By Dial A Vet Veterinary Team
The blueberry is rarely the problem. When a cat gets sick after a "blueberry" snack, it is almost always because of what the berries were baked, blended or spread into. A muffin brings butter, flour and sugar. A yoghurt brings dairy. A sugar-free jam or baked good may bring xylitol, and a breakfast loaf may hide sultanas. This guide walks through the common blueberry foods in an Australian kitchen and how worried to be about each.
Key takeaways
- Plain blueberries are not on veterinary lists of foods harmful to cats. Blueberry products are a different matter.
- Check the label for xylitol, raisins, sultanas or currants, chocolate, macadamia nuts and alcohol.
- Dairy and fat (yoghurt, cream, cheesecake, muffins) are the most common cause of vomiting and diarrhoea after a stolen treat.
- Raw batter or dough is riskier than the cooked product.
- When in doubt, keep the wrapper or tub and call your vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline (1300 869 738).
- Related reading: xylitol and cats, raisins and cats.
Blueberry muffins, pancakes and loaves
These are made from flour, sugar, butter or oil, eggs and milk. None of that is toxic in small amounts, but it is rich food for a carnivore. The ASPCA notes fatty foods can cause vomiting and diarrhoea and may contribute to pancreatitis in some pets. Cornell Feline Health Center notes that in most cats with pancreatitis no cause is found, so a muffin is not a predictable trigger, but rich food is still a common reason for a cat to vomit.
Look out for mixed-berry and breakfast loaves that include sultanas or raisins, and for white chocolate or macadamia versions. The RSPCA lists grapes, raisins, sultanas, currants, chocolate and nuts (including macadamia nuts) among foods harmful to cats.
Blueberry yoghurt and smoothies
Many owners think yoghurt is gentle for cats. Cornell advises that milk is not generally recommended for cats because many are lactose intolerant, and the RSPCA advises against giving cats milk. Flavoured yoghurt adds sugar and sometimes sweeteners. A lick from the lid is unlikely to matter. A tub's worth can mean a messy bout of diarrhoea. Smoothies may include banana, honey, protein powder or nut butters, so check what went in.
Blueberry jam and pie filling
Jam is mostly sugar. Cats cannot taste sweetness, according to research on the feline sweet receptor gene, so it offers them nothing. Ordinary jam is not toxic, but "no added sugar" and diet jams may use sweeteners, so read the label.
Sugar-free and "keto" blueberry products
Xylitol is well known to be dangerous to dogs. The evidence in cats is limited: a 2018 study in six healthy cats found no toxic effects at doses known to harm dogs. That is reassuring, but it is one small study, and sugar-free products often contain other ingredients that matter. If your cat has eaten a sugar-free product, call your vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline for advice rather than assuming it is safe.
Raw batter and dough
Raw batter contains raw egg. The ASPCA notes raw eggs can carry bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli. Yeasted blueberry bun or brioche dough is more serious: the ASPCA and Pet Poison Helpline both warn that raw yeast dough can expand in the stomach and produce alcohol, and Pet Poison Helpline notes this applies to cats as well as dogs.
Blueberry cheesecake and cream desserts
High in fat and dairy, often with a buttery biscuit base. These are the most likely blueberry foods to upset a cat's stomach. Chocolate bases and white chocolate toppings add methylxanthines, which Merck notes can cause signs within 6 to 12 hours of eating.
Signs to watch for
- vomiting or diarrhoea
- reduced appetite or hiding
- bloated or tender belly (especially after raw dough)
- wobbliness, unusual sleepiness or low body temperature (possible alcohol from dough)
- restlessness, tremors or a racing heart (chocolate)
When it is an emergency
Call your vet or emergency clinic straight away if your cat:
- ate raw yeast dough, or seems bloated, wobbly or very sleepy
- ate something containing chocolate, raisins, sultanas or macadamia nuts
- vomits repeatedly or seems painful
- is trembling, seizing or collapses
Bring the packaging. Do not make your cat vomit at home unless your vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline (1300 869 738) tells you to.
How vets work through it
Your vet will go through the ingredient list with you, estimate how much was eaten, and weigh each ingredient against your cat's size and health. Sometimes the plan is home monitoring. Sometimes it is a clinic visit to empty the stomach, run blood tests or give fluids. Bringing the wrapper saves time.
Keeping blueberry treats cat-friendly
If your cat enjoys blueberries, keep a couple of plain berries aside before baking, wash them and offer one, squashed for small cats. Keep all treats within Cornell's guide of no more than 10 to 15 percent of daily calories.
FAQ
My cat licked blueberry yoghurt off my spoon. Is that OK?
A lick is unlikely to cause more than a mild upset. Check the label for sweeteners and watch for diarrhoea.
Is a bite of blueberry muffin dangerous?
Usually not, unless it contains chocolate, raisins, sultanas or macadamia nuts. Expect, at most, mild vomiting or soft stool.
Are blueberry cat treats OK?
Treats made for cats, fed as directed on the pack, are fine. They are formulated with cats in mind.
Are blueberry pancakes with maple syrup a problem?
Small bites are unlikely to be dangerous, but the butter and syrup are rich and sugary. Keep them for the humans.
Talk with a vet
If your cat has raided the breakfast table and you are not sure what to do, a Dial A Vet veterinarian can go through the ingredients with you. 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.
- Cornell Feline Health Center. Feline Pancreatitis.
- Li X, et al. Pseudogenization of a Sweet-Receptor Gene Accounts for Cats' Indifference toward Sugar. PLoS Genetics. 2005;1(1):e3.
- Jerzsele A, et al. Effects of p.o. administered xylitol in cats. Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 2018;41(3):409-414.
- Pet Poison Helpline. Bread Dough.
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Chocolate Toxicosis in Animals.
- 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.