Among all the fruits available to feed your dog, should you go for strawberries as well? Many harmless fruits like grapes that we as humans love can be poisonous and lethal to dogs.

So, the real question is, can a German Shepherd eat strawberries?

Can German Shepherds eat strawberries?

Yes, German Shepherds can eat strawberries but with certain precautions. It should be a part of a balanced diet and given in moderation to positively affect health.

Eating a strawberry can rarely harm your German shepherd; however, you must keep reading to find out when and how it can become dangerous or fatal for your pup.

Benefits of strawberries for your German Shepherd

Strawberry provides several nutrients to dogs, just as it does to humans. They are a great source of manganese, antioxidants, vitamin C, folates, and fibre.

Vitamin C

Strawberries have plenty of vitamin C, which raises antibodies in your German shepherd, thereby supporting their immune system. It also helps increase interferon in the body that prevents and fights against cancer. Also, its antioxidants help slow down your German shepherd’s aging process.

Antioxidant

As already mentioned, antioxidants are essential to slow down the aging process in your German Shepherds body. They remove the radicals responsible for aging and weakening the Immune system. 

Fibre

Fibre helps your German shepherd feel fuller for a long time. And if you are making your pooch lose some weight, it’s great to have more and more fiber in their diet. Once eaten, fiber turns into fatty acid and helps prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. Some fiber slows down the body’s metabolism, which can regulate diabetes and maintain the blood sugar level.

Manganese

Manganese helps strengthen the bones and joints of your German shepherd. It generates energy, carbohydrates and metabolizes protein. It’s challenging to find manganese in meat; therefore, strawberries can be a great addition to the diet. 

Risks of feeding strawberries to your German Shepherd

Feeding anything in excess amount can be bad for your German shepherd. Just like that, if you feed a lot of strawberries, here’s what can happen-

Upset stomach or Diarrhea

The most accessible possible outcome of eating too many strawberries is an upset stomach or diarrhea. However, the discomfort should only last for 24 hours. Any longer than that could indicate a bigger digestive problem.

They can get overweight

Strawberries contain a huge amount of sugar; you should only give them as a treat. Giving too many strawberries to your German shepherd can make them overweight all too quickly. And getting overweight from too much strawberry sugar can also lead to diabetes.

Thyroid problems

A chemical called goitrogens are present in strawberries that can cause thyroid in German Shepherds. It can hinder the proper functioning of the thyroid gland, and the dog may become more overweight or sedentary.

Allergic reaction

Even if there is a slight chance of your German shepherd being allergic to strawberries, you might want to skip it. If you see reactions like constant itching, diarrhea, or vomiting, it’s probably because they are allergic. The possibility of getting an allergy from a strawberry is less but don’t shy away to consult a vet if you are not sure.

How to feed Strawberries to your German Shepherd properly?

Knowing how strawberries can harm your German shepherd, it’s best to feed them with few precautions. For instance, giving them a raw, unwashed strawberry straight from the plant could be a bad idea. Following the proper methods to feed strawberries to your German shepherd will keep them safe. Here are the few ways you can try feeding strawberries-

• Mash the strawberries and mix them with the regular meal of your German shepherd. A small number of strawberries will spice the flavor and give all the necessary nutrients.
• Freezing the strawberries during summer is a great way to feed your German shepherd something cool. It’s better than ice cream and does a great job at soothing them.
• You can also cut up the slices of strawberries and add them to their Kong. They will always keep working for them and stay entertained.
• And lastly, you can give them strawberries the usual way, just make sure you prepare it nicely.

Preparing strawberries for your German Shepherd

You don’t need a lot of preparation to feed strawberries to your German Shepherds. Just make sure those are hygienic.

There is a good chance they can be covered with chemicals and pest sprays; therefore, washing is the first step to make sure it’s clean and safe to eat.

After washing, you also need to remove the stalk. This will make sure the strawberries are neat and ready to be eaten.

How often you can feed strawberries?

Following a general rule of thumb, 90% of the diet of the German shepherd should be meals, and only 10% should be the treat.

Although you can keep the whole 10% for strawberries, it is not recommended. Feeding all 10% of strawberries will most probably give them an upset stomach.

