Blackberries are very beneficial to us, humans in many ways and they taste good but are they as good for cats? Can cats eat blackberries?
The short answer is “Yes, cats can eat blackberries”. However, there are a few points to take into consideration before you feed blackberries to your little friend. Now that we answered the question “can cats eat blackberries”, let’s ask some other questions. Should cats eat blackberries and if they can, how?
Can cats eat blackberries?
No part of blackberries are harmful to cats. Leaves, branches (as long as there are no thorns on them), fruits and even the roots do not carry any kind of poisonous substance that can harm cats so cats can eat blackberries but just like raspberries, they need to be given in moderation.
What happens if a cat eats too many blackberries?
You should always keep in mind that cats are obligate carnivores which means that they need meat to survive and their main diet should consist of animal proteins so vegetables and fruits can only be given in moderation which is actually not that much.
Depending on the size of your kitty only 2 or 3 blackberries is the limit. More than that can upset your cat’s stomach or cause diarrhea and other gastrointestinal issues.
Are there any health benefits of feeding blackberries to cats?
Blackberries contain a high amounts of antioxidants, flavonoids, and fiber which are all good for the little troublemakerbut that’s not all. They also contain Vitamins A, C, E, and K which can boost your cat’s immune system.
As mentioned above, cats are carnivores so the health benefits they get from plants are limited.
Are there any dangers associated with blackberries?
Yes, there are. Due to their size and shape, blackberries pose a choking hazard for our feline friends. PetMD specifically recommends that blackberries should be cut into bite-size portions before given to any cat. Actually, this is true for any kind of berry whether it is a strawberry, blueberry or raspberry.
Do cats like blackberries?
Most of the time you don’t even need to think if cats can eat blackberries because most cats don’t want to eat blackberries however they are curious creatures and may want to try a bite while you are enjoying some. Generally you don’t even see your cat around when you are snacking on some fruits, as opposed to a juicy chicken or steak.
If there are blackberry bushes in your neighbourhood, you may see that the only thing cats are interested about the bushes is the birds coming for a quick snack of blackberries. This being said, some cats are particularly interested in blackberries and that’s perfectly fine as long as they don’t eat much.
How can I convince my cat to eat blackberries?
If your cat doesn’t want to, then don’t push it. Cats being cats, don’t really care much about what you want. They have their own kingdom in the apartment that you are paying for. If a cat doesn’t want something, it will most probably will not do it.
If you really want your cat to taste this delicious fruit, you may mix it with a very small amount of yoghurt but be careful about the yoghurt portion because most cats are lactose intolerant and yoghurt may cause havoc in their intestines.
Also please don’t give any of those packaged blackberry yoghurts to your cat. Those “things” have a lot of additives in them which are really harmful for the kitty.
Conclusion – Can cats eat blackberries?
So, can cats eat blackberries? Yes, cats can safely eat blackberries as long as they are given in moderation and as occasional snacks. Make sure you serve blackberries in bite-sized portions to prevent any choking hazard.
Do not, under any circumstances, try to replace meat or a well-balanced cat food with blackberries or any other beneficial fruits or vegetables such as cucumbers or avocados.
If it is the first time your cat tries blackberries, give a very small amount and observe for any allergic or adverse effects. If you see any unusual behavior, call your veterinarian immediately.
