Can Cats Eat Blueberries?

Cats are obligate carnivores, but this doesn’t mean that they exclusively feed on meat. In the wild, cats consume fruits, vegetables, and grains from the stomach contents of their prey, rather than eating them directly.

So yes, cats can eat blueberries. They do digest carbohydrates but less efficiently than proteins, however, cats can easily digest the carbohydrates present in some fruits.

In addition to healthy organic foods, it's okay to give your cat blueberries. Blueberries contain fiber, water, and have antioxidant qualities. Most meals containing blueberry extract, on the other hand, have no effect on blood sugar levels, making them generally safe to give to your cat.

Some of the health benefits of blueberries include:

  • They contain some antioxidants which play a role in cancer prevention
  • They help prevent aging
  • Blueberries are rich in vitamin C and K
  • They have a high fiber and water content
  • Studies indicate blueberries can lower cholesterol levels, cardiac conditions, improve memory and lower blood pressure
  • Pet feeds with blueberry powder help heal urinary tract infections in cats and dogs
  • Blueberries help reduce inflammation, easing symptoms of conditions like arthritis and inflammatory bowel diseases

How Many Blueberries Can I Give My Cat?

It is recommended that your cat does not consume excessive amounts of blueberries, because they should already be receiving a comprehensive and balanced diet from her pet food. A cat's daily consumption of blueberries should be no more than 10% of its total daily calorie intake.

The high sugar content in blueberries predisposes our feline buddies to digestive and diabetes. Therefore, it is unhealthy to feed cats blueberries in large quantities. However, you can add blueberries to the diet, but never as a complete meal replacement.

Despite cats consuming blueberries, they don't have taste receptors for sweetness. Instead, they consume the fruits due to their texture. Large consumption of blueberries can raise your feline friend's blood sugar levels, leading to diabetes.

Symptoms of diabetes in cats include:

  • Vomiting
  • Poor appetite
  • Polyuria (excessive urination)
  • Polydipsia (excessive thirst)

If your cat has the above symptoms, contact your veterinarian for more information.  

When buying pet food, check whether the label says, "complete and balanced," as instructed by the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Complete and balanced is an indication the food contains all the essential nutrients he requires and is well balanced to support growth and reproduction to cats at all life stages.     

How to Serve Blueberries for Cats

If you can persuade your cat to consume blueberries, they are a nutritious treat. In reality, blueberries are an ingredient in several commercial cat food products. It's always a good idea to consult with your veterinarian before introducing any new foods to your cat's diet, such as blueberries.

You can experiment with blueberries once you have obtained permission from your veterinarian. Because cats cannot detect sweet flavors, they will be attracted to the other characteristics of blueberries. Cats enjoy novel and exciting textures, which is why your cat may find it entertaining to munch on blueberries. Cats also enjoy eating moist things, so a ripe blueberry can be just the thing to satisfy their craving.

How to introduce the blueberries to your pet's diet:

  • Wash to remove dirt and pesticides
  • Cut then open to expose the juices
  • Mash the berries to create a paste
  • Place the paste or cut berries on top of the wet or dry meal
When serving this delicious treat, chop them into halves and smash so your pet can see and smell the fruity juices. If your cat isn't interested, try incorporating them as chopped raw or mashed and cooked into your cats' food. Make no attempt to coerce your cat into accepting the blueberries you have offered as a treat.
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  • "Many pet foods contain corn as the main ingredient. Dogs and cats are not “cornivores’….they are carnivores!"
  • "If I can’t eat the food, I won’t give it to my pets either."
  • "Our pets are the only ones in our family who give us unconditional love."
  • "The animals are our children. They deserve the same quality food as our two-legged children."
  • "Your pets are members of the family so treat them like members of the family."
  • "I can help your pets live longer, healthier lives."
  • "Feed your pets what your grandfather fed his pets."
  • "Would you eat what you are feeding your pet? No? Then don’t feed it."
  • "Cats are obligate carnivores, not herbivores."
  • "Animals are my children."
  • "You have never in your life been to a doctor or veterinarian who taught you how to prevent disease (or who taught you about nutrition.)"
  • "Developed with Passion by a practicing veterinarian."
  • "If your human children died at 25 instead of 75 that would get your attention as to what is going on with pets."
  • "I am abolishing disease in my practice."
  • "1 out of 5 children in the average American family walks on all fours."
  • "Tell your pet every day that you love them."
  • "You can communicate with your pet, just listen."
  • "Would you feed your other children pet food?"
  • "Think about which members of your family give you unconditional love. Then treat them the same."
  • "We don’t make pet food, we make food for pets"
  • "Give them a “mouse-full”"
  • "Read the ingredients, would you eat that?"
  • "Does your pet deserve any less?"
  • "Where else do you get unconditional love?"
  • "Who is always happy to see you?"
  • "Who never complains about their day?"
  • "Give back to your pets the unconditional love that they give you."
  • "I put unconditional love into my food, my products, my patients, my practice."
  • "These blessed creatures are giving you unconditional love. Feeding them healthy, pure organic food is not much to ask in return."
  • "Let an animal in your heart and experience unconditional love."
  • "Unconditional love is when you love with all that you have."
  • "Unconditional love is giving without taking."
  • "Unconditional love is above all the gift of one’s self."
  • "Unconditional love is above all the gift of life."
  • "Unconditional love is the deepest essence of life."
  • "Unconditional love is always available for the asking."
  • "There is nothing more exhilarating than animal love."
  • "We all need to ask ourselves, “What are we giving to the world?”"
  • "Pursue your passion. I did."
  • "I make pet food the way Mother Nature intended."
  • "You were told your whole life not to feed your pet off the table. That turned out to be a lie to help sell pet food."

- Doc -