Can Cats Eat Strawberries?

Yes, a cat can eat a small piece of strawberry. The ASPCA lists strawberry as non-toxic to cats. But cats are meat eaters and don’t need fruit. Offer a tiny bite once in a while, and keep the rest of the diet to complete cat food.

Why strawberries are okay but not needed

The ASPCA’s plant list says strawberry is non-toxic to cats. So a nibble will not poison your cat.

Still, a cat’s body is built for meat. The Cornell Feline Health Center says cats are obligate carnivores. That means they rely on nutrients found only in animal products. The Merck Veterinary Manual agrees that cats eat mainly meat.

So strawberries give your cat nothing it needs. Think of one as a curiosity, not as food.

How can I serve strawberries to my cat?

If your cat wants to try one, keep it simple:

• Cut off the green top and cut a very small piece.
• The vet sources give no exact amount, so keep it tiny.
• Offer it plain. Skip sugar, cream, and syrup.
• Watch your cat for the rest of the day. Stop if you see vomiting or loose stool.

Cornell says treats should not go over 10 to 15 percent of a cat’s daily calories. A bite of fruit should be far less than that. Merck also says to avoid giving table scraps, so don’t make this a habit.

Other kinds of strawberry foods

Can cats eat strawberry leaves?

The ASPCA says the strawberry plant is non-toxic to cats, so a chewed leaf is not a poison problem. None of the vet sources say cats need to eat leaves, though. If your cat chews the plant and then vomits or seems off, call your vet.

Can cats eat strawberry yogurt?

Not a good idea. Two things make it a poor treat:

• Dairy. The ASPCA says pets don’t have enough of the enzyme that digests the sugar in milk, so dairy can cause diarrhea. Cornell says many cats are lactose intolerant and can get stomach problems from dairy.
• Sweeteners. Flavored yogurt often has added sugar. Some foods also contain xylitol, a sweetener. The ASPCA says xylitol can cause low blood sugar and liver damage. Read the label, and call a vet or hotline if your cat ate yogurt with xylitol.

If your cat licked a little plain strawberry yogurt, most likely nothing will happen. Watch for loose stool. Don’t offer more. For more on dairy, see our guide on whether cats can eat cheese.

What should I give my cat instead?

Cornell and Merck both point to a complete, balanced cat food as the right base of your cat’s diet. For a treat, use a small amount of a treat made for cats. For foods to keep away from your cat, see our list of foods that are toxic to cats.