Can Cats Eat Strawberries as a Healthy Treat?

cat with strawberries — This feline is appropriately skeptical. Duet PandG / Shutterstock

Can cats eat strawberries? The short answer is yes: Strawberries are non-toxic to cats and generally safe in small amounts.

But because cats are obligate carnivores, strawberries and other fruits shouldn’t play a major role in your cat’s diet.

While strawberries offer some health benefits for humans, including vitamin C and antioxidant properties, they don’t do much for cats. That’s because cats make their own vitamin C and get most of their essential nutrients from animal-based proteins.

Are Strawberries Safe for Cats?

Strawberries are considered safe for cats when offered as a small portion and an occasional treat. One or two berries, cut into bite-sized pieces, is enough for most cats.

Feeding too many strawberries can introduce too much sugar into your cat’s diet and upset their digestive system.

Cats can eat strawberries, but not all cats will want to. If your feline friend turns up their nose, don’t push it; it’s not a necessary food. Stick with a meat-based diet to support your cat’s health and cellular function.

Potential Health Benefits (and Limits)

Strawberries contain fiber, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory properties that support healthy digestion and the immune system — in humans. While these nutrients are good in theory, your cat’s digestive system is not built to process large amounts of plant material.

Most cats won’t experience health benefits from eating strawberries, but a bite here and there isn’t harmful either. Think of strawberries as a fun, fresh fruit option, not a supplement.

What About Strawberry Leaves and Other Forms?

While strawberry leaves are not toxic to cats, they can be difficult to digest and might cause mild gastrointestinal upset, so it’s best to remove the leaves and stems before feeding your cat any strawberries. Also avoid giving strawberry yogurt or other strawberry-flavored human foods, which often contain sugar or artificial sweeteners that are bad for cats.

Excessive amounts of sugary fruits or sweet treats can cause gastrointestinal upset in cats (e.g., stomach pain, vomiting, or diarrhea). In rare cases, a cat might also have an allergic reaction to a new food like strawberries, which can result in symptoms such as sneezing, a runny nose, or watery eyes. Pet owners should always monitor for an allergic reaction or signs of gastrointestinal upset.

4 Tips for Feeding Strawberries Safely

Wash strawberries thoroughly to remove pesticides
Remove leaves and stems
Cut into small pieces to prevent a choking hazard
Introduce slowly to watch for an allergic reaction

If your cat shows interest in new foods, strawberries are one of the better human foods to try. But moderation is key. Too many strawberries can add excessive sugar to your cat’s system, and cats don’t need fruit to stay in good health.

Cat eats strawberries — It looks like someone took a bite out of this strawberry before offering it to their furry friend.
ALENA SHELEST / Shutterstock

Cats can eat strawberries, but that doesn’t mean they should. Feed your cat animal-based proteins as the foundation of their diet, and offer strawberries only as an occasional, fresh fruit treat.

If you have any concerns or if your cat reacts badly, consult your vet.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.