Almost all fruits are good for them, but can cats eat strawberry leaves? If your cat likes nibbling in your fruit garden, you should know this!
Cats are carnivores, and while fruit doesn’t form part of their diet in the wild, it’s still a good idea to include some in their weekly menu. Strawberries are versatile, and you can serve them to your cat in many ways, but what about the leaves?
IMPORTANT: At stuffaboutcats.com, we regularly consult with licensed veterinarians and other industry experts. However, the information found on stuffaboutcats.com should not be viewed as veterinary advice. We do our best to help you better understand your cats, but the information on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance.
In this article, I share how safe strawberry leaves are for cats so you’ll know whether to speed them to a vet when they ate some or not!
Can Cats Eat Strawberry Leaves?
Strawberry leaves are non-toxic and safe for cats to eat, but since the leaves are sharp and prickly, you should rather keep your pet away from them.
Although they won’t kill your kitty, strawberry leaves can cause irritation in their eyes, mouth, nose, and throat. If you notice your cat sneezing or their eyes appear teary, it might indicate an adverse reaction.
Spoiled strawberry leaves, on the other hand, can possibly harm your cat. When the leaves start going bad, they release toxins.
What Can Happen If My Cat Eats Too Much Strawberry Leaves?
Your cat can have an allergic reaction to strawberry leaves, especially when they eat too much. When this happens, they might develop irritation on their skin or get inflammation in their mouth and nose.
Too many strawberry leaves can also cause a blockage in your cat’s digestive tract leading to gastrointestinal upset. Your cat may start vomiting or be constipated, which can be very painful.
The Nutritional Value Of Strawberry Leaves For Cats
Strawberry leaves have no nutritional value for cats and shouldn’t be given as a meal. If your cat does nibble on some, they could experience these benefits:
Antioxidants
Strawberries and their leaves are a great source of antioxidants, which help protect your cat’s cells against the effects of harmful molecules.
The fresher the strawberry and its leaves, the higher the number of antioxidants it contains.
Antimicrobial Effects
Studies have found that strawberry leaves and the top of a strawberry have polyphenols that can defend a cat’s body against microbes such as parasites and bacteria. This will lower your cat’s chance of illnesses and infections.
Can I Feed My Cat Strawberries?
Yes, you can feed your cat strawberries.
Strawberries are non-toxic and can improve your cat’s health. This yummy fruit is filled with vitamins and antioxidants that can help your cat’s immune system and lower their cholesterol. Strawberries also improve feline digestion.
Just remember to not serve too much fruit to your cat. Strawberries contain high amounts of sugar that aren’t healthy for them. You should only feed it to your kitty as a treat and ensure that it doesn’t make up more than 10% of your feline’s daily calorie intake.
How To Feed Strawberries To Your Cat
If you think your cat will enjoy the taste of strawberries, you shouldn’t just give them one and see what they do. There are some precautions that you should take to ensure that it’s a safe treat.
Remove the Stem and Leaves
Start by removing the strawberry stem and leaves. Don’t give your cat the whole strawberry with these parts attached because they can cause irritation in your feline’s mouth, nose, and eyes.
Wash The Strawberry
Always wash strawberries before serving them to your cat. A cold water wash will remove many pesticides and chemicals that might be on the fruit.
Cut It Into Pieces
To help your kitty bite into a strawberry and digest it easier, cut it into small pieces. They’ll have trouble eating a whole fruit, and big pieces could be a choking hazard.
Never Force Feed Your Cat
Cats usually don’t like the taste of strawberries, and if yours do not, you shouldn’t force them to eat it. They may just smell it or rub against it to experience the new fruit.
Intervals
Don’t give your cat too many strawberries at once. You need to watch out for any signs of an allergy or an adverse reaction before feeding them more. You can be on the lookout for sneezing, vomiting, and teary eyes after serving your kitty strawberries for the first time.
Portions
You can safely give your cat 2 to 3 strawberries a week. More can cause diabetes or gastrointestinal distress because cats can’t digest the sugar as humans do.
Remember to look out for any symptoms of an allergic reaction, inflammation, or irritation before continuing to feed your cat strawberries. If they already have a problem with sugar, you should refrain from serving your feline high-sugar fruits like strawberries.
In Summary
Strawberries and their leaves are both safe for cats to eat, but you should never feed them strawberry leaves on purpose. While it has some minor health benefits, it can cause gastrointestinal issues, and risking this is just not worth it.
If your kitty nibbles on some strawberry leaves in your garden, you don’t have to panic. They’ll know when to stop eating it, and the tiny amount they ingest won’t cause trouble. You should just keep an eye on them for signs of irritation or inflammation.
I hope you found your answer in this article! If you have any more questions about what cats can eat, leave them in the comments for me to answer.
Can cats eat strawberry yogurt?
Store-bought strawberry yogurt is not safe for cats to eat. It contains tons of additives that may harm your pet.
Can cats eat strawberry jelly?
Strawberry jelly is typically safe for cats to eat. You should just feed it to them in moderation because it is high in sugar.
Are strawberries toxic to cats?
No.
Strawberries aren't toxic to cats, and it's perfectly safe to feed them this sweet treat in moderation.
Can cats eat food with strawberry flavor?
No.
It's best to not give your cat anything that contains strawberry flavoring. One of the ingredients in it is xylitol which is unsafe for felines.
Read more about Is Peanut Butter Bad For Cats?