Being a cat owner gulping those sweet and tangy blueberries can have two more eyes looking fixedly at you to have a split share from your blueberry bowl. Yes, we are talking about your feline friends who may look at you with those pampered eyes. And definitely, you would not love to be a cruel master in such a case, right? But can your cats eat blueberries? If at all they can eat it, how should I feed them? If these are a few questions hitting your mind, then you have come to the right place where you can get answers to all your queries. Read on to find out more about cats and blueberries:
Can my cat eat blueberries?
Yes, of course, they can but in moderation! Though cats do not eat many fruits, felines are known to be neophilia in nature, and thus they love to explore new textures and tastes. Therefore, there is high chance that your cats nod to try those blue-colored sweet balls.
Benefits of Blueberries
Blueberries are no less than a superfood that is highly nutritional and has some incredible health benefits. Studies show that blueberries are a nutritious supplement for humans, and the same fit true for your cats too. These fruits have antioxidant constituents that are responsible for slowing down the aging process and can also help in combating diseases.
Blueberries are also rich in fiber and have lower levels of calories and fats and thus tend to be a natural yet tasty munch for your felines. Also, they are rich in vitamins A, E, C, and K, which can fulfill the vitamin needs of your cats. They contain other minerals, namely manganese, potassium, iron, and also support in maintaining better bone health.
What types of blueberries can be consumed by cats?
Blueberries are a healthy food option and can serve as a healthy and tasty treat for your felines. Cooked and fresh blueberries, both forms, can be fed to cats, but going in for organic blueberries are a much better option as they are free from any sort of pesticides and chemicals that may harm your cats. But make sure that you always wash the fruits before feeding the same to your felines.
How many blueberries should I give to my cat?
Blueberries should not be used as a main course food and should be given as an occasional treat. A 10% intake in daily diet is sufficient if you plan to feed them blueberries daily. Going by the count, it sums down to three to four blueberries at a time.
What if my cat makes a fuss about eating blueberries?
Blueberries are typically sweet, and cats may not be attracted to its flavor owing to the sweetness of the fruit. On the contrary, cats are thorough carnivores and may not like the idea of feeding on veggies and fruits. Though there are high chances that your cats may be fussy about eating blueberries, there may be a few who may love to treat on novelty flavors and textures and thus may gulp down the blueberries.
Also, you need to know that blueberries do have potential health benefits, but it need not necessarily be on your cat’s plate. So, if your cats behave weird while you try feeding them blueberries, it is not necessary to press them for having the same. You can leave it on the choice and preference of cats as there is no harm if your cats don’t include blueberries in their diet.
How to feed blueberries to your cats?
As mentioned earlier, fresh and frozen blueberries both are a safe option to feed your cats. Cat parents may consider squishing the blueberries using a fork before feeding the same to your cats as the juicy flavors may make the blueberries look tempting and alluring enough to get your pets to have a lick. Also, this method of feeding is suggested because there are high chances that your cats may treat them as blue balls and may start playing with it instead of eating it.
Another method of feeding your cats with blueberries is to coat it with yogurt to make those blue balls serve as a digestion booster for your kitties. Yogurt can act helpful as an immunity booster, which can lead the good bacterial contents present in the yogurt straight to the small intestine of your furry friends.
You can also give blueberry jam to your pussy cats, but make sure that it is home-cooked and has no additional sugar content as too much sugar can pose a health threat for your cats and lead to diabetes and obesity.
Blueberries are a healthy supplement, but it should not become a daily diet staple for your cats. Your cats should be fed with a balanced diet that includes all the nutritional value ingredients for them to stay fit and healthy. May it be dry kibble, processed cat food, canned food, or home-cooked food, your cats should be fed with all the nutrition. If your cat craves blueberries, you can also choose to feed your cat with Farmina N&D Dry cat food with a flavor of Blueberries.
Which type of cats shouldn’t be fed with blueberries?
Though there is no harm in feeding your cats with blueberries, care should be taken that cats with weak gastrointestinal system and who have succumbed urinary calculus should be kept at bay from consuming these berries. Also, if your cats are allergic to blueberries, do not force them to have it. To check if your cats are allergic to blueberries, consider giving the berries in a small amount. If you happen to notice that they vomit it out or accrue diarrhea symptoms, stop it straight off and consider medical advice from a vet.
Conclusion
Blueberries have high vitamin and nutritional contents and stand out as a superfood pretty good to feed your cats with, but do not overfeed them with these berries. Moderation is the key, and using these munchies in moderation can allow you and your kitties to have some jolly good nibbling time giving health benefits in return.
