Can Cats Eat Raspberries? Is This Berry Good For Your Kitty?

If you want to amp up the flavor of your pies, lemonades, cakes, yogurts, and even steaks, try adding some raspberry fruit into the mix. Its sweet, tart taste will surely add a flavorful twist to your dessert or dish.

A hearty food option that packs a load of health benefits, pet parents can’t help but ask the question: Can cats eat raspberries? Are raspberries safe for cats?

Good thing, FelineLiving is here to answer whatever “Can Cats Eat” question you have in mind. In this article, we don’t only aim to tell you if cats can eat raspberries or if raspberries are safe for cats. Instead, we‘re here to give everything you need to know plus a lot more.

A Quick Look At Raspberries

Scientific name: Rubus idaeous (refers to red raspberries – the most common and popular type)
Fun fact: One raspberry contains around 100 tiny fruits and 100 seeds. 
Dangerous compounds: Xylitol 
Nutrition facts: 100 grams of raspberries contain the following:

• Calories: 53
• Total fat: 0.7 grams
• Sodium: 1 mg
• Potassium: 151 mg
• Dietary Fiber: 7 grams
• Sugar: 4.4 grams
• Protein: 1.2 grams
• Other nutrients: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin B6, Manganese, Iron, Calcium, Vitamin A

NOTE: Not all raspberries are red. These fruits come in a variety of colors, and each color comes with unique amounts of vitamins and minerals.

Can Cats Eat Raspberries?

It is true that in the realm of “people food,” raspberries are among the healthiest fruits on the planet. A fruit that’s high in fiber, antioxidants, and other essential and non-essential nutrients, this berry is loved for its many benefits. Heart health, diabetes management, and cancer prevention are just some of the rewards you can get from eating raspberries.  

However, if you’re among the cat owners who also have a deep affinity for dogs, you’ve probably heard of raspberries’ deadly effects. And so, we start to ask questions like “Can cats eat raspberries?” and “Are raspberries safe for cats?” 

Compared to cantaloupe, which is considered a safe, occasional treat for our feline pals, raspberries are a bit tricky. Why? That’s because the debate on whether this type of berries is toxic or safe for cats remains unsettled. 

One thing is for sure, though. Giving your cat a bite of raspberry in moderation won’t hurt. Thus, you can give raspberries to your cat BUT make sure to give this with caution.

What Benefits Do Cats Get From Eating Raspberries?

Apart from raspberries’ delectable taste, we humans adore this fruit for its many body-enhancing features. Packed with water, fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins (like Vitamin A and C), it is known for its weight loss properties, not to mention its ability to prevent heart disease, regulate blood sugar levels, and boost the immune system. 

With all these pros, who can say NO to raspberries? This just makes this antioxidant-filled fruit a must-have in our daily diet. 

Now, it’s true that raspberries are a health wonder – for humans, but is it the same for cats?

Since animals (your cat included) are made differently, raspberries may have unusual effects on their bodies. Your feline friend, in particular, is a born predator who lives off meat from other animals to survive. Feeding your cat plants does not do much good since your cat’s digestive system is not engineered to handle it. 

Well, despite your feline friends’ meat-eating nature, a cat’s curiosity often gets the best of them. As a result, the brightly colored raspberries (especially the red ones) may entice your cat to try it. If this happens, there’s nothing to fear. As mentioned previously, letting your cat have a few pieces of raspberries won’t hurt them. 

Your cat may not reap all the rewards we get, but your cat can still enjoy a few fringe benefits. Here are some of the good stuff your cat can look forward to.

Great Food For Hydration

Raspberry is among the fruits that have high amounts of water – 85% to be exact. So giving your cat raspberries will help quench their thirst. You can even treat your cat to a piece of this fruit in its frozen form if you want your cat to survive the summer season’s scorching heat. 

May Aid Digestion

Letting your friend cat eat raspberries might help if your cat is constipated. You can thank the dietary fiber content of the raspberry fruit for this.

Possible Side Effects Of Raspberries To Your Pet Cat

Can cats eat raspberries? The short answer here is yes, but there are a couple of essential things to consider. 

Given the reality that our meat-eating cats’ diet should be mostly made up of animal protein, raspberry fruits should only be given in moderation. You ought to remember as well that some of the healthiest human foods are harmful to animals and that too much of everything is bad. 

When it comes to our mouthwatering raspberry fruits, there are a few yet CRITICAL factors to keep in mind before allowing your cat to indulge in a piece of raspberry. Here are some of the potential dangers of this fruit to your cat:

Choking Hazard

Although these bramble fruits are tiny as it is, it can still obstruct your cat’s airways. As such, it is vital to slice this into smaller pieces.

GI Problems

If it’s your pet cat’s first time to cram down on these berries, then make sure to give small amounts. Similar to cat food, a cat’s digestive system takes time to adjust to the new grub and may experience diarrhea, vomiting, or an upset stomach. 

Also, if you know fair well that your finicky cat has a sensitive tummy, it’s best if you don’t let your cat eat raspberry fruits. If, by any chance, your cat shows signs of queasiness after having a bite, contact your veterinarian right away.

Xylitol And Its Effects On Cats

Now, let’s get down to business and discuss in detail the effects of xylitol on cats. 

You’ve probably read on many sites that xylitol is safe for your cat. If you already did your research, you would have also noticed how other sites negate this statement and state the exact opposite. So, what’s the deal with cats and xylitol, and what does this have to do with raspberries?

To start with, according to American Kennel Club (AKC), raspberries contain one of the highest amounts of this natural sweetener. VCA hospitals, on the other hand, state that this compound is highly toxic to dogs and consuming small amounts (around 50mg) can lead to lower blood sugar or hypoglycemia, liver failure, seizures, and if worse comes to worst, it can even cause death.

So, what about cats? Do cats face the same risks?

To answer this, we’d like to mention the study published in 2018. Its results show the lack of toxic effects of xylitol on cats. However, the findings of this study cannot be considered absolute as of yet, and further studies are still needed. 

Based on this, we can safely assume that cats are more resistant compared to their canine counterparts. Add the fact that a cup of raspberries only contains 0.5 grams of xylitol, Cats (as and even your furry pet canines) can have a couple of bites of this luscious fruit. 

Now, before you let your guard down, it’s still better to be wary when feeding your cat this fruit since there are still many grey areas that need to be cleared out. Giving this as an occasional treat is A-okay, but adding this as a staple in your cat’s diet is still a No-no.

Symptoms to Watch Out For

Although, at the moment, there is no concrete evidence of xylitol’s deadly effects on cats, it’s best to keep an eye on your cat in case he or she gobbles a bowl of raspberries.

If this happens and your cat shows any of these symptoms, contact your vet.

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Stinky poop
• Drooling
• Lethargy
• Loss of balance
• Seizures

How To Feed Raspberries To Your Cats?

Can cats eat raspberries? Yes. But, how much raspberries can cats eat? 

If you’ve decided to give in to your cat’s purring, you can give your cat one or two pieces but do this once or twice a week. Giving them raspberries in bulk is a bad idea. So, you can keep that bowl of berries out of your cat’s reach.

Now, if you’re wondering if cats eat raspberries and like it as much as we do – only your cat can tell. Remember, cats are “sweet blind,” so it’s possible that they may just ignore this fruit after having one bite.

Final Thoughts

To wrap it up, here are the main points that you need to remember if you want to feed your cat raspberries: 

• Before you let your cats eