Just like humans, dogs benefit from a variety of healthy foods that serve as additional sources of vitamins and minerals—and there are plenty of safe options out there for your furry friend to eat.

Strawberries are just one of several fruits that you can safely serve your dog, according to Dr. Danielle Bernal, a veterinarian with Wellness Natural Pet Food. While fruits should never make up the majority of a dog's daily diet, a couple of pieces eaten as a snack or topping is a really great idea.

"The most important thing with dog nutrition is to keep it complete and balanced," Dr. Bernal told CountryLiving.com. "They're dependent on us giving them nutrition everyday, and if we're not giving them enough of the right things that can lead to deficiencies." Dogs need a meat base complete with healthy fats along with veggies and fruits, like strawberries, served as healthy mix-ins and toppings.

Make sure your pet is eating healthy and safe foods that will keep him strong for years to come with these guidelines from Dr. Bernal:

  • Canines need to eat protein and healthy fats found in meats and other nutritious foods. They need protein for their skin, coat, and muscle strength.
  • If you're going to serve fruits or vegetables, it needs to be a small portion of his diet—around 10 to 20 percent.
  • Keep your dog fuller for longer by topping his favorite base with fiber-rich vegetables and fruits like broccoli or apples.
Natural foods, Food, Superfood, Food group, Vegan nutrition, Vegetarian food, Produce, Ingredient, Fruit, Plant, pinterest
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Jessica Leigh Mattern is a web editor and writer who covers home, holiday, DIY, crafts, travel, and more lifestyle topics. Prior to working for Country Living, she wrote for several lifestyle and women’s magazines including Woman’s Day, Cosmopolitan, and Redbook