Can Cats Eat Blueberries?

Blueberries for Humans

Blueberries are a favourite among people all around the world. They’re particularly well liked here in the UK. The have two qualities that make them an excellent option for those who are looking to stay healthy. First, they have a range of health benefits for the human body. Second, they actually taste good! The combination of these two qualities makes them a favourite for weight watchers because they’re a diet food you’ll actually enjoy taking.

So blueberries are great for humans. They hydrate you and keep you in balance as far as your nutrition is concerned. Are they good for cats too? The answer is yes. Blueberries are okay for your cat and might even provide some nutritional benefits for her. However, don’t forget that your kitty is an obligate carnivore, meaning she doesn’t need blueberries to survive. If you’re going to give them to her, it should be as a casual treat.

Also, just because your cat can eat blueberries, doesn’t mean your cat will actually want to eat blueberries. Your cat is a carnivore, meaning she’ll be far more attracted to certain tastes than others. Scratch is pretty curious, which is why she might want to taste a blueberry or two. If your cat’s the same, then you shouldn’t mind giving her the fruit. However, as you give the fruit to your cat, be sure to introduce a small amount to her at first in order to gauge whether she’s allergic to it or not.

The Fruit is Okay for Your Cat

Can cats eat blueberries? Yes they can. They fruit isn’t toxic for them at all and their digestive tracts seem to have no qualms about digesting blueberries. However, your cat might not like blueberries at all. She might prefer chasing small rodents around your backyard or lurking in wait for birds. If that’s the case, then there’s no need to literally force blueberries down her throat.

I gave a blueberry to Scratch after doing my research. Once I was sure it was perfectly safe for her I gave her a small fruit to see if she’d like it as much as she thought she would when she looked longingly at me eating it. I also wanted to find out if she had any allergies to blueberries. Scratch loved the fruit and I couldn’t see any visible side effects. I know her pretty well, and can tell when she’s going through an upset.

You should do the same with your cat. If you’d like to give her blueberries, give her a small amount at first then watch her intently. If she shows signs of coughing and sneezing then that is not good and you should discontinue the blueberries immediately.

You should also remember to be moderate with how much of the fruit you include in her diet. Blueberries are by no means an adequate replacement for her regular food. You certainly don’t want your cat to become dependent on the blueberries. You can stick to giving her a small treat whenever you’re having blueberries yourself.

The Benefits of Blueberries

We all know by now that blueberries are very good for cats. They have a great range of benefits for the human body. The question on all our minds, however, is whether they’re equally good for cats. As it turns out, there are some nutritional advantages cats can acquire from eating blueberries.

To start with, blueberries have a high amount of vitamin C. In a cat, vitamin C is a great boost to the immune system. Your cat will probably benefit from eating blueberries if she’s suffering from cancer, heart disease, or asthma. Of course, the regular cat food you feed her will provide her with more than enough of her daily vitamin C requirement. However, it doesn’t hurt to give her a boost with some vitamin C. As it turns out, actually, some cat foods even have blueberries as an ingredient!

If your cat has diabetes, high cholesterol, or obesity, then she’ll probably need to stay away from foods with high calorie content. Blueberries are perfectly kosher for her in this situation because they are a low fat, low carb snack.

We all know how cats are notorious for not drinking water. It’s therefore necessary for us to sneak some water into their food to get them to stay hydrated. The high water content of blueberries will keep your cat wee hydrated.

Blueberries also have plenty of fibre, which helps your cat to stay safe from diseases like heart diseases and diabetes. It also helps with her digestive processes and keeps her feeling fuller for longer.

Any Possible Side Effects?

The only major problem your cat could face when eating blueberries is a possible allergy. If you notice symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, an upset stomach, or a loose stool, then your cat is probably allergic to blueberries. If your cat urinates calcium oxalate stones, then you shouldn’t give any blueberries to her. However, there are very few cases of cats experiencing serious side effects from eating blueberries. It still doesn’t hurt to watch your cat closely after giving her a small starter dose of blueberries.

You can start by giving her a blueberry and then carefully watching her for any signs of an adverse reaction. If she starts coughing or sneezing, or exhibiting any other behaviour that you do not deem typical of her, you should take her to the vet. Don’t panic, simply act fast. If the reaction is adverse, then it’s imperative that you act quickly because every moment you waste is a moment longer that your cat is pain.