Can cats eat blueberries? Although blueberries are not a superfood for cats as they are with humans, the answer to this question is yes. The antioxidants contained in blueberries have benefits to humans and cats. Surprisingly, blueberries make an excellent healthy treat for cats. For this reason, a cat’s favorite treats contain blueberry powder.
This article is going to tell you how to get your cat to eat blueberries. In addition, we will provide a recipe for a blueberry treat you can make for your kitty.
Should Cats Eat Blueberries
As you are well aware, cats are carnivorous. However, they have been known to enjoy grains, vegetables, cat-safe fruits, and yes — even blueberries! Your next question is probably this, “How can I get my cat to eat blueberries?”
Your cat may already be eating blueberries because some commercial cat foods or treats contain blueberry powder. Otherwise, the following steps are one way to introduce blueberries to your cat’s diet
- Wash the blueberries– this removes any pesticides or dirt remaining on them.
- Cut open a blueberry to expose its tender, moist pulp.
- Create a pate or paste by smashing the berries.
- To provide the kitty with a different sensation, freeze this mixture.
- At mealtime, place a small dollop of this blueberry paste atop dry or wet food.
Sometimes it takes a few attempts and different food items to convince the kitty to try the blueberries. Like people, cats have individual choices and tastes for the food they consume.
Health Benefits of Blueberries For Cats
We all know that blueberries are considered a wonder food to humans. Blueberries are not only human food. Although not a superfood to cats, they have many health benefits.
Blueberries are low in carbohydrates. They contain 84% water, 14% carbohydrates, tiny amounts of fat, and a small source of protein. Carbohydrates are derived from simple sugars. These sugars are fructose and glucose. Yet, there is also fiber contained in blueberries besides fructose and glucose. Because of this, the number of fruits you give your cat can make blueberries bad for him/her. Blueberries and other fruits shouldn’t make up more than 10% of daily calories.
Blueberries are an excellent source of fiber, which is an essential part of a regular diet. The Antioxidants in Blueberries are also essential nutrients. The fiber, combined with other nutrients, helps aid digestion and protects against a number of diseases.
Blueberries are good for us and our feline friends. The content in blueberries is full of lots of minerals and vitamins. These vitamins are copper, vitamin B6, and E (in tiny bits). There is also Vitamin C, K1, and Manganese in vitamins.
Blueberries also act as a natural preservative to your cat’s food. A lot of cat food labels have blueberry extract in their list of ingredients. It has become quite popular as an additive in commercial pet foods. The antioxidant in these tiny berries is quite remarkable in food preservation.
Are Blueberries Harmful to Your Cat?
As we have explored early in this article, blueberries are not harmful to your kitty. However, they must be consumed in small amounts. The daily intake of blueberries cannot exceed ten percent of a cat’s total daily calorie intake. Over indulging can cause excessive thirst and an upset stomach. Pet owners should keep this in mind, so no urgent medical condition occurs resulting in a trip to the vet.
How Many Blueberries Can a Cat Eat?
If the commercial cat foods you feed your feline is giving her/him a balanced diet, she/he shouldn’t eat too many blueberries. When feeding cats blueberries, treat it as you would any other treat. It might not be wise to feed him/her blueberry pancakes. The daily calories should make up no more than ten percent of the total caloric intake. Keep the amounts of blueberries to just one or two raw blueberries so as not to cause stomach upset. Give your feline friend a couple of blueberries as an occasional treat.
No-Bake Blueberry Recipe for Your Feline
In less than half an hour, your kitty can be snacking on these delicious and healthy blueberry treats. Here is a recipe we found that is simple to prepare. These treats may be stored for up to a week as long as you keep them refrigerated in a tightly sealed container.
Preparation Information:
These snacks take about 15 minutes to prepare.
Stovetop cooking time is about 5 minutes.
Makes 15 servings
Calories: 2453
What you Need:
- ⅔ c. peanut butter (organic brand)
- ½ c. Manuka honey (raw)
- 2 t. Coconut oil (unrefined and organic)
- ½ cup of blueberries (frozen, chopped, and organic)
- 1 ⅔ c. oats (rolled organic)
- 1 t. Vanilla flavoring
How to Mix it Up:
Step 1: You will need a small saucepan and a glass bowl with a lid that fits tightly for this step.
Pour the water halfway into the saucepan; then put the glass bowl over the top of it. If the water and bowl touch each other, decrease the amount of water inside.
Step 2: Next, put the honey, coconut oil, carob, and peanut butter inside the glass bowl and allow the water to simmer.
Step 3: Stir the peanut butter combination slowly as the water starts simmering. Continue stirring until all ingredients are melted completely.
Step 4: Take the melted mixture off the flame, add vanilla flavoring and completely whisk it in. Place the mixture aside for a few minutes.
Step 5: Now pour this mixture into a bowl along with the oats and blueberries. Using a fork, blend in all together.
Step 6: You can make fun shapes using cooking cutters. Or you can just make small balls using your spoon to shape.
Step 7: Put your kitty treats in the refrigerator to chill for about 10 minutes. Next meal time, the treats are ready to serve! Use as a topping on the wet or dry food.
Step 8: Watch your favorite feline enjoy mealtime like she/he never has before with these delicious blueberry treats!!
Tip: Offer plenty of water with these treats to help keep choking or Urinary Tract Infections away,
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the healthiest fruit your cat can eat?
A: The safest, healthiest kinds of fruit for a cat to eat are blueberries, cranberries, citrus fruits, blackberries, and raspberries. These fruits are high in flavonoids, fiber, and antioxidants. Additionally, they are a great source of Vitamin K, source of vitamin C, A, and E.
Q: Can my cat eat blueberries that are frozen?
A: Yes. Your cat can eat this fruit fresh or as a frozen blueberry. Although, these berries should only be about 10 percent of the daily caloric intake of your pet. Make sure to watch out for the sugar content by reading the food packages label.
Q: Why can’t cats taste sweet flavors?
A: This is because of a genetic deficiency that takes away the taste receptors in the taste buds that recognize the sweet taste of blueberries. Your kitty doesn’t have what it takes genetically to taste sweetness. The reason they enjoy blueberries is because of the new texture they present when eating them.
Conclusion
As pet parents, we want the best diets possible for our furry kids. Having read this article, you now know that your cat can eat blueberries. Not only can they eat blueberries, but those tiny berries are good for your furry friend. We also learned that although cats are carnivores, they benefit from other foods besides just meats in their diet.
Blueberries are an antioxidant-rich superfood that has proven benefits for humans and may also benefit cats. These little round berries also do wonder for keeping cat food fresh and preserved. However, blueberries should be considered a treat for cats and they should only make up ten percent, or less, of a cat’s daily calorie intake.
Next time you are in the produce section of the market, don’t forget to buy extra blueberries. Because not only are they a tasty, healthy treat for the humans in your family, but your fur kids will also enjoy the benefits of these sweet, tasty morsels of goodness!
If you have a blueberry-eating tip to share with other cat owners, leave it in the comments section below!
Curious about whether or not other fruits are safe for your cat? Click on this link to find other cat-related fruit articles.
Excited for more blueberry content? Then check out our blueberry page to learn all about how to grow, care for, and harvest this delicious fruit!