Yes, cats can eat strawberries because they are non-toxic. However, they don’t need strawberries in their diet.
If your pet wants to try them, serve only small amounts because they are high in carbs, sugars, and fiber.
Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they need meat or fish to survive.
Evolution adapted their systems for digesting and utilizing nutrients derived from flesh diets but not for digesting carbs, sugar, and fiber derived from plant sources.
Strawberries are good sources of vitamin C, folate, and potassium for humans. However, your cat’s digestive system can’t efficiently absorb them from strawberries because plant products have low digestibility for them.
Your pet will likely suffer digestive issues and nutritional deficiencies if you place her on a diet high in strawberries and other plant foods high in carbs, sugars, and fiber.
Cats don’t need strawberries in their diets
Cats are carnivores. They do best when raised on diets containing nutrients obtained from animal sources. Most commercial cat foods contain high proportions of digestible meat and fish.
They also have vitamins and minerals but low proportions of plant products, such as cereals and veggies.
While strawberries are technically non-toxic to felines, they don’t need them because they can source the nutrients they need from a flesh-based diet.
Many cats won’t want to eat strawberries if you served them because they prefer their meat and fish-based canned foods.
Feline taste buds are not sensitive to sweet taste, so sugary foods don’t tempt them. While humans enjoy sweet tastes, cats don’t care about them because their taste buds don’t respond to sugary treats.
However, if you notice that your cat wants to try strawberries, serve only small quantities as occasional treats.
Strawberries have high sugar contents
Strawberries have high sugar and carb content. Cats and other carnivores are not adapted to diets high in carbs and sugar because their natural flesh diets are low in these nutrients.
Large amounts of sugars and carbs in your pet’s diet predispose her to digestive disturbances because cats don’t digest them well.
Carbs and sugars also predispose cats to being overweight and high blood sugar. Uncontrolled high blood sugar may lead to diabetes.
You should never feed strawberries to cats already diagnosed with diabetes.
Fiber
Strawberries and other plant products have high fiber content. Cats and other carnivores cannot digest or utilize fibers. Only plant-eating animals (such as cattle and sheep) digest fiber.
Regularly serving your cat plant fiber may hurt their digestive systems. It can increase farting, intestinal obstruction, and other digestive problems.
How to serve your cat strawberries
You may serve your cat small amounts of strawberries as occasional treats if she likes them.
Wash them carefully, remove the fibrous stems and leaves, and cut them into small bits. You don’t want your pet to choke on large chunks. You may also add small quantities of the fruit to your cat’s meal. But avoid serving the fruits regularly.
Some cats may be allergic to certain plant foods, including strawberries. Thus, it is wise to serve your cat only tiny pieces the first time to check their tolerance.
However, it is better to consult your veterinarian before introducing your cat to new food.
What about strawberry yogurt?
Your cat may show interest in strawberry yogurt.
It is safe to serve your cat small quantities of the product. But ensure it does not contain artificial sweeteners, such as xylitol.
Also, avoid serving strawberry yogurt to lactose intolerant and diabetic cats.