do cats eat strawberries?

[quakerboy]

I have a couple potted strawberries plants. Some toothed critter is eating them. I am in dense city, so I figured maybe squirrel. But whatever it is had enough force trying to pull one off the plant to pull the pot completely over. Cat?

In addition... how do I prevent urban critters from snacking so that I can get at least a few for myself?

[amerikat]

1. Skunks like sweet things.

I have a skunk that lives under my barn. Doesn't seem to go for the strawberries though.
But down at the community garden they go after water mellon and cantaloupe.

[Retrograde]

2. Squirrels can be quite strong

I've known them to knock pots over, and they'll defintely uproot plants. I've seen ones sitting in bushes, tearing off the flowers and stuffing them into their little squirrel maws. I wouldn't rule out raccoons, who are happy in urban areas and are very good at hiding during the day. You can try making cages for the plants out of wire cloth or something else with a small mesh: determined raccoons may be able to move them but they will deter squirrels.

My cat doesn't eat strawberries, but he does sit on them.