Can Cats Eat Blueberries? Now Answered

Cats Eat Blueberries

Blueberries provide several health advantages. Blueberries include vitamins, antioxidants, fiber, and other chemicals that benefit health in a variety of ways, ranging from supporting urinary tract function to combating cancer. Blueberries are popular among humans and dogs, but what about cats? Can cats safely consume blueberries, and if yes, how many blueberries can a cat consume?

Some fruits are healthy for cats to consume, while others are not. Blueberries, it turns out, are okay to feed to cats. Cats, on the other hand, don’t consume much fruit in general. Cats, as opposed to dogs, are characterized as “obligate carnivores.” This implies that the majority of a cat’s diet must consist of meat; cats do not require fruits and vegetables. As a result, cats have a strong preference for savory meals. Domesticated cats, in reality, cannot physically taste sweet foods because they lack the particular taste receptor (called the TAS1R2 gene) essential to distinguish sweet sensations.

“How can this be?” you might wonder. “Ice cream is a favorite of my cat!” Surprisingly, some cats prefer foods such as ice cream and yogurt. Cats, according to researchers, are driven by the fat content of meals like ice cream and yogurt rather than the sweetness of these items. 1 (It’s crucial to mention that cats should only consume tiny amounts of dairy products such as ice cream and yogurt.) Because cats are lactose intolerant, which means they cannot digest the lactose contained in milk and milk products, dairy meals can cause stomach discomfort, including diarrhea and vomiting.

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The Benefits of Blueberries for Cats

Blueberries are classified as a superfood, which is defined as a food that delivers significant health advantages in addition to good nourishment. Although most studies on the health advantages of blueberries have been conducted on people (and to a lesser degree, dogs), the recognized health benefits of blueberries may also benefit cats.

Antioxidants are abundant in blueberries (compounds that fight free radicals, slowing damage to the cells of the body). Antioxidants can help to delay the aging process and may even help to fight cancer. Blueberry fiber has the ability to lower inflammation throughout the body, thereby alleviating illnesses such as arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. Blueberries are also beneficial to urinary tract health (as do cranberries).

Read also: Which Fruits Can Cats Eat? Now Answered

Potential Health Concerns

Although feeding your cat modest amounts of blueberries as a treat in addition to her complete-and-balanced cat food is safe and potentially even healthy, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. Again, because cats are obligate carnivores, meat should make up the majority of their diet. Although cats can eat and digest fruits and vegetables, eating too many might cause stomach distress. Your cat should be consuming a high-quality, complete-and-balanced food that fulfills his or her specific nutritional requirements. On the label of commercial cat feeds is a statement indicating if the product is “complete and balanced,” as approved by the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).

The phrase “complete and balanced” on a cat food label means that the cat will receive all of the essential nutrients she requires, in the correct balance, for that life stage: adult maintenance (for adult cats), growth and reproduction (for kittens and pregnant or nursing females), or all life stages (for all cats, whether kittens or adults).

Any extra food you feed your cat, including blueberries, should account for no more than 10% of his overall diet (the remaining 90% should be complete-and-balanced food). Blueberries should be limited to one to three per day for cats due to their tiny size.

What Kind of Blueberries Can Cats Eat?

Blueberries may be eaten by cats both fresh and cooked. If you’re concerned about pesticides and other chemicals used in their cultivation, go for organic blueberries. Even if you buy organic blueberries, always wash them before feeding them to your cat.

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Safe Ways to Feed Blueberries to Your Cat

Blueberries may be a healthful treat for most cats if you can persuade them to eat them. In fact, blueberries are a component in several commercial cat meals.

It’s always a good idea to consult with your veterinarian before introducing new foods to your cat’s diet, such as blueberries. You can try blueberries after getting permission from your veterinarian. Because cats cannot taste sweet items, they will be drawn to blueberries for their other attributes. Cats, for example, enjoy novel and fascinating textures, thus your cat may enjoy chewing on blueberries. Cats enjoy eating wet things, so a juicy blueberry may be exactly the thing.

Your cat’s willingness to accept blueberries as a treat may surprise you. Offer entire raw blueberries to your cat, or chop them in half or smash them so your cat can see and smell the juicy insides. If your cat isn’t interested, try including chopped raw blueberries or mashed cooked blueberries into his or her meal. Don’t force your cat to eat blueberries if he doesn’t appear interested.

Conclusion

As pet owners, we want the greatest diets for our furry children. You now know that your cat can eat blueberries after reading this article. They can not only consume blueberries, but they are also beneficial to your pet. We also discovered that, while cats are carnivores, they benefit from a varied diet that includes things other than meat.

Blueberries are an antioxidant-rich superfood that has been shown to benefit both humans and cats. These little spherical berries are also excellent for keeping cat food fresh and maintained. Blueberries, on the other hand, should be regarded as a treat for cats and should account for no more than 10% of a cat’s daily calorie consumption.

Don’t forget to stock up on blueberries the next time you’re at the grocery store. Because they are not only a wonderful, nutritious treat for the humans in your family, but your furry children will also benefit from these sweet, delectable morsels of goodness!