Blueberries for humans are a superfood and one of the best things you can put in your body, but can cats eat blueberries?
They are packed with vitamins and other good stuff and come with a whole range of health benefits. The problem is, cats are carnivores who require meat in the form of animal protein, and do not actually need fruits such as blueberries in order to survive.
Not only are some human foods toxic for cats, but their digestive system also processes certain foods in a very different way. So can cats eat blueberries?, can they benefit from the same nutritional benefits as humans?, or are blueberries dangerous to cats?
After hours of thorough research and the help of veterinarians and many professionals, we will reveal all of the answers.
Can Cats Eat Blueberries?
The short answer is yes, cats can eat blueberries as they are none toxic and can actually benefit from the nutrients of blueberries providing they are only given in moderation.
The reason for this is that blueberries, like other fruits contain natural sugar. Cats are carnivores and don’t actually require fruits as part of their diet. Consuming too much sugar can cause digestive issues and lead to long-term health complications such as diabetes.
For this reason it is highly recommended that you only ever feed blueberries to your cat in moderation as an occasional treat, and never use them as a meal replacement for your cats regular food.
Here are symptoms of feline diabetes, according to Cornell University of Veterinary Medicine:
- Excessive thirst
- Constant urination
- Lack of appetite
- Inability to jump
- Vomiting
In all honesty, you shouldn’t worry too much, because the chances of a cat even attempting to eat a blueberry are extremely low. Unlike humans, cats lack the taste receptors for sweetness, so even when offered blueberries, they will more than likely just turn their nose away from it.
Can Cats Eat Blueberry Extract?
Many of the cat foods available on the market actually contain blueberry extract. As these are specially formulated cat foods, you do not have to worry about the sugar levels as you would with feeding your cats normal blueberries. To be on the safe side you should still monitor your cat for a few weeks when giving them new food.
Will My Cat Eat Blueberries?
Cats generally don’t even attempt to eat anything sweet as they have no taste for it. All cats are very unique so some may try blueberries and some may not. They are curious creatures so some may have a lick or a nibble because it’s a new taste or texture. For cats who won’t try it, there are still ways to include blueberries in their diet (more on this later).
Health Benefits of Blueberries
Blueberries are known as a superfood and when you look what’s contained inside of them you will see why. They contain a large amount of vitamins and other good content which are great for a number of different health benefits.
Blueberries even have the highest amount of antioxidant levels of all common vegetables and fruits according to experts. Let’s take a look in more detail.
Blueberries contain:
- anthocyanin
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B6
- Iron
- Phosphorous
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Manganese
- Zinc
- Vitamin K
- Potassium
- Fiber
- Folate
The health benefits of blueberries are:
- Maintaining healthy bones
- Skin health
- Lowering blood pressure
- Managing diabetes
- Protecting against heart disease
- Preventing cancer
- Improving mental health
- Healthy digestion, weight loss, and feeling full
Are Blueberries Bad For Cats?
No, blueberries are not bad for cats, they can experience the safe benefits eating blueberries as a human would. Some cat foods on the market even contain blueberry powder. The only bad thing to be careful of is the the sugar that’s found in blueberries. Although this is natural sugar as found in all fruits, too much can cause health issues for your cat such as digestive problems or even diabetes.
We highly recommend not feeding blueberries to your cat in large quantities. Moderation is the key reap the benefits and reduce the chances of long term health benefits such as diabetes. Symptoms of feline diabetes include:
- Excessive thirst
- Constant urination
- Lack of appetite
- Inability to jump
- Vomiting
If you notice your cat is showing any of the above symptoms, book an appointment with a veterinarian as soon as possible.
How Many Blueberries Can Cats Eat?
As we stated above, feeding your cat too many blueberries or any other fruit can lead to long term health problems. You shouldn’t be giving your cat large quantities and you definitely shouldn’t be using blueberries as meal replacements. A couple of blueberries a few times a week is more than enough.
Can Kittens Eat Blueberries?
When it comes to a kitten, blueberries can provide the same nutritional benefits as it would with an adult cat. The high natural sugar content found inside of fruit is still a problem, and even more so for a kitten. The reason being, a kitten is a lot more fragile and delicate than an adult cat because they are still growing.
Our advice would be to just completely leave blueberries out of a kittens diet and just stick to specially formulated kitten food. Click here for a great selection of kitten food.
Safe Ways to Feed Blueberries to Your Cat
If you are going to introduce blueberries or any other new foods to your cats diet, always consult with a veterinarian first. Here’s how you can feed your cat blueberries.
- Wash to remove dirt and pesticides (important).
- Cut open to show moisture.
- Mash to create a paste or pâté.
- Freeze for a new temperature sensation.
- Place on top of wet or dry food.
- Feed one or two whole as a treat (not all cats will eat on there own).
What fruits can cats eat?
Providing you wash them thoroughly, remove any seeds, and slice into small pieces, here are some cat-friendly fruits that they can safely consume:
- Apples
- Bananas
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- Seedless watermelon
Alternative Healthy Snacks
So we have answered the question of can cats eat blueberries and found out they have many benefits providing you don’t feed in large quantities. In this section we are going to look at some alternative foods that are also safe to bring into your cats diet. These are vegetables that the ASPCA have listed as safe and non toxic for cats.
Here is the list:
- Zucchini
- Celery (they love the crunch!)
- Carrots
- Green bell peppers
- Spinach (Filled with vitamins A, C, and K!)
- Peas (Often found in many prepackaged foods for cats and dogs as a vitamin-filled addition)
- Pumpkin (Pumpkin is used often as a way to get fiber in your cat’s diet)
- Broccoli
Can Cats Eat Blueberries Conclusion
Can cats eat blueberries? Just to summarize, always remember that although blueberries have great nutritional benefits, they are not required as part of a balanced diet for a cat. Cats are carnivores who require a high protein diet to provide optimum health.
Only use blueberries in moderation to supplement a cats diet, and never replace their regular food. Do you feed blueberries to your cat? Let us know in the comments section below.
