Can Cats Eat Blueberries?
If you have been reading my series of ‘Can my cat eat this?’ series, you know this question is a question I get a lot.
Are blueberries safe for cats?
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Cats are carnivores! They are out in the wild and need meat to keep them healthy. But they don’t HAVE to only have meat. In fact, cats can eat fruits like blueberries, vegetables and grains.
I thought cats can only eat meat?
A big myth that comes with cats is that since they are carnivores, you can only feed them meat. NOT TRUE. Cats can eat foods that provide protein and carbohydrate. That may seem odd, since cats are carnivores.
But foods like fruits, grains and vegetables are all things cats can eat, too. Think about dry cat food! There is not only chicken or beef. Sometimes there is corn and other veggies as well as rice!
Can cats only digest protein?
To go along with this carnivore myth, I saw in a forum that people were saying cats can only digest protein! Wrong again! “Cats can digest the carbohydrates in fruit. They just digest carbohydrate less efficiently than they do protein from meat,” Purina Senior Nutritionist Jan Dempsey explains.
Will my cat eat blueberries?
Yay! Blueberries are safe for cats! So for people who’s cats have already tried blueberries, fear not! But what about the people who’s cats haven’t tried them. I’m sure you’re probably wondering, ‘Will my cat try blueberries?’.
The truth is, it will vary from cat to cat. Cats can’t taste sweet flavors. Which means, in most cases, they don’t really like the sweet taste of blueberries. But cats will try a lot of things if their human’s are eating them.
Why? Because they are attracted to novelty. A cat won’t eat blueberries on their own because they are sweet.
If you’re cats are anything like mine, then they will try almost anything that you are eating. And if you are enjoying it, then they will feel the need to taste it multiple times.
Cats are also known for being neophilic– they have a love of new tastes and textures. So, your cat may be excited to eat a blueberry. And because cats like wet textures, once a cat discovers blueberries are juicy, these berries may become a favorite treat.
Can Cats Have Frozen Blueberries?
If your cats like blueberries, you may be wondering if frozen blueberries are safe for cats as well. The good news is that yes, they are still safe for cats to consume.
The only downside to frozen blueberries is the size and the temperature. Your cat may not love the cold blueberry. (Or they may love it!).
The other issue could be the size. Cats could have a hard time biting into a frozen blueberry, so you may need to shop it into smaller pieces if your cat seems very interested in eating it.
Can Blueberries Hurt Cats?
Are blueberries bad for cats?
Hey! Silly goose! Did you read above? Fear not. Blueberries are safe for cats. Blueberries aren’t considered a superfood for cats like they are for people, but the antioxidants in blueberries are good for cats, too.
How to introduce cats to blueberries
If you want to give cats some extra antioxidants, or just want to add blueberries to your cats diet, you can trick your cat into eating this fruit.
The easiest way to do this is to add blueberries to either their wet or dry food. If your cats eat AROUND the next treat, there are still options.
My favorite way to get cats to TRY something, is to eat it myself and “pretend” like I don’t want them to eat it. (Guys, I’m going to be a great mother! LOL). They are immediately interested in the food, and will try it. Mwahahahah!
How many blueberries can cats eat?
While blueberries are safe for your cats, they are still carnivores. You want them to have a complete and balance diet so typical wet and/or dry cat food. Blueberries should be treated as special treats. Think about blueberries like you would any other treat for your cat.
Everything extra for your cat should be fed in moderation. The same thing is true for blueberries.
Conclusion
So can cats eat blueberries? Yes! Blueberries are completely safe for cats. Just make sure you do it in moderation!