There are so many things you can choose to feed your dog. And so many things that are poisonous. In fact, perfectly harmless fruit to humans (like grapes) can be fatal to dogs. So with this in mind, can german shepherds eat strawberries?
In this article, you’re going to find out whether they can, the health benefits and risks associated with strawberries, and how best to feed them to your german shepherd!
Table of Contents
Can German Shepherds Eat Strawberries?
German shepherds CAN eat strawberries, and when they’re given in moderation and as part of a balanced diet, they can actually be fantastic for their health.
So if you’re not sure whether you should let your german shepherd try strawberries, they’re rarely going to cause harm. (However, keep reading to find out when they can be dangerous.)
Why Are Strawberries Good For German Shepherds?
Just like with humans, there are a number of great health benefits from giving your german shepherd strawberries. For example, they’re a great source of vitamin C, antioxidants, fiber, manganese and folates!
Here’s why each one is beneficial in your german shepherd’s diet.
Vitamin C
- Vitamin C helps increase the number of antibodies in your german shepherd’s body, improving their immune system.
- It also increases the amount of interferon in their body which helps fight cancer, and also prevent it.
- It’s also an antioxidant that helps slow the aging process in your german shepherd’s cells.
(According to Whole Dog Journal.)
Antioxidant
- As previously mentioned, antioxidants are great at slowing the aging process of your german shepherd’s cells. They work by removing free radicals from the body which ages your german shepherd and weakens their immune system.
Fiber
- Fiber helps keep your german shepherd feeling fuller for longer. Which is great if they need to lose weight.
- Fiber ferments in your german shepherd’s tummy and turns into fatty acids. These fatty acids help to prevent bad bacteria from growing.
- Some types of fiber can also slow your german shepherd’s metabolism as well. This can help regulate their diabetes by leveling their blood sugar.
Manganese
- Manganese helps maintain your german shepherd’s joints and bones.
- It also helps metabolize protein and carbohydrates, generating energy.
- Lastly, it can’t be found meat, so strawberries can be a great way to get it into their diet.
(According to PetMD.)
Folate (Vitamin B9)
- Folate helps the body build new cells as well as generating old cells.
- It also helps german shepherds create new red blood cells.
- Folate has also been known to reduce the risk of cancer in dogs.
- Lastly, folate is also beneficial for pregnant german shepherds. It’s going to help the development of their puppies and has been known to reduce cleft palates.
(According to Wedgewood Pet.)
Are There Any Risks When Feeding Your German Shepherd Strawberries?
Too much of anything is going to be bad for your german shepherd, and the same is true with strawberries. If you do feed them too many, here’s what might happen.
Upset Stomach And Diarrhea
Of course, the most likely thing to happen is your german shepherd will have an upset stomach and diarrhea.
Fortunately, by simply laying off the strawberries, they’re going to be fine after about 24 hours. However, in the moment it can be quite unpleasant.
They Can Become Overweight
Strawberries are quite high in sugar, so it’s important you only give them to your german shepherd as a treat.
If you give your german shepherd strawberries too much then there’s always the chance that they’re going to become overweight. And once they’re overweight they are more likely to suffer from diseases like diabetes.
Caution With Diabetes
On the subject of diabetes, you should think twice about giving your german shepherd strawberries if they’re suffering from diabetes.
Once again, the high amount of sugar could end up causing problems for your dog. If you’re not sure about what to give them in their diet, consult your vet to be sure.
Thyroid Problems
There’s a chemical in strawberries called goitrogens that can cause trouble for your german shepherd. If their thyroid begins to have problems functioning you may notice that they seem a lot more lethargic and start to become overweight.
Allergic Reaction
Lastly, your german shepherd may be allergic to strawberries. Some of the common symptoms of an allergic reaction to strawberries are vomiting, diarrhea, and constant itching.
However, it is important to remember that an allergy to strawberries is extremely rare in german shepherds. If you do think this is the case though, make sure you take them to the vet.
(According to Certapet.)
How Should You Feed Your German Shepherd Strawberries?
There are lots of different ways you can feed your german shepherd strawberries. And while there are some great ideas listed below, don’t be afraid to experiment a little bit.
