Have you ever wondered if you could feed your Boston Terrier strawberries?
Some fruits are safe for Bostons to eat, whereas other fruits are not safe!
It is always best to make sure whatever you are feeding your Boston is safe for them to eat. Prior to feeding any people food to your Boston, it is best to consult with your veterinarian to make sure it is safe for your Boston.
In this article, we will explore the health benefits and risks of feeding strawberries to your Boston Terrier.
Is It Safe For Boston Terriers To Eat Strawberries?
Yes, it is safe for most Boston Terriers to eat strawberries as a treat.
That being said, feeding strawberries should always be done in moderation. Also, you should avoid feeding canned strawberries or strawberries in syrup as these products might contain xylitol, a dangerous ingredient that can be fatal to dogs.
Fresh strawberries can be given as an occasional treat to your Boston Terrier. If you are considering regularly incorporating strawberries into your Boston’s diet, you should first consult with a veterinarian.
Bostons with certain health conditions should avoid eating strawberries. If your Boston has any health conditions, you should consult with your veterinarian before feeding any new treat or food.
Boston Terriers may be prone to developing diabetes, and Bostons that are diabetic should not be fed strawberries as they are very high in sugar and can cause blood sugar to spike.
In addition, if your Boston is on a special prescription diet, you should consult with your veterinarian prior to giving your Boston strawberries.
How Many Strawberries Can You Feed Your Boston Terrier?
I would recommend feeding no more than a few strawberries per day to your Boston Terrier. While high in beneficial nutrients, strawberries are also high in sugar.
Because Boston Terriers seem to be prone to developing diabetes, prolonged high intake of sugar could increase your Boston’s risk of diabetes.
Can you guess the top 5 favorite fruits Bostons love? Check out this YouTube video were Donnie the founder of Boston Terrier Society goes over a poll he conducted with Boston owners and the fruits their dogs LOVE! Click here to see 5 Fruits Boston Terriers Love!
How To Feed Your Boston Terrier Strawberries (Photos)
To feed your Boston Terrier a strawberry treat, wash the strawberry well to remove any residual chemicals or pesticides that may be on the fruit.
Next, chop off the stem of the strawberry.
Finally, you can either feed the strawberry whole or chop it into small pieces for your Boston to eat.
Can Boston Terrier Puppies Eat Strawberries?
It is safe for most Boston Terrier puppies to eat strawberries.
As Boston Terrier puppies are so small, you might consider cutting up the strawberry before feeding it to your Boston Terrier puppy.
Keep in mind that giving strawberries to your puppy should be done only as an occasional treat. If you are considering feeding your Boston strawberries regularly, you should first consult with a veterinarian.
Can Boston Terriers Eat Frozen Strawberries?
As a veterinarian, I have seen chipped teeth from dogs eating ice cubes. If the frozen strawberries are extremely hard, there is a risk that your Boston could crack a tooth when eating them.
To be safe, I avoid feeding my own dog any kind of hard frozen treat. Also, some frozen strawberries have an excess amount of added sugar which is not good for your Boston Terrier.
That being said, some frozen strawberries are safe to feed your Boston Terrier especially if you thaw them a little before feeding them.
Look for the unsweetened frozen strawberries with no extra additives as these are the safest option for frozen strawberries for dogs.
Health Benefits Of Strawberries For Boston Terriers
Strawberries are high in nutrients and fiber and low in calories which make them a potential healthy treat option for your Boston Terrier. Here are the three health benefits below.
1) Low In Calorie
Did you know that each strawberry only contains 4 calories? This means that strawberries are a low calorie treat that may not cause excess weight gain if fed in moderation.
If your Boston is overweight and you are looking for low calorie treat options, a strawberry might be a good option.
Keep in mind, these extra calories can add up quickly. If you feed your Boston 5 strawberries, this is an extra 20 calories in their diet.
If you want to see some low-calorie snack ideas for your Boston Terrier check out the treats right below here on Amazon or check out this video from the founder of Boston Terrier Society talking about the 5 brands of dog treats Boston Terriers love. See the video on YouTube by clicking here…5 Treats Boston’s Love!
2) High In Beneficial Nutrients
Strawberries are packed full of vitamins and antioxidants. While most name brand dog foods are complete and balanced, feeding your Boston an occasional strawberry might give them a boost in Vitamin C.
Strawberries may also be a good source of other vitamins and minerals such as potassium and folate.
3) High In Fiber
Strawberries contain fiber which may aid in digestion. Feeding your Boston Terrier an occasional strawberry may boost their fiber intake which may aid in digestion.
Dangers Of Feeding Strawberries To Your Boston Terrier
There are a few dangers associated with feeding strawberries to your Boston Terrier. That is why it is always a good idea to speak with your veterinarian prior to feeding a new food. Here are three things to be concerned about.
1) High in Sugar
If you feed your Boston too many strawberries, they may be consuming too much sugar. As Boston Terriers are prone to diabetes, too much sugar can be a bad thing!
Avoid feeding too many strawberries too often.
2) Allergic Reaction
As with any food, there is a risk that your Boston could have an allergy to strawberries. While rare, allergic reactions may occur when eating strawberries.
3) Diabetes Complications
If your Boston Terrier has diabetes, you should avoid feeding strawberries. Feeding strawberry treats may cause temporary spikes in blood sugar that may not be well controlled with insulin.
Follow your veterinarian’s instructions as to what treats are safe for your Boston Terrier with diabetes.
Conclusions
It is safe for most Boston Terriers to eat strawberries. You should only feed your Boston strawberries as an occasional treat as strawberries are high in sugar.
Make sure you only feed fresh strawberries or unsweetened frozen strawberries. Strawberry flavoring, canned strawberries, or strawberry syrup can contain dangerous additives like xylitol that are not safe for dogs.
If you are considering adding strawberries to part of your Boston’s regular diet or if your Boston Terrier has any health conditions, you should first consult with your veterinarian prior to feeding your Boston strawberries.