Golden retrievers are irresistibly cute and dogs who are always ready for a snack. If you are a pet owner, you might know how difficult is it to not spoil your dog by giving them a bite of the food you eat.
Golden retrievers with their cute face will lure you into giving them a bite of your favorite snack, and in most cases, we wouldn’t mind after it is a safe food to eat, right? Did you know that not every snack is safe for dogs? What about strawberries? Can Golden retrievers eat strawberries? Should Golden retrievers be given strawberries?
Can golden retrievers eat strawberries? Yes, Golden retrievers can be given strawberries in limited quantities. It is important to note that strawberries are one among the few fruits which a dog can safely eat while giving them nutritional benefits too.
Strawberries are rich in fibers that are beneficial in digestion, and omega-3 aiding skin and coat health. Apart from these, strawberries are rich in Vitamins C, B6, B1, K, Potassium, and iodine. Though there are many health benefits of feeding strawberries to Golden retrievers, it has to be kept in mind that strawberries should only be fed in limited quantities to them.
In this article, we will have a look at the things to know before feeding strawberries to Golden retrievers. Let’s get going!
What are the benefits of feeding strawberries to Golden retrievers?
Not just the Golden retrievers, dogs, in general, have a higher rate of metabolism when compared to humans.
Owing to this, they have faster blood circulation and higher body temperature than humans, which means that retrievers need more care in energy supply. Being a high vitamin and fiber-rich fruit, strawberries can be an ideal supplement to feed your Golden retriever.
Apart from being an effective energy supplement, strawberries are also known to be beneficial to Golden retrievers owing to the high content of Vitamin C.
This high level of Vitamin C in strawberries helps increase the immunity of Golden retrievers, keeping them healthy. Apart from being a supplement to improve immunity, strawberries are rich in antioxidants that can fight free radicals in the dog’s body.
If you didn’t know, free radicals are the unstable molecules that are considered to be the primary cause of cancer in Dogs. When it comes to Golden retrievers, they are more prone to end up having cancer. Strawberries being rich in antioxidants greatly reduces the chance of having cancer.
Lastly, strawberries are found to be rich in anti-inflammatory agents that can successfully counter swelling in a dog’s body caused because of allergies.
Dogs, especially Golden retrievers, are prone to allergic reactions from natural allergens like bug bites, pollens, or even from the food they eat.
These allergies, in most cases, can result in inflammation and swelling on its body. Apart from countering the swelling caused by allergies, anti-inflammatory agents in strawberries are also found to be successful in treating inflammation and swelling caused due to arthritis.
It is also important to note that strawberries, apart from being a health supplement, can also keep your Golden retriever’s teeth clean by breaking up the yellow stains that are commonly seen on its teeth!
How can I safely feed strawberries to golden retrievers?
Natural strawberries are not toxic to dogs, irrespective of how you feed them to your dogs. For instance, it is safe to feed both fresh or frozen strawberries, or you can even make a homemade strawberry recipe to feed them.
Always keep in mind that when making a homemade strawberry recipe to feed your dogs, it is always the best to keep it less sweet.
Similarly, if you are giving fresh strawberries to your golden retriever, make sure that you peel off the leaves at the top. Though the size of each strawberry is fit for a single bite, take time to cut them into small pieces for the dog to digest it easily. Also, if your retriever is a baby, just mash up or make a puree of strawberry and add to its food.
How many strawberries can I feed my golden retriever, and how often can I feed them?
As always, too much of anything can be bad. Though strawberries are safe and have got immense health benefits, they should still be fed in limited quantities. This means that strawberries should not be a staple diet; neither should it be a part of your dog’s regular diet.
When you feed strawberries in excess to an adult golden retriever, he/she will most probably have difficulty in digesting it. It can even lead to bloating and diarrhea.
Ideally, strawberries should be only given to retrievers and other dogs as a treat or as a healthy snack once in a while. Similarly, it is advised not to feed strawberries to puppies who are less than two months old.
Are there any risks involved in feeding strawberries to dogs?
Though strawberries are safe for consumption by dogs, there are always hidden risks involved. For instance, some Golden retrievers are found to be allergic to strawberries, and food allergies can be pretty severe in dogs. In this section, we will have a look at the risks involved in feeding strawberries to Golden retrievers.
Most people believe that dogs are carnivorous animals, but it isn’t true. Dogs are omnivorous animals who get their nutrition equally from meat, fruits, and vegetables. Which makes them so fond of fruits that they will eat how much ever fruits you feed them.
As always, too much of anything is always bad, and similarly, when you feed them strawberries in excess, you risk them getting digestive issues. Always make sure that you give them strawberries as a treat and not as a part of their regular diet.
Similarly, you should also avoid feeding the Golden retrievers canned or processed strawberries. In fact, not just strawberries, you should avoid feeding canned or processed food to dogs in general. The preservatives and flavors that are added to these preserved and canned food can cause severe health issues to your dogs.
It is always advised to contact your vet on deciding how much strawberries you can feed your Golden retriever and how often you can safely feed them.
Can I feed processed strawberries to my golden retriever?
No, you shouldn’t feed processed or canned strawberries to your golden retriever. In fact, not just strawberries, you should avoid feeding canned or processed food to dogs in general.
When it comes to feeding processed and canned strawberries, there will obviously be preservatives and artificial flavors in them which can’t be digested by a dog. Apart from digestive issues, these artificial flavors and preservatives can cause serious health issues to dogs.
For instance, the artificial flavor Xylitol that’s added to processed food as a sweetening agent can enhance Insulin production in dogs. Increased production of insulin can eventually lead to a rapid lowering of blood sugar levels and even death in the worst case.
That being said, your golden retriever wouldn’t hesitate to eat processed strawberries. In most cases, they would love them more than the natural strawberries because of the added flavors.
Can I feed strawberries to golden retriever puppies?
No, you shouldn’t feed strawberries to Golden retriever puppies. Unlike an adult dog, a puppy’s digestive system needs adequate time to accustom itself to the new food items.
As a puppy, its digestive system mainly produces lactase, an enzyme that is needed to digest its mom’s milk. So when you feed strawberries to a retriever puppy or any puppy for that case, they will have difficulty in digesting.
The best way to go about feeding strawberries to puppies would be to wait till they are at least two months old. Then slowly introduce small pieces of strawberries to them in small quantities and gradually increase the frequency of feeding.
Make sure that the puppy is not allergic to strawberries if they show any signs of an allergic reaction. If they show signs of an allergic reaction, take them to a vet ASAP!
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