Knowing what to feed your cat can be confusing and when there is so much conflicting information and opinions about what food is safe for cats, and what the best diet for them is. So, questions like “can I give my cat strawberries” are pretty common. But there’s actually more to this question then you might think. It turns out a lot of cats love strawberries and may even rub themselves on strawberry cartons as if it’s catnip. So, what’s up with some cats' weird obsession with strawberries?
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Content:
- Are Strawberries Safe for Cats
- Why Do Cats Like Strawberries
- Can Cats Have Freeze-Dried Strawberries
- FAQs
- Conclusion
Are Strawberries Safe for Cats
First and foremost, strawberries are not toxic to cats.
According to feline nutritionist Dr. Linda Case, "The polyphenols and flavonoids present in certain fruits and vegetables… have strong antioxidant properties."
So a little, occasional slice of a strawberry may be quite good for your cat. Just don’t give them too much as it will upset their tummy.
The main benefit of strawberries is probably vitamin C, but unlike humans who need to get vitamin C from food, cats can synthesize vitamin C in their body and don’t need it in their diets. So, they don’t really need berries. However, so long as you don’t give your cat too much, there is some health benefit in it.
But what about why some cats seem to love strawberries? Some pet parents have noticed their cats rubbing themselves on strawberry cartons (if you’re wondering if your cat is doing this while you’re not there, you can use a Petcube Cam to watch out for this).
Why Do Cats Like Strawberries
It turns out that the internet is full of anecdotes and speculations about why cats strangely drawn to strawberries.
One Reddit user wrote, "Strawberry stems are pretty similar to catnip :) which is why kitties go nuts over them".
However, catnip and the strawberry are not in the same family, so they’re not really similar.
A possible explanation lies in the chemical compounds found in strawberries that may be similar to that of catnip. This was tricky to confirm because there’s not much scientific research to support this. However, according to a plant biochemist on Reddit, these lactones are structurally related to nepetalactone and might trigger similar receptors in cats.
This means that the chemicals in strawberries are similar enough to the ones in catnip that can also attract some felines.
Can Cats Have Freeze-Dried Strawberries
Freeze-dried strawberries are safe for cats, but only in small amounts. When fruits are dried, the sugars in them become more concentrated, so they’re not great for cats, but they still have some healthy antioxidants.
If you’re unsure about what your cat can eat, or if they eat something dangerous, consider the Petcube Emergency Fund, which covers up to $3000 in emergency vet bills and offers 24/7 teletriage with real veterinarians. Remember, berries aren’t a normal part of a cat’s diet, and while a little bit is fine, feeding too much can cause issues.
FAQs
Do cats like strawberries?
Yes, many cats seem to enjoy strawberries, and many owners report cats not only eating them, but rubbing against them or playing with them, possibly due to the chemical compounds that mimic catnip’s effects.
Are cats allergic to strawberries?
It’s fairly unlikely that a cat will be allergic to strawberries, but not impossible. Technically, just like humans, cats can be allergic to any food. However, cats can have varying degrees of intolerance to foods. For example, eating too much fruit could cause diarrhea and gassiness.
Conclusion
It’s perfectly fine to give your cat a bit of strawberry now and then, and strawberries certainly have some powerful antioxidants that could help your cat. They also may have chemicals that are a little similar to catnip, which may be why some cats are more interested in strawberries than others. However, strawberries are not a normal part of a cat’s diet, so moderation is key.
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