By Dial A Vet Veterinary Team
Plenty of cats ignore fruit completely. A few take a real interest in blueberries, usually because they roll and squash nicely rather than because of the taste. If your cat has eaten one or two plain blueberries, there is no need to worry. Blueberries are not on the veterinary lists of foods harmful to cats, and they can be an occasional, tiny treat for a cat that likes them. They are not a health food for cats, though, and the main risks are an upset stomach and a berry going down the wrong way.
Key takeaways
- Plain fresh or frozen blueberries are not known to be toxic to cats. They are a low-risk treat in very small amounts.
- Cats cannot taste sweetness, so most are more interested in texture than flavour.
- Offer one or two berries, washed, and halved or squashed for small cats and kittens.
- Too many can cause vomiting or diarrhoea.
- Blueberry products such as muffins, jams, yoghurts and pies are a different story because of their other ingredients.
- Related reading: grapes and cats, xylitol and cats.
Are blueberries safe for cats?
Neither the ASPCA's list of people foods to avoid nor the RSPCA's list of foods harmful to cats includes blueberries. That fits with what vets see in practice: a stolen blueberry is rarely a problem.
What blueberries are not is necessary. Cornell Feline Health Center describes cats as obligate carnivores that rely on nutrients found only in animal products. A complete and balanced cat food covers everything your cat needs, so blueberries add variety and fun rather than nutrition. You may read that blueberry antioxidants help cats. There is no good evidence that a few berries make a measurable difference to a healthy cat.
Why some cats like them anyway
Research on the cat sweet taste receptor found that the gene for one part of it does not work in cats, which explains why cats are indifferent to sugar. So a cat that "likes" blueberries is probably responding to the cold, the squish and the way they roll across the floor. Some cats enjoy a frozen blueberry as a toy as much as a snack.
How to offer blueberries
- Choose plain blueberries, fresh or frozen, with nothing added.
- Wash them to remove dirt and residue.
- Cut or squash each berry for small cats and kittens. Whole berries are about the right size to lodge in a small throat.
- Start with one berry and see how your cat's stomach handles it.
- Keep it occasional. One or two berries is plenty for most cats.
Cornell suggests treats in total should make up no more than 10 to 15 percent of a cat's daily calories. Blueberries are low in calories, so the limit is less about weight and more about gut comfort.
Skip blueberries for cats with diabetes or a sensitive gut unless your vet is happy with it. Cornell notes that a diet low in carbohydrates has been shown to improve blood sugar regulation in diabetic cats, so any sugary extra is worth discussing.
When blueberries cause trouble
Problems are uncommon and usually mild:
- vomiting, especially after several berries eaten quickly
- soft stool or diarrhoea
- gagging or coughing if a whole berry went down badly
Mouldy or fermenting berries are a separate concern. The RSPCA lists mouldy or spoiled foods among things that can harm cats, so do not offer old fruit from the back of the fridge.
When it is an emergency
Get veterinary help straight away if your cat:
- is choking, gagging repeatedly or struggling to breathe
- vomits repeatedly, cannot keep water down or seems painful in the belly
- ate a blueberry product that may contain xylitol, raisins, chocolate or alcohol
- ate mouldy fruit and is trembling, wobbly or unusually agitated
The Animal Poisons Helpline (1300 869 738) can advise on possible poisonings. Do not make your cat vomit at home unless a vet or the helpline asks you to.
How vets handle fruit-related upsets
For plain blueberries, most advice is to watch at home and offer water. If vomiting or diarrhoea does not settle, your vet will examine your cat, check hydration and may give fluids or medicine to settle the stomach. If a product with risky ingredients was eaten, they will ask for the packaging so they can assess each ingredient.
Fruits to treat differently
Blueberries are easy to confuse with other fruits in the fruit bowl. Grapes, raisins, sultanas and currants are listed by the RSPCA as harmful to cats. Their effect in cats is less clear than in dogs, as discussed in our grapes guide, but they should still be kept away. Fruit stones and seeds are also on the RSPCA harmful list.
FAQ
Can kittens eat blueberries?
Kittens are better off with their kitten food. If you do offer one, squash it first and give no more than a tiny piece.
Are frozen blueberries OK?
Yes, if they are plain. Let them soften slightly or squash them, and offer just one.
Can cats eat dried blueberries?
Dried fruit is more concentrated in sugar and is sometimes mixed with raisins or sultanas. It is better avoided.
My cat ate about ten blueberries. What should I do?
Watch for vomiting or diarrhoea and offer fresh water. Call your vet if your cat seems unwell or the upset continues.
Talk with a vet
If you are not sure whether a food is right for your cat, or your cat has a health condition, a Dial A Vet veterinarian can help you plan treats that suit. Book a Dial A Vet consult.
References
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control. People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets.
- RSPCA Knowledgebase. What should I feed my cat?
- Cornell Feline Health Center. Feeding Your Cat.
- Li X, et al. Pseudogenization of a Sweet-Receptor Gene Accounts for Cats' Indifference toward Sugar. PLoS Genetics. 2005;1(1):e3.
- Cornell Feline Health Center. Feline Diabetes.
- Animal Poisons Helpline (Australia, 1300 869 738). Animal Poisons Helpline: 24/7 Pet Poisoning Advice.
Disclaimer: Educational only. This page does not replace an examination or advice from your own veterinarian. If you are worried about your pet right now, contact your local vet or nearest emergency animal hospital.