Can cats eat blueberries? You might have wondered this if your cat tries to sneak a bite while you’re adding some blueberries to your post-workout smoothie or grabbing a handful of blueberries to snack on. If humans can eat blueberries, can cats safely eat them too?
The short answer is yes, cats can eat blueberries. In fact, there are more than a few health benefits that come with feeding blueberries to cats, and you might have even noticed them as an ingredient in certain commercial cat foods.
As always, you must ask your regular vet before sharing any human food with your favorite feline, including blueberries. Here’s what you need to know about blueberries and cats.
How Are Blueberries Good For Cats?
Cats are obligate carnivores who require most of their nutrition to come from meat proteins, but blueberries can be a very useful addition to a feline’s diet if served responsibly.
In terms of healthiness, blueberries are a very good source of the vitamins A and C. They’re also high in antioxidants and fiber and low in fat. The water content in blueberries can help with keeping your cat hydrated.
How Can I Safely Give Blueberries To My Cat?
If your vet gives you the okay, there are a few different ways that you can safely serve blueberries to your cat. First of all, always wash fresh blueberries to make sure that there are no fertilizers or pesticides left on them.
You can serve whole blueberries to your cat or mash a few blueberries up into a paste.
Blueberries can be safely served as part of a cat’s existing meals, or they can be given out as a treat. In fact, some cats enjoy eating frozen blueberries as a crunchy snack.
When it comes to the amount of blueberries that you can safely serve to your cat, it’s best to stay cautious. As a guide, it’s been suggested that serving an adult cat just two or three blueberries is a sensible amount for a snack. Also, resist the urge to provide blueberries as a snack every day; it’s best to rotate them with other snacks and safe human foods.
As always, make sure to monitor your cat if you’re serving them any human food in case they have an allergic reaction or the food turns into a choking hazard.
Does your cat ever like to snack on blueberries? Have you ever used them as a treat? Tell us all about it in the comments section below!
