Strawberry leaves are a tasty treat for cats, but they aren’t recommended for consumption.
Due to their delicious taste, cats will eagerly eat these leaves if they are presented to them in style. You can earn your reputation as a cat food expert by feeding your cats strawberries in cute ornaments.
So, can cats eat strawberry leaves? The short answer is no!
Cats shouldn’t eat strawberry leaves because they are toxic to cats that eat large amounts of them or who are sensitive to the chemicals found in strawberries.
So, if you give your cats strawberries as a treat they will likely not get sick, but if they find them in your strawberry plant they will eat the leaves and be seriously ill.
Can Cats Eat Strawberry Leaves?
Strawberry consumption is toxic to cats, due to the existence of oxalates.
It’s recommended not to let your cat eat the leaves of strawberries because the chemicals found in the plants can lead to serious health problems such as stomach ulcers and kidney failure.
Not that they’re poisonous like chocolate is toxic to cats (chocolate contains theobromine which is a stimulant and a cardiac stimulant) but they’re best.
The leaves, on the other hand, contain high amounts of oxalates which can upset the digestive system of a cat.
The leaves of strawberries and other plants from the Rosaceae family contain oxalic acid, a compound that can actually interfere with kidney function.
When consumed, they may prick the lining of the stomach and intestines and lead to nausea and diarrhea in sensitive animals.
In cats, this might cause vomiting, loss of appetite, fever and digestive issues such as constipation or diarrhea.
Are Strawberries Safe for Cats?
Allowing your cat to ingest strawberries can be hazardous to their health, as their consumption can lead to a plethora of health issues such as upset stomachs, vomiting and diarrhea.
Strawberries are high in vitamins and antioxidants and are usually safe for human consumption as they don’t contain high levels of oxalates unlike their leaves do.
However, it is not uncommon for cats to eat the leaves of the strawberry plant and fall into a life-threatening situation.
Immune support, improved digestion, and overall health are some the health perks given by strawberries to cats when consumed in small amounts.
How to Feed Strawberry to Cats
Make sure the stem of the strawberries are removed before you give them to your cat.
- To remove pesticides or other contaminants from the berries, wash them well and sift through them to remove the stems and other debris before adding them to your kitty’s food.
- A full strawberry can be fed to your cat as is but make sure it is not over-packed with food as it can lead to stomach upset in your cat.
- For your cat, cut the fruit into slices and feed them as treats.
- You want your cat to eat the strawberries in small amounts as they can cause stomach upset and diarrhea in larger quantities.
- As a result, gas, bloating and vomiting can occur in larger quantities.
- Leave it alone if all this happens and make sure to treat any symptoms as they occur.
- Never make your cat do without food when she gets sick.
- If your cat consumes it, wait and watch to see if anything unpleasant happens like vomiting and diarrhea before giving it a second go.
- You want to make over its food and make it succulent before giving it another try.
- A cat’s optimum weight is 10 pounds for a female and 12 pounds for a male.
- Strawberries are tasty treats for cats but care should be taken to prevent the cat from over-eating them as they can spike the blood sugar level and cause the cat to vomit and lose.
Possible Side-Effects of Feeding Too Many Strawberries to Cats
Overfeeding your cat might disturb its gastrointestinal system and lead to diarrhea and vomiting.
Strawberries, for instance, can cause loose stool and vomiting in your cat.
Sugar is a natural flavor enhancer and can give almost anything a tasty taste.
Sugar is not digested by cats but by bacteria in the large intestine.
Constipation, gas, and stomach upset can occur when giving your cat too much sugar.
Diabetes, obesity, and thyroid issues can develop if your cat is eating too much sugar.
Even if it seems harmless, sticking to a variety won’t hurt as your cat’s palate can develop an aversion to certain fruits if its not used to it.
A significant shift in your cat food could lead to gastrointestinal distress but the same cannot be said for fruits as they don’t contain any starch or grain like complex carbs.
What Can Cats Eat Instead of Strawberries?
If your cat begins to eat leaves from your strawberry plant, you should immediately move them out of the plant’s reach as tempting as it may be to leave them there as a special treat.
Instead, you can feed your cat a piece of beef liver or chicken to give it a healthy treat that will not affect its health.
You can also crush a few strawberries and mix it with a small amount of peanut butter and offer it to your cat as a tasty treat instead of feeding them the plant’s leaves.
If your cat eats the leaves from the strawberry plant directly, you should take it to the vet immediately.
The vet will likely have to induce vomiting or administer medications to flush out the oxalates that were ingested to treat your cat for stomach ulcers and dehydration.
The best way to protect your cat is to keep a close eye on it if it consumes strawberries or leaves from the plant and limit their access to strawberries altogether.
You can earn your reputation as a cat food expert by feeding your cats strawberries in cute ornaments.
Also Read: Why is My Cat Obsessed with Strawberries?
Conclusion
In conclusion, cats shouldn’t eat strawberry leaves because of their toxic chemical content. If your cat eats them they will likely become very sick; however, feeding them strawberries in cute decorations will not cause any harm.
In addition, strawberries are not recommended for consumption by humans or animals due to the high content of oxalates.
While the fruit is safe and healthy for human consumption, the leaves are toxic to cats and other mammals that consume them in large quantities.
Try feeding small amounts of strawberries to your cat in cute decorations instead and ensure that your cat does not consume the leaves of the strawberry plant by any means.
The leaves of the plant are so poisonous that even small amounts could lead to stomach ulcers and kidney damage for your cat if eaten repeatedly over a long period of time.