You can feed to 2-3 strawberries in a day which is a moderate amount, not too much or too little. And if you are feeding it for the first time, make sure you start with less quantity and then increase as they get used to it.

Summing Up,

Now that we know strawberries are a great addition to the German shepherd, just make sure you feed in moderation!

Here’s are the key takeaways:

• Strawberries can improve the health of your German shepherd as they are packed with vitamin C, manganese, fiber, and antioxidants.
• Even with a lot of goodness, too much of it can give them diarrhea, upset stomach, or make them overweight. Make sure not to feed it to a German shepherd if he already have diabetes, allergy, or thyroid problems.
• You can feed strawberries by mashing them up, or freezing them,
• Always wash the strawberries thoroughly and remove the stalks before feeding them.
• Everyday quantity of strawberries should be no more than 10% of their overall diet.

If you follow the precautions, you have nothing to worry about! Add strawberries to the diet of your German shepherd and make it even tastier.

The post Can German Shepherds Eat Strawberries? appeared first on Purrfect Paws.

Being cautious early is better than running for a cure later on. So, if you are in the mood to feed your dog some kinds of summer fruits, you must take certain precautions. One such fruit is cantaloupe. This fruit is though beneficial for dogs to consume. Still, there are certain limitations to it.

Is eating cantaloupe beneficial for dogs?

Yes! It offers numerous nutritional benefits beyond your imagination. It is rich in vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, potassium, beta-carotene, magnesium, thiamine, niacin, fiber, pantothenic acid, and folic acid.

The cellular aging of dogs and the onset of various diseases can be prevented by certain substances present in the cantaloupe, such as vitamin A and vitamin C. They act as antioxidants. Consumption of cantaloupe helps to fight constipation and dehydration in dogs. Its low-calorie content and high-water content make it a tasty way to rehydrate the body without adding body weight.

The high water and fiber content in cantaloupe strengthen the digestive system of dogs. It helps maintain the nervous system, red blood cells, and overall good health of your dog!

Is it safe for dogs to eat cantaloupe with rinds?

Though cantaloupe is not toxic for your dog, the rinds are! It shouldn’t be considered a regular snack for your dog. Rinds are very hard to swallow and digest. Multiple digestive issues can occur because of eating too many rinds. Also, it is very tough and waxy, which makes it difficult to chew.

The possible gastrointestinal tract issues resulting from the consumption of cantaloupe rinds can also damage bowel movement. The toughness of the rind may also cause a choking hazard for your pet. With that in mind, it is safe to say that no, your dog absolutely cannot risk eating rinds!

How to serve cantaloupe safely?

You must feed cantaloupe to your dog by cutting it and preparing it just as you would do it for yourself. You need to remove the rind first and later deseed by opening it up. Cut it up in small edible chunks.

One way is offering a small piece from a fruit salad. You can also freeze a small chunk in ice and hydrate it as a summer treat. Also, you can dehydrate it and serve it as an easy dried fruit snack.

Just as human beings must consume fast foods occasionally to be healthy, dogs must be served cantaloupe as a special treat and not any regular meal.

The skin or peels of cantaloupe must be avoided while feeding the pet. Constipation and blockage of intestinal passage can result from the hard peel.

Certain fruits contain cyanide in their seeds. For instance, peaches, cherries, and apples have cyanide in their seeds. One must remove the seeds before feeding the pet. On top of that, a high amount of sugar in the cantaloupe may affect your dog’s health, especially if he has diabetes.

And remember, don’t consider cantaloupe as a regular treat for your dog, and even if you do, it should be 10% of the overall daily diet. Lastly, always serve cantaloupe in control.

What to do if your dog eaten cantaloupe rinds?

Please do not panic after your dog has eaten rinds. Most probably, you’ll see your pet go through gastrointestinal issues such as stomach ache, vomiting, or a bowel movement disorder. Not feeding in moderation can give your dog diarrhea. Also, feeding cantaloupe daily can lead to canine obesity. You may notice changes in your pet’s stool consistency. However, these symptoms should not stay longer than 24 hours, but if they do, make sure you visit the vet.

