We all become bored when eating the same thing each day. Unsurprisingly, your beagle is no exception. You may want to explore what foods your beagle can eat, either as a treat or as a diet staple. Humans and even wild squirrels love strawberries – but can your beagle eat strawberries?
Strawberries are safe for beagles to eat. They are high in fibers, and vitamin C. Strawberries are a good source of antioxidants that can help detoxify their liver. Although strawberries are not toxic for beagles, they contain natural sugar that can cause tooth decay and an upset stomach if not given in moderation.
Benefits of Strawberries for a Beagle
Strawberries are bright red with an irresistible texture and sweetness. Unlike sweets and other artificial sources of flavor, strawberries have no added sweeteners, making them a healthy snack for your beagle. Strawberries contain antioxidants, fiber, and vitamin C.
Low-calorie snacks can reduce the chances of your beagle overindulging, and any other implications which arise from canine obesity. If you train your beagle with strawberries, they will thank you for the variety, and the low calorie treat.
The antioxidants in strawberries can protect your beagle against heart disease, and the fiber ensures that your beagle’s bowel movements are regular. Fibre also reduces the incidence of diabetes and IBS.
Safe ways to feed Strawberries
Like any new food, you should introduce strawberries into your beagle’s diet in small amounts. This will allow you to monitor how his body reacts to this new fruit. Notice the poop of your beagle the next day; strawberries may irritate some sensitive Bowles so make sure t
When you give the strawberries to your beagle, make sure you rinse them first. Cleaning the strawberries will get rid of any bits of dirt or chemical fertilizers.
Once you know that strawberry is safe for your pooch, you should serve it to his chopped up, to reduce any choking risk. Your beagle will prefer sweet to sour strawberries – but you can offer them both and see what type they chose.
You can use a blender to puree the strawberry, making it easier to avoid unnecessary choking. You can puree strawberries with other vegetables that are safe for beagles and create a ‘doggy cocktail.’ For a special twist, add your doggy cocktail in the freezer to make a doggy ice lolly. You can even freeze it in his kong. Watch your beagle be entertained for some time as he enjoys tasty flavored ice treat.
Make sure your pooch doesn’t overindulge in strawberries, as they contain natural sugar, which is not toxic, but too much of it is not suitable for a beagle’s health.
How NOT to feed strawberries to your beagle
Although strawberry syrup is delicious for humans, it is a big ‘no no’ to feed it to your beagle. Strawberry syrup is strawberries that have been stewed in sugar and other ingredients – the sugar content is way too high for a canine.
Many syrups contain xylitol. Xylitol is an additive that enhances the taste of syrup for humans. However, for your beagle, it can be dangerous, even fatal. Beagles digestive systems cannot handle xylitol and can lead to liver failure.
Before feeding any processor human food, make sure it does not contain xylitol.
Apart from that, do not feed strawberries without cutting it in small pieces, especially if your beagle is a puppy. Feeding the whole strawberry to your pooch has a risk of choking.
Portion sizes
The ideal calorie intake for a beagle depends on various factors like his metabolism, his age, amount of exercise he gets, and also his energy level.
I usually feed no more than five strawberries in a day to my 2-year-old beagle. Strawberries should be used as treats and should not be fed more than 5% of a beagle’s total calories in a day.
However, I will highly advise you to consult your veterinarian and find out what quantity is safe for your pooch.
Make sure to always feed your beagle a balanced diet with treats in moderation. Even natural treats like fruits can aggravate your pooch’s stomach.
Are all berries safe for Beagles
No, not all berries. These are some of the berries that you CAN feed your beagle:
- Blueberries
- Blackberries
- Raspberries
Be careful of berries or any other fruit with large pits. Once your beagle acquires a taste for berries, they may be tempted to steal anything resembling a juicy strawberry from the kitchen side. Make sure you keep berries and food that resembles berries safely tucked away from your beagle’s keen sense of smell.
As I said, not all berries are safe for your beagle. Here are a few berries that you should never allow beagles to eat as they can be dangerous for their health.
- Cherries
- Baneberries
- Poke Berries
- Mistletoe berries
- Holly Berries
- Juniper Berries
Final Thoughts
So, that’s all you need to know about your beagle’s sweet tooth for strawberry. Strawberries are a low calory snack that can give your beagle many different health benefits. Unfortunately, you still have to refrain from feeding your beagle strawberries as their main diet staple – as dog food contains the complete nutrition of a beagles diet.
Your beagle may get a taste for sweet strawberries, so make sure you keep big berries with a pit far out of your beagle’s sight.
Your beagle will thank you if you take the extra time and effort to include variety within their diet.