Can Cats Eat Blackberries? The quick answer: yes, cats can safely eat blackberries, but only in moderation. Blackberries are non-toxic, so it won’t harm your cat to have a bit in her food. Likewise, many cats can only tolerate small bite-size pieces, as blackberries are not an entirely natural part of a cat’s diet.
However, cats cannot thrive on fruits and vegetables. Cat’s are obligate carnivores, and that’s a fact. But occasional treats such as a blackberry once in a blue moon are not going to spell a disaster on your cat.
In fact, blackberries can help your cat in many ways.
But how to feed blackberries to your feline? Do cats even like blackberries? Let’s find out.
Can Cats Have Blackberries?
The short answer is yes, cats can safely eat blackberries. In fact, blackberries are high in antioxidants and packed full of vital elements such as vitamins A, B, C, E, and K. Plus, they also contain highly resourceful minerals like iron and potassium. However, blackberries are only safe when given in moderation, like other fruits.
While some cats may be enticed to eat a blackberry when offered a small bite, others may pass up the treat offer. This might be due to the lack of sweet receptors on the cat’s tongue. Therefore, some cats may not show interest in the sweetness of any fruit.
On the other hand, some cats are like neophiliacs — they love to discover new tastes and textures. And when they find out blackberries are high in moisture from the inside, they will become their favorite treat. But this is not the same case for all kitties.
All in all, blackberry can be considered as one such occasional treat that some cats may appreciate, but in moderation, of course.
So, how good are blackberries? Do they offer any health benefits for cats?
Health Benefits of Blackberries for Cats
Fortunately, kitties can eat blackberries without any problem. Blackberries won’t harm a cat, nor can the foliage where the blackberries are grown are toxic. However, as with all human food for cats, you must feed your cat in moderation when it comes to blackberries.
As for their nutritional value, blackberries have always been praised for their beneficial nutritious content. Blackberries are rich in antioxidants, and they contain plenty of other vital elements that a cat can benefit from, such as:
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin K
- Manganese
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin A
- Calcium
- Potassium
Moreover, antioxidants like anthocyanins that are highly potent in combating free radicals in felines are also included in blackberries. All these essential elements can boost brain activity, promote oral health, and improve digestion and the overall immune system.
So, the answer to the question, “do the health benefits of blackberries for cats stack up?” is clearly yes.
But, do blackberries cut both ways? Can they also be harmful to cats?
What Are the Potential Risks for Cats Eating Blackberries?
Are there any potential risks of feeding blackberries to cats? Not entirely, but yes, blackberries can cause trouble in rare instances.
However, looking at an animal poison control article from ASPCA, we did not find blackberry making the list of foods that should not be fed to pets. As a matter of fact, many fruits are safe for cats[1], while a few, such as grapes and citrus, should be avoided.
But on the subject of blackberries, they are not toxic, and they do not pose any risk to cats. One thing to note is that they can be harmful if they are lodged in your pet’s nasal passage. Likewise, to be on the safer side, you should cut each blackberry in a bite-size portion to prevent it from becoming a choking hazard for your cat.
Further, allergy can be another potential risk. Cats may not be habitual to ingesting foreign food substances like blackberries. Such fruits may be hard for cats to stomach, and cats may start developing digestion problems.
Moreover, blackberries contain a significant amount of sugar. So, if cats are fed too many blackberries over time, this can increase the chances of weight gain, diabetes, and several other health problems.
If you have an outdoor cat, and if you are concerned about her eating any wild blackberries, then you should not worry because cats usually do not eat anything that they are not supposed to eat. So, if you are thinking — “are wild blackberries poisonous to cats?” The answer is no; blackberries are not toxic to cats.
But, if you are planning on feeding blackberries to your cat, how will you choose them?
Let’s help you out.
How to Choose the Best Blackberries for You Cat?
While some cats may not show interest in blackberries, but if you really want to give it a try, you are welcome to do that. But before giving blackberries to your cat, make sure they are fresh and organic. This will reduce the chances of being exposed to any harmful bacteria, pesticides, or other chemicals.
Fresh blackberries are considered the healthiest, and they are full of healthful nutrients. On the other hand, blackberries in processed form, such as in blackberry yogurt, can still pack a punch of heart-healthy perks.
Now, this brings up a new question — “Is blackberry yogurt fine for cats?” Yes, cats can eat blackberry yogurt.
Offering your cat blackberry yogurt in small amounts should not be a problem, as yogurt is one such food that cats can easily digest. One thing to keep in mind is that yogurt contains a lot of sugar, so feeding too much can cause upset stomach issues, diarrhea, or even vomiting in rare cases.
Therefore, you should feed blackberry yogurt to your cat in small proportions only.
Conclusion
Can cats eat blackberries? Yes, cats can safely eat blackberries, but in moderation. In fact, they are very healthy and loaded with nutritional contents and vitamins and minerals. So, it is safe to feed blackberries to your kitty. Blackberries are also low in calories, so that they can make a great addition to cat food.
Moderation is the key to feeding blackberries to your kitty. You should not feed more than two blackberries at a time. Blackberries are enriched with antioxidants along with plenty of vital elements, such as vitamin A, C, E, & K.
Always make sure the blackberries that you serve your cat are fresh and organic. Check how she responds to the fruit; if you notice any adverse effects, stop feeding right away and consult your vet for further information.
Approved by Veterinary – Anthony Brooks, DVM!
References
- Manucy, T. D. (2020, July 1). Which Fruits Can Cats Eat? PetMD. Retrieved September 5, 2022, from https://www.petmd.com/cat/which-fruits-can-cats-eat
- Sharing is Caring: Foods You Can Safely Share with Your Pet. (2021, January 28). ASPCA. Retrieved September 5, 2022, from – ASPCA