Summing Up,

Please keep your dog cheerful with every treat they eat. Don’t miss out on cantaloupe’s nutritional benefits, but also take precautions before serving it to your dog. Remember to make sure it is free from rinds at all costs and follow the proper ways to feed them.

The post Can Dogs Eat Cantaloupe Rind? appeared first on Purrfect Paws.

Should you feed your dog dried pineapple? Meh!

Confused?

Let’s translate this into human lingo. Can you have a chocolate fudge pastry for breakfast every day? Of course, you can. Should you? Not if you don’t want to replace your entire wardrobe with clothes from the plus-size store.

Pineapple is a majestic fruit on its own: stands tall, wears a crown, and erupts in sugary syrup in the middle. In fact, the pineapple was such a novelty in the seventeenth century that King Charles had a portrait of this fruit made with him.

Then why do we wish to keep this royal fruit away from your no-less regal dog companion? A few pointers to assure you that we are very much on your side:

Is Dried Pineapple Safe for Dogs?

1. Slow sugar poison

Pineapple is a fruit that is rich in fructose, glucose, and sucrose; all-natural sugars that can play havoc on your dog’s blood sugar. It is especially a slow poison for dogs that are prone to diabetes.

Dry it up, and this poison loses its slowness and can fasten your dog’s journey to judgment day. When the pineapple is dried, it loses its water content and moisture. What it does not lose is its natural sugar content.

So the same piece of fruit now has higher sugar content. If it is not given to your dog in moderation, his blood sugar can shoot through the roof.

2. Weight woes

Even if your dog is not particularly prone to diabetes, dried pineapple in excess can cause significant weight gain. Obesity in dogs, just like humans, can make them sluggish and low in energy.

Seems like there is a lot you are putting on the line, considering their much healthier options among even dried fruits available for you to treat your dog with.

3. The digestive predicament

Not all dogs take a shine to pineapple as a fruit in general and dried pineapple in particular. You have to start feeding your dog dried pineapple by introducing it to him with a small bite. If your dog reacts adversely to it or develops any allergic reaction, take him immediately to the vet.

Some dogs also develop stomach sensitivity with dried pineapple, even in moderation. They may suffer from diarrhea, which may aggravate dehydration.

(On that note, we will like to squeeze in a small reminder: if your dog is particularly sensitive in matters of his dietary requirements, it is also advisable to get pet insurance. This will help you manage the monthly bills, in case there are to be frequent visits to the veterinary doctor.)

4. Give it as God made it

If your dog does in fact have a craving for dried pineapple (that is, you were stupid enough to introduce it and use it excessively during the positive reinforcement training), it is best to go natural.

Cut your pineapple into small, bite-sized pieces and dry them up in the sun. This is way better than buying dried pineapples from over the counter at the mall. This is because these market-bought dried pineapples contain added artificial sweeteners, flavors, and preservatives.

Some of these contents can also prove toxic to the dog. Case in point is xylitol, which is an additional sweetener in foods aimed at human consumption. Since it is mentioned in the ingredients in minuscule letters, you may not even think twice about it. However, even in small quantities, it can prove toxic for dogs.

It is better not to risk your dog’s health with hidden contents that may or may not find mention on the bottle label.

5. Pineapple positives

Yes, we understand that pineapple is full of Vitamin C, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B6, Manganese, iron, copper, calcium, folate, phosphorus, etc, etc, etc….Not to mention the huge fiber content that can really clear up your dog’s intestinal tracts.

If it is so important for you to feed your dog pineapple, we advise you to do so in its natural form, with its 86% water content still intact. This can have an excellent hydration effect on your dog, especially on those hot days when the sun is the least merciful.

However restrict this pineapple treat to the soft, fleshy part of this fruit only. The outer skin or inner hardcore can lead to a choking hazard for your dog.

Summing Up

Do not feed your dog dried pineapple if you can help it. If not, keep it at less than 10% of the dietary calorie intake and not as a daily treat. For healthier sugary treats, check out our articles on cottage cheese and coconut yogurt as awesome treats for your doggy friends\soul mates.

The post Can Dogs Eat Dried Pineapple: Is the crown fruit canine-friendly? appeared first on Purrfect Paws.