Cats · Guide
Can Cats Eat Blueberries?
Yes, cats can have a few plain blueberries as a rare treat. Here’s how to serve them, why cats don’t need them, and what to know about blueberry muffins.
Yes, cats can eat a few plain blueberries once in a while. The ASPCA lists blueberries as an okay fruit treat for pets. But cats are meat eaters and don’t need fruit, so treat blueberries as a rare extra. Offer one or two berries at most, and keep up your cat’s regular food.
Are blueberries safe for cats?
The ASPCA includes blueberries on its list of fruits that are okay to give to pets. Its article is written for pets in general and doesn’t name cats, so go slowly and watch how your cat reacts. The ASPCA also warns that too much of a food your pet isn’t used to can cause an upset stomach.
If your cat swallowed a blueberry or two, there’s no reason to worry. Just keep an eye out for vomiting or diarrhea.
Do cats need blueberries?
No. Cornell says cats are obligate carnivores. That means they rely on nutrients that come only from animal products. In the wild, their food has lots of protein and fat and very few carbohydrates. Blueberries are a fruit with sugar, so they give your cat little that its regular food doesn’t already provide.
The Merck Veterinary Manual advises feeding cats a complete, balanced food made for cats and avoiding table scraps. Think of a blueberry as a fun taste, not as nutrition.
How can I serve blueberries to my cat?
- Pick plain berries. Fresh ones are best. Skip anything sweetened, flavored, or mixed with other ingredients.
- Wash them first.
- Cut a hard berry into small pieces. The ASPCA suggests bite-sized pieces for harder fruit. A whole berry can be tricky for a small cat to chew.
- Start with one berry. Wait a day and watch for vomiting or diarrhea before offering more.
- Stop if your cat has trouble. Many cats just aren’t interested, and that’s fine.
How many blueberries can a cat have?
The sources don’t give a number of berries. They do give limits for all treats together. Cornell says treats should stay under about 10 to 15 percent of your cat’s daily calories. The ASPCA suggests no more than 5 percent for pet snacks. Because cats are small, that’s not much. Giving one or two berries now and then keeps you well under the limit.
Ask your vet first if your cat has diabetes, is overweight, or has other health problems.
Other kinds of blueberry foods
Can cats eat blueberry muffins?
No, it’s best to skip them. A blueberry muffin has only a few berries, and the rest is flour, sugar, and fat. The ASPCA says people food is often high in fat and sugar, and too much can cause pancreatitis. That’s a painful swelling of the pancreas, and it sometimes means a stay at the animal hospital. Muffins may also contain milk or butter, and the ASPCA says dairy can cause diarrhea or an upset stomach in pets.
A small crumb of plain muffin that falls on the floor is unlikely to hurt a healthy cat. But a muffin gives your cat nothing useful.
Read the ingredient list and keep the wrapper so you can tell the vet exactly what was in it. To learn more, see our guide on whether cats can eat chocolate.
Better treats for your cat
- Treats made for cats
- A few pieces of your cat’s regular food, given as a reward
Whatever you choose, most of your cat’s calories should come from a complete and balanced cat food. For the people foods that are truly dangerous, see our guide to foods that are toxic to cats.
Common questions
Do cats need blueberries in their diet?
No. Cornell says cats are obligate carnivores, which means they rely on nutrients found only in animal products. A complete and balanced cat food already gives your cat what it needs.
How many treats can a cat have each day?
Cornell suggests treats should stay under 10 to 15 percent of your cat's daily calories. The ASPCA suggests an even lower limit of 5 percent for pet snacks. Blueberries count as treats.
Can cats eat blueberry yogurt or other dairy with blueberries?
It is best to skip it. The ASPCA says pets don't make enough of the enzyme that breaks down lactose, so dairy can cause diarrhea or an upset stomach. Offer a plain berry instead.
My cat ate a blueberry muffin. What should I do?
Check the ingredients. If it had chocolate, call your vet or a poison hotline right away. If it was plain, watch for vomiting or diarrhea, and call your vet if your cat seems sick.