawberries also have high levels of natural sugar which also contributes to stomach upsets and therefore it is always best to feed them a few at a time to avoid this.
Harmful effects from sugar intake
Store-bought canned strawberries have excess sugar, sweeteners such as xylitol, preservatives, chemicals, or chocolate which are toxic to dogs.
Sugar is unhealthy for a Great Dane because it leads to stomach upsets, diarrhea, diabetes, weight gain, metabolic changes, and dental cavities in the long-term.
Allergic reaction
Allergic reactions to strawberries are not common but can happen.
Signs include sneezing, coughing, swelling up, hives, or difficulty in breathing.
If you happen to notice any of these after feeding your Great Dane strawberries immediately contact your vet.
Also, some medical conditions are made worse by the consumption of strawberries therefore it is best to play safe and consult your vet before feeding your Great Dane strawberries.
Recommended Reading: Can Great Danes eat avocado?
How To Feed Strawberries To A Great Dane
Strawberries should always be provided in moderation to a Great Dane and also always ask your vet before changing or introducing new dog food or human food to your dog.
The vet will advise on the appropriate quantity to serve best for your dog. This will ensure that you are safely feeding your dog this nutritious fruit.
Some tips to keep in mind when feeding strawberries to your Great Dane are:
- Provide organic strawberries that lack high amounts of herbicides or pesticides. Avoid feeding them canned strawberries which contain sugar and other additives that may be harmful to your dog.
- Start them off in small quantities and observe any reactions or digestive upset.
- Feed your dog strawberries in moderation by providing a few at a time.
Strawberries can be included in your Great Dane’s diet by:
- Mixing them with their food.
Strawberries are soft and can be cut up, mashed, or eaten whole by mixing them with their regular dog food.
This will provide a tasty and nutritious meal that your dog can enjoy.
- Provide as a treat alternative
Strawberries can occasionally be used as a substitute for your dog’s treats.
This is a great way of incorporating them into your dog’s diet for nutritional benefits.
The strawberries can also be frozen and provided as a cool snack during the summer hot days.
Dog treats with strawberries are also available. Nulo is a healthy dog treat from Amazon that is a nutritious, low-calorie strawberry treat for dogs.
- Blended with other fruits
Apart from eating whole strawberries as they are or mixed in their food or treats, another way of feeding Great Dane strawberries is to blend them into a smoothie together with other self healthy fruits that are safe for them to eat.
This will provide added nutrients that will be beneficial to your dog.
Conclusion: Can Great Danes eat strawberries?
Strawberries are a healthy nutritious addition to a Great Danes diet. They are safe for them as an occasional treat for the nutritional benefit. Caution should however be taken not to feed them large quantities of the strawberries because of the negative side effects of consuming too much of them.
As a dog owner, also always check with your vet before introducing new food to your dog to ensure you are safely feeding it to them.
I hope this article helped you know whether Great Danes can eat strawberries, the risk associated with eating them, and how to feed them strawberries.
By following the different methods to have strawberries in their diet, you should be able to safely feed your Great Dane some strawberries as a healthy nutritious snack or treat.