Why
Blueberries are not toxic to cats, and some cat treats include them as an ingredient. They are low in calories and contain fiber and antioxidants. For people they have a reputation as a superfood, but that does not carry over to cats. Cats are obligate carnivores and rely on nutrients found in animal products, and PetMD's veterinary guide points out that cats are not well equipped to digest fruit. A complete cat food already covers what a cat needs, so blueberries are an optional extra, not a supplement.
Cats also cannot taste sweetness. In 2005, researchers reported in PLoS Genetics that one of the genes needed for the sweet taste receptor does not work in cats. Some cats bat a blueberry around like a toy or eat it out of curiosity, while many ignore it completely. Both are normal.
The sugar is still there even if the cat cannot taste it. Too many blueberries can upset the stomach, and PetMD's guide notes that the sugar can be a problem for cats with diabetes.
What to watch out for
- Whole berries, which a small cat or kitten may try to swallow and choke on
- Eating too many at once, which can cause vomiting or diarrhea
- Cats with diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease or pancreatitis. Ask your vet first
- Blueberry jam, pie filling, dried and sweetened blueberries, with lots of added sugar
- Blueberry muffins and pastries, which add flour, butter, sugar and sometimes sweeteners or chocolate
- Blueberry yogurt, which adds lactose that many cats do not digest well
How to serve it
- Use plain fresh or frozen blueberries with nothing added.
- Wash them and remove any stems or leaves.
- Cut each berry into small pieces or mash it, especially for kittens and small cats.
- Offer one berry first and watch your cat's stools over the next day.
- Serve the pieces plain, as a topper on wet food, or frozen as a cool treat in warm weather.
How much?
PetMD's veterinary guide suggests up to three blueberries at a time, no more than a few times a week, for a healthy adult cat, starting with just one.
Are blueberries healthy for cats?
Blueberries are one of the gentler fruits to share, because they are small and low in calories. That makes them a reasonable choice if you want to give your cat something new. But the health benefits people read about come from research in humans and do not mean a cat needs berries. Feeding more will not make your cat healthier, and it can crowd out the food your cat actually needs.
If you are hoping to add antioxidants or fiber for a health reason, talk to your vet. There are diets and supplements designed for cats, and your vet can tell you whether your cat needs anything at all.
Blueberry products to keep away from your cat
Plain blueberries are the only form worth sharing. Anything baked, sweetened or mixed with other ingredients brings extra risks:
- Muffins, pancakes, pies and cheesecake, which contain fat, sugar and dairy
- Jams, syrups and pie fillings, which are mostly added sugar
- Dried and sweetened blueberries, which are concentrated in sugar
- Anything that also contains chocolate, raisins or grapes, which are toxic
- Sugar-free products, which may contain sweeteners that are not suitable for pets
Common questions
Are blueberries good for cats?
Yes, as an occasional treat. Blueberries are not toxic to cats, and some cat treats include them as an ingredient. They are low in calories and contain fiber and antioxidants.
Are blueberries bad for cats?
Not in sensible amounts. The main thing to watch: whole berries, which a small cat or kitten may try to swallow and choke on.
Are cats allowed to have blueberries?
Yes. Use plain fresh or frozen blueberries with nothing added.
Can kittens eat blueberries?
A healthy kitten can have a small piece of plain blueberry. Kittens have sensitive stomachs and are more likely to choke, so mash or finely chop the berry and keep the portion tiny.
My cat ate a blueberry muffin. What should I do?
Check the ingredients for chocolate, raisins or sweeteners. If it contained any of these, or your cat ate more than a nibble, call your vet or a poison control service. A small bite of a plain muffin is more likely to cause mild stomach upset than poisoning.
Sources
- PetMD. Can Cats Eat Blueberries? (Sandra C. Mitchell, DVM, DABVP)
- Li X, Li W, Wang H, et al. Pseudogenization of a sweet-receptor gene accounts for cats’ indifference toward sugar. PLoS Genetics, 2005;1(1):e3.
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets.
- Cornell Feline Health Center. Feeding Your Cat.
If your cat has eaten something toxic, contact your veterinarian, an emergency animal hospital or an animal poison control service right away, even if your cat seems fine. Do not try to make your cat vomit at home.