Berry Picking: Strawberries for Dogs

While the strawberry season has passed in many parts of the United States, they’re still pretty widely available in grocery stores. Not only are these sweet treats great for you and delicious when added to big salads or strawberry shortcakes but your pup can (and should) enjoy them as well. We break down why (and how) to share these delicious berries with your best bud!

Health benefits of strawberries for dogs

1. Antioxidants

Like most fruit and vegetables, strawberries are loaded with antioxidants that help keep your pet healthy. In addition to antioxidants, strawberries have a high vitamin C content as well. Making them a delicious way to get a vitamin boost.

2. Lower in sugars

As far as fruit goes, strawberries (and blueberries) are lower in sugar, making them an appropriate treat for pups who are watching their weight. Swap a few strawberry slices for some higher calorie treats if your pup is looking to lose a pound or two.

3. Filled with fiber

Fiber helps keep your pup feeling full after meals and their digestive systems running smoothly. A few strawberry pieces on top of their food or as a snack are a great way to keep your pup feeling good and healthy and keep things moving in their digestive tract.

How to feed your dog strawberries

Before you feed your pup a bowl of berries, we offer a few tips to help you make sure you’re giving them to your pup safely.

1. Determine an appropriate portion

A small dog will not be able to eat as many as a larger breed. Remember that strawberries do still have naturally occurring sugar, so they should be used as a treat and not a meal replacement.

2. Cut into bite-size pieces

Some dogs don’t like to take big bites (and that can be a choking hazard) so cut your dog’s strawberries into small bites for them before serving. You don’t have to cut the tops off though – some pups love to chow down on the greens and that is perfectly okay to allow them to do!

3. Freeze (optional)

If the weather where you are is unseasonably warm, frozen strawberries can help keep your pet cool. Wash and freeze your own strawberries of just purchase the already frozen variety. If you buy your strawberries frozen, just make sure they aren’t sweetened. Your pup doesn’t need the extra sugar. Frozen strawberries are also a great way to offer your pup strawberries all year round. In the winter, frozen strawberries will be less expensive and better quality than what you can buy fresh. The out-of-season strawberries tend to lack some of the sweet juiciness you get from purchasing in peak season.

Dog treat recipes starring strawberries

Feeling a little more creative and want to do some baking for your pup? Here are some fun recipes to try starring your pup’s new favorite treat: The strawberry!

Layered pupsicles

You can make fun, layered pupsicles using plain yogurt, strawberries, and blueberries

What you’ll need:

• Plain Yogurt
• A handful of strawberries
• A handful of blueberries
• Honey
• Ice cube trays or popsicle molds
• A blender

What you’ll do:
Add the strawberries and a scoop (a few tablespoons) of yogurt to your blender and puree. If it’s too thick you can add some water and if it’s too tart, add a little honey. You don’t want these to be too sweet for your pup so remember that when tasting your creation. Pour the mixture into your ice cube trays or popsicle molds (we love these paw-shaped molds) and rinse your blender – it doesn’t have to be perfectly clean.

Add your blueberries to your blender along with some more yogurt and blend. Check thickness and sweetness and adjust as needed as you did with the strawberry layer. Pour your blueberry layer over the strawberry layer – it’s ok if the layers mix a bit. If you want true separation, you can freeze the strawberry layer for a few hours before adding the blueberry layer but trust us, your pup won’t really care. If you want a white layer too, you can use the remaining yogurt to make a third layer.

Freeze your treats until they’re solid, then invite your pup to chow down!

Strawberry shortcake

What you’ll need:

• Whipped cream of your choice (you can use a coconut-based whip cream if your dog is lactose intolerant)
• Sliced strawberries
• Two round or bone-shaped dog treats – we recommend Lazy Dog Cookie Company Banana Buddies or Old Mother Hubbard Classic P-Nuttier bones.

What you’ll do:
Layer a treat, the whipped cream, some strawberries, a second treat, more whipped cream, and strawberries. Remember to keep the portion size appropriate for your pup’s size. (Smaller dogs use less of each ingredient). Serve to your pup and let them chow down!

Strawberry cheesecake

What you’ll need:

• Sliced strawberries
• Cream Cheese (slightly softened)
• Crushed dog treat (choose something with a neutral or birthday cake flavor we recommend Bocce’s Bakery Unicorn Shake or Birthday Cake flavors)
• A small ramekin or dish

What you’ll do:
Crush your dog treats if you haven’t already. This is also a great way to use broken treats and the crumbs at the bottom of a bag. Add your crushed treats to the bottom of your ramekin. Then Layer on some of your cream cheese to cover the cookie “crust” you’ve made. Finally, top with sliced strawberries. You can sprinkle any extra treat crumbs on top for more garnish if you like. Serve immediately and watch your pup chow down.

Fruit salad (perfect for sharing)

We thought it would be nice to include a recipe you can share with your pup. You might want to make a slightly larger batch of this one so you have some for you as well. It can be stored in the fridge for a few days after making, how long will depend on the freshness of your fruit so choose the freshest available.

Feel free to edit our recipe to include the things you and your pup like most, and take out anything you both don’t enjoy. Just remember – no grapes!

What you’ll need:

• Strawberries
• Mango (no pit!)
• Blueberries
• Banana
• Watermelon (preferably seedless)
• Mint leaves (optional)

What you’ll do:
Cut all fruit into bite-sized pieces and mix well. If you are including bananas, you may want to just slice those on top of your portion so they don’t turn brown in the refrigerator. Top your salad with some fresh mint leaves so you feel fancy and both have some nice fresh breath when you’re done snacking.

Sharing a healthy snack like strawberries is a great way to bond with your dog. How do you and your pup enjoy snacking together. Take a photo and share it on Instagram, and don’t forget to tag us so we can see!

The Ollie blog is devoted to helping pet parents lead healthier lives with their pups. If you want to learn more about our fresh, human-grade food, check out MyOllie.com.