Can Cats Eat Blueberry Muffins? Here’s The Truth

One of the best superfoods we humans can consume daily without worrying much about anything else is blueberries!

Antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, copper, manganese, etc., are some of the contents found in this superfood. That’s why humans and dogs love blueberries.

However, knowing that blueberries are full of health benefits, you may yearn to spread their health benefits to your cat too.

Blueberry-based yogurt, blueberry muffin, or anything else with the berries as its key ingredient is what I notice many owners feeding their felines.

But is this right? Can cats eat anything made with blueberries?

Why do vets go against feeding cats anything made with blueberries? If you’re finding answers to these questions, get them here.

Can cats eat blueberry muffins?

Now comes the moment of truth. If your cat has eaten any blueberry muffin or raw blueberry unknowingly, it’s okay as per the vets, as a small number of blueberries won’t harm their health.

However, don’t try to feed them blueberries in any form intentionally. The reason is that blueberries contain some amount of sugar; even though it’s natural, it can prove harmful for them in their later stages of life.

Another reason is that a cat’s digestive system works differently from that of a human being or dog. Blueberries are useful for the health of the latter two but harmful for the former.

Hence, cats can not eat anything made with blueberries, even a blueberry muffin.

To understand more clearly why you shouldn’t feed cats blueberry muffins or blueberries in larger quantities, read below.

Why should you not let your cat eat blueberry muffins?

Now that you know why feeding cats blueberry muffins or anything else made from blueberry is not safe in brief above, below are some strong reasons to justify the above statement.

1. Cat’s digestive system works differently

The way our or any dog’s digestive system works, both can consume anything they like, be it fruits, vegetables, meat-based products, etc.

However, the digestive system of a cat works differently. If fed blueberry muffins or just blueberries as a meal replacement, it can increase their sugar levels and cause diabetes.

According to the vets, the following are some symptoms of diabetes in cats.

  • Excessive thirst,
  • Inability to jump,
  • Poor appetite,
  • Feeling of vomiting, etc.

If your cat exhibits any of these symptoms, quickly get your feline checked for diabetes. 

2. Cats have unique nutritional needs

Unlike the other animals or even predatory animals, the cats have unique nutritional needs.

Such needs can only be satisfied by feeding them a high-quality and balanced diet which isn’t the case with blueberry products.

Hence, merely blueberry muffins or anything else made from blueberry can not fulfill felines’ nutritional requirements. In some cases, blueberries can even cause stomach upset.

3. Cats digest carbs in fruits like blueberries inefficiently

As cats are carnivorous, they can survive on meat and meat-based products. Due to this, their body can digest only meat-based products efficiently and not plant or fruit-based products. 

4. Cats won’t get the sweet taste of blueberry muffins

As cats lack sweet receptors, even if they consume blueberry muffins, they won’t feel its sweetness and will only enjoy the muffins’ fat. 

So, these are the common reasons why you should not feed blueberries in any form, like blueberry muffins, as a meal replacement for your cat.

If you wish, feed only 2-3 blueberries or a small piece of the muffin that too once in a while.

Are blueberry muffins safe for cats?

 

If eaten once in a while, that too organic or cooked ones, blueberries are beneficial for cats just like they’re for humans and other animals.

As blueberries contain plentiful antioxidants, they can inhibit cancer and slow down the aging process of cats. Furthermore, antioxidants present in berries slow down the damage to the cell of the body. 

The fiber present in blueberries fights off inflammation in the body and combats arthritis and bowel diseases common in cats and other animals.

Similar to cranberries, blueberries boost your cat’s urinary tract health. Besides, blueberries come packed with several minerals and essential vitamins like Vitamin B6, E, ascorbic acid (Vitamin C),

Vitamin K1, manganese, etc. So, these are the expected health benefits of blueberries for cats only if fed in limited quantities. 

Do cats like blueberries?

It entirely depends on your cat’s taste buds and preferences. While some cats have equal indulgence for fruits and meats, others may not feel the same for fruits.

So, you’ll have to check whether your cat likes blueberries or not. For this, consult your vet regarding this and ask him what quantity of blueberries the cat can eat as it’ll depend upon her age and size.

Also, as blueberries can not act as a complete meal for cats, please note their daily calorie intake. If 250 calories per day, ensure not more than 20-25 calories come from blueberries.

All in all, most felines are indulgent towards blueberries and, for the rest, some other fruit. 

Can feral cats eat blueberry muffins?

If you don’t know, feral cats don’t like human interaction and are therefore called un-owned domestic cats.

Instead of residing indoors, they find heaven outside the home, on the roads. This behavior of feral cats is due to their genes and upbringing.

However, one similar trait feral cats share with the other cats is that feral felines love all that human food that all other cats like and consume.

However, not directly from the humans. To feed a feral cat blueberry muffins, keep them outside the doors for the cat to consume them freely.

Conclusion

No doubt blueberries are a superfood but only for humans and animals except cats.

A cat is predatory, and that’s why its regular diet should consist of only meat and meat-based ingredients with only a negligible quantity of fruits & vegetables.

It is also why cats crave savory food items and not sweet ones like fruits and certain vegetables.

Furthermore, domesticated cats lack an exceptional taste receptor gene called TAS1R2 that deters felines from identifying sweet flavors.

Hence, if your cat consumes blueberry muffins or anything else by mistake, it’s okay but doesn’t feed her intentionally.