Can Cats Eat Blueberries Safely?

cat with blueberries — Whoa, buddy. You should be having two to three blueberries *max*. Bondar Illia / Shutterstock

Can cats eat blueberries? Yes, cats can eat blueberries in small quantities. While cats are obligate carnivores — meaning they need animal proteins to thrive — certain fruits, including blueberries, can be a safe and occasional treat.

But like all human foods, moderation is key.

Unlike humans, cats lack sweet taste receptors, so they don’t enjoy blueberries for their flavor. Instead, feeding cats blueberries is more about providing variety and enrichment than nutritional necessity.

Contents

Are Blueberries Safe for Cats?
How Many Blueberries Can a Cat Eat?
Health Benefits and Limits
How to Safely Feed Blueberries
When to Avoid Blueberries
A Word to Pet Owners About Their Cat's Diet

Are Blueberries Safe for Cats?

Fresh blueberries are generally safe for cats to eat. They’re not toxic to cats and don’t contain any harmful compounds like citrus fruits do.

How Many Blueberries Can a Cat Eat?

Cats should only eat berries in small quantities — one or two berries at a time is plenty.

Feeding too many blueberries can cause digestive upset. Cats have different digestive systems than humans, and excessive fruit can lead to stomach issues or diarrhea.

Health Benefits and Limits

Blueberries are packed with antioxidants, vitamin C, and fiber, which support immune health and digestion in humans.

While some of these nutrients may offer benefits to cats, the effects are limited. A healthy cat’s immune system and overall health are best supported through a balanced diet of animal proteins.

For healthy cats, the occasional blueberry might add a minor antioxidant boost and even help with hydration thanks to the fruit’s water content, but be sure to weigh the sugar content against other minor nutritional benefits.

How to Safely Feed Blueberries

Fresh blueberries — Blueberries are relatively small, but you may want to cut them into even smaller pieces to make sure your cat doesn't choke on the food. Liami / Shutterstock

If you want to try feeding your cat blueberries:

Offer only fresh blueberries (not blueberry muffins or blueberry extract)
Wash thoroughly and cut in half to avoid choking hazards
Start with one berry to see how your cat reacts
Never substitute fruit for wet food or complete cat meals

Pet parents should also avoid giving their cat frozen berries unless thawed and softened.

Chocking hazards aside, blueberries are generally only a danger to a cat's health when fed in dried or processed forms that contain added sugar or other ingredients.

When to Avoid Blueberries

Not all cats tolerate fruit well. If your cat develops digestive issues or an upset stomach after eating blueberries, discontinue feeding them. Adult cats with sensitive digestive systems may react more negatively to new foods.

Cats that already eat a nutritionally complete diet through high-quality cat food do not need fruit treats for their well-being. Too much sugar — even from natural sources — is bad for cats and can lead to weight gain or blood sugar imbalances.

A Word to Pet Owners About Their Cat's Diet

Cat eating treat — Cat treats are much better than human food when you want to give your cat something special. Vershinin89 / Shutterstock

Cats can eat blueberries, but only as a rare and refreshing snack. Feeding one at first is a safe way to see if your feline friend enjoys this new texture.

Always watch for negative reactions and avoid blueberry products high in sugar.

Giving your cat blueberries should be about curiosity and enrichment — not nutrition. Stick to meat eaters’ needs first, and let fruits be a small supplement, not a staple.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.