Contrary to their appearance, poodles are highly energetic & fun-loving dogs. Their energy levels can vary anywhere from moderate to high, and they need to be kept on a highly nutritious diet. Ideally, a poodle should be kept on a diet that ensures an adequate supply of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals.
This is where fruits such as strawberries come in handy because of their high nutrient value. But the question is whether it is safe to feed them fruits? In this article, we will focus more on whether poodles can eat strawberries or not?
So, can poodles eat strawberries? Yes, poodles can eat strawberries, and it is good for them too. Apart from being a tasty fruit, strawberries are rich in nutrients that are vital for a poodle. Being a fruit with low sugar and fat, strawberries do not pose the threat of obesity or diabetes in poodles either.
The benefits of feeding strawberries to poodles are not just limited to these. That being said, it is important to keep in mind that strawberries should only be fed to poodles as a supplement or occasional treat.
In this article, we will have a look at the benefits of feeding strawberries to poodles and other interesting facts about it.
Let’s get going!
Benefits of feeding strawberries to poodles
Strawberry is a highly nutritious fruit that can help your poodle stay healthy. Due to its nutritional value, strawberries make an excellent treat to dogs. In this section, we will have a look at the benefits of feeding strawberries.
An ideal alternative to unhealthy treats
Poodles are highly social dogs, and they prefer spending most of the time indoors with the family, which means that they are going to expect some treat from you every once in a while.
This is where strawberries and other fruits come in handy. Strawberries being yummy can be considered to be a tasty yet healthy snack.
Strawberries are good for their skin
If you didn’t know, poodles are prone to a variety of skin diseases and allergies. These diseases can eventually lead to excessive hair loss and skin allergies in them. Strawberries are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids that are found to be effective against skin diseases and allergies.
Strawberries are rich in antioxidants
Strawberries are fruits that have earned itself a place in the top 20 antioxidant-rich edible fruits. These yummy fruits are rich in antioxidants such as carotenoids, phenolics, vitamins, anthocyanins, and flavonoids.
Because of this nutritional benefit, most vets recommend feeding strawberries to senior poodles. The antioxidants in strawberries effectively reduce oxidative stress and, subsequently, the risk of ailments such as arthritis, kidney, and heart failure in dogs.
Strawberries are good for dental health.
If not fed in excess, strawberries are found to be good for dental health in dogs. Strawberries are rich in Vitamin C that can boost the poodle’s immune system to fight gum diseases and inflammation that are caused by bacteria.
Strawberries are also found to be capable of keeping your poodle’s teeth clean by removing the plaque from its teeth.
Rich in vital nutrients
Strawberries are rich in various vital nutrients that are essential for a poodle. They are rich in Vitamin C, Manganese, Vitamin B9, and Potassium. Apart from these, strawberries are also found to be an excellent supplement of iron, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, and vitamins B6, K, and E.
Good for digestion
Strawberries are rich in edible fibers. It is estimated that 100gms of strawberry contains almost 2gms of both soluble and insoluble edible fiber. These fibers in strawberries are good for proper digestion and also is a remedy for constipation.
Other health benefits of feeding strawberries are
- Improves antioxidant levels in the blood.
- Reduces oxidative stress.
- Improve vascular function.
- Reduces LDL cholesterol levels in the body.
When are strawberries bad to poodles?
It is essential to keep in mind that strawberries are only good for poodles as long as they are fed in limited quantities.
Not just strawberries, any fruit that is fed in excess can have a detrimental effect on your poodle, especially indigestion. As said earlier, strawberries are rich in fibers, which in excess can cause severe diarrhea in poodles.
Also, if you have a strawberry farm in your backyard, keep an eye out for your poodles. The chances are that they might sneak into the garden for the yummy strawberries.
You also need to be extremely careful if you are using pesticides in the garden. In that case, it is advisable to fence off the area and not let your poodle anywhere near the garden.
The pesticides that are used in farming are highly toxic to dogs, and in worst cases, it can even become life-threatening. This is why you need to ensure that you clean the strawberries thoroughly before feeding them to your poodles.
How to safely feed strawberries to poodles?
The first thing to keep in mind is that strawberries should only be fed as an occasional treat or as a nutrient supplement. Ideally, strawberries should not make up more than 5% of their fresh diet for young poodles. You can increase it to 10% in the case of senior poodles.
Poodles should only be fresh strawberries. Clean the strawberries thoroughly to remove even the minute traces of pesticides from it.
To be on the safer side, it is also advised to cut the strawberries into small pieces before feeding them. We ask you to do this to avoid the risk of choking while the poodles eat the berries.
For pups, you can mush two or three strawberries and mix it with their regular diet. Always lookout for signs of discomfort or indigestion when you feed strawberries to pups.
Can I feed canned strawberries to my poodles?
No, you shouldn’t feed canned strawberries to poodles. Not just strawberries, you shouldn’t feed them any canned fruits or processed food items. Most canned food contains excess sugar, syrup, sweeteners, preservatives, and chemicals that are harmful to the dogs.
But the main culprit is the artificial sweeteners that are used in canned food items. These sweeteners contain a chemical called Xylitol. Xylitol is very toxic to dogs that even traces of it in their food can cause seizures, liver failure, or death in worst cases.
Not just canned strawberries, you should avoid feeding them every processed food item. Remember that just because something is safe for us doesn’t mean it is safe for your dogs.
Can I feed strawberries to poodle pups?
You shouldn’t feed your pups strawberries or any other fruits until they are three months old. Once they are three months old, start by giving them small pieces of strawberries and look for any symptoms of allergic reactions. If everything looks okay, you can give strawberries to them once in a while.
It is advised to mush the strawberries before feeding them to the puppies to avoid the risk of choking. Also, make sure that you clean the strawberries properly before feeding.
Other fruits that I can feed my poodles
Not just strawberries, there are other fruits which poodles can eat. Let us have a look at the other fruits that you can feed your poodles.
- Apricots – They are rich in Vitamin A & C, Potassium and beta carotenes
- Bananas – Rich in potassium
- Blackberries – Rich in antioxidants similar to blueberries
- Cranberries – Rich in vitamin C, fiber and manganese
Conclusion: Can Poodles Eat Strawberries?
There are a lot of benefits in feeding fruits to dogs if they are fed in limited quantities. Before introducing any new fruit to your poodle’s diet, you need to make sure that the poodle is not allergic to it. Similarly, in the case of senior dogs, you should always consult a vet before making changes to their diet.
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