- Try mashing the strawberries up and adding them to your german shepherd’s meals. This will make the meals sweeter and give them a brand new taste!
- You can also freeze them in the summer. Your german shepherd will absolutely love this! And if you have a teething german shepherd puppy, frozen strawberries are going to be great at soothing them.
- Why not cut them up and add them to their KONG? this way they’re going to have to work for them when you’re not there, which will keep them entertained.
- And of course, you can just give them strawberries normally. Just make sure you prepare them properly first!
How Should You Prepare Strawberries For Your German Shepherd?
Because german shepherds are big dogs, not much preparation goes into feeding them strawberries. However, one thing you do want to be sure of is that you’re washing them thoroughly.
Often they can be covered in chemicals to make sure pests don’t land on them, however, these chemicals can be harmful to your pup over time.
As well as washing them, you should also remove the stalk as well. However, for german shepherds not much more needs to be done as they’re big dogs.
How Often Should You Feed German Shepherds Strawberries?
As a general rule of thumb, about 10% of your german shepherd’s diet should be treats and the other 90% should be their meals.
While you can fill up the 10% entirely with strawberries, that’s not recommended. They’re more likely to get an upset stomach, not to mention they’ll also get bored.
I like to feed my dog 2-3 strawberries a day, to make sure they’re not getting too many.
And remember, when you’re first introducing your german shepherd to strawberries, it’s best to start small and work your way up.
Are Other Forms Of Strawberries Alright?
You should only feed your german shepherd fresh strawberries. Jams, canned and other forms of strawberry aren’t good for them. A lot of the time they lose some of their nutrients and they’re also packed with a lot more sugar.
Interested In Training Your German Shepherd The Right Way?
If you haven’t trained your German Shepherd properly, then this is the perfect time to start. Whatever bad behavior your shepherd has, whether it’s barking at night or other bad behaviors, using the right training program is the key to having an obedient and happy pup.
The training program I love and highly recommend is Brain Training For Dogs.
With Brain Training For Dogs you’ll save yourself a ton of time and effort. Instead of banging your head against the wall trying to figure out why your dog won’t listen, you’ll follow a path that has been tried, tested, and most importantly, that’s given proven results. Not to mention the fact, you’ll be able to fit the course around your schedule, not fit your schedule around a trainer or obedience class.
So instead of worrying about whether they’re going to be well-behaved or not, you’ll only have to worry about how much fun you’ll have with them!
And in most cases it’s still going to be:
- Cheaper than hiring a professional.
- Cheaper than replacing everything they might break.
- And definitely cheaper than a lawsuit against you, if they decide to bite someone.
Just imagine how great it will feel to finally be able to trust your German Shepherd completely and never worry whether they’ll be naughty or not. Instead, you’ll have the peace of mind that you have a well-behaved pup, and the boundaries you set for them, will always be there, EVEN IF YOU’RE NOT.
And the best part is it also has a 60-day money-back guarantee! So there’s no reason not to give Brain Training For Dogs a try!
So if you’re tired of your dog’s bad behavior, or how they react around other people and pooches, then give it a try! You’ll be amazed by the results!
(You can also check out a full review here, to learn exactly what the course has to offer!)
Recap
You now know that strawberries can be a great treat for your german shepherd! Just make sure that you don’t feed them too many!
Here are some of the main points you should remember.
- Strawberries are great for german shepherds as they contain vitamin C, antioxidants, fiber, manganese, and folate.
- However, too many strawberries can cause an upset stomach and diarrhea, a dog becoming overweight, increased danger if your dog has diabetes, thyroid problems, and an allergic reaction.
- You can mush strawberries up, freeze them, or place them in your dogs KONG.
- Make sure you wash strawberries thoroughly before giving them to your german shepherd and remove the stalks
- Make sure treats only make up 10% of your dogs diet.
- Lastly, never feed your german shepherd any other form of strawberries.
If you liked this article or have any more questions leave a comment below. Otherwise, have a great day!
If you want to know more things you can feed your german shepherd then find out more about fruit such as oranges, watermelons, apples, and bananas.
