Food
Can dogs eat strawberries? How many a day
Igor, founder of ZoozyJars and maltipoo owner · Updated October 14, 2026 · 3 min read
Can dogs eat strawberries? Yes, fresh strawberries in small amounts are safe for dogs. They're low in calories and high in water, but contain natural sugar, so a small dog gets 2–3 strawberries, not a bowl.
- Yes: fresh or frozen strawberries, washed, tops removed.
- How much: about 2 medium strawberries a day for a 3 kg dog, about 3 for 5 kg, about 4 for 8 kg.
- No: strawberries with sugar or cream, in desserts, jams and juices.
- Watch out: too many at once means diarrhoea.
Has your dog eaten a dessert or yoghurt sweetened with xylitol? Call your vet right away. With strawberries alone, worrying signs are vomiting, bloody diarrhoea or lethargy.
How many strawberries can a dog eat
Strawberries have about 32 kcal per 100 g, and a medium one weighs about 12 g. Treats should be 10% of daily calories at most, and fruit should take half of that at most.
| Dog's weight | Strawberries per day | Pieces |
|---|---|---|
| 3 kg | up to 25 g | about 2 |
| 5 kg | up to 35 g | about 3 |
| 8 kg | up to 50 g | about 4 |
We calculated this for a neutered adult dog (70 × weight^0.75 kcal a day). My maltipoo weighs about 4 kg. We don't give her strawberries; she more often gets a piece of apple or a few blueberries.
How to prepare strawberries for your dog
- Wash them well. Farmed strawberries may be sprayed.
- Pull off the green top.
- For a dog under 5 kg, cut each strawberry into 4. Small dogs swallow pieces whole.
- Give them as a reward, not as an addition to the bowl.
Strawberries in desserts
The fruit itself is fine. The problem is what's added:
- sugar and whipped cream: calories and fat;
- diet yoghurts and sugar-free desserts: may contain xylitol;
- strawberry cakes: butter, sugar, sometimes chocolate;
- jams: mostly sugar.
Frozen strawberries on hot days
A frozen piece of strawberry makes a good summer reward. For a small dog, cut cubes no bigger than 1–1.5 cm so it can't swallow one whole. With mixed frozen fruit, check there are no grapes or raisins in it.
Fruit is an extra
A dog on complete food doesn't need strawberries. It's a pleasure for a few weeks a year. If your dog starts choosing fruit over its bowl, read what to do when your dog won't eat. Compare other fruit in what dogs can't eat.
Frequently asked questions
The green top isn't poisonous, but it's better to remove it. A small dog can choke on it, and the leaves may have been sprayed.
AKC — Can dogs eat strawberries?; AKC — Fruits and vegetables dogs can and can't eat; NRC 2006 (RER); WSAVA — 10% of calories from treats. This article is for education only and does not replace advice from a veterinarian.
About the author
Igor, founder of ZoozyJars and maltipoo owner
I run ZoozyJars and live with a maltipoo myself. I write from my own experience and lean on the sources listed under each article.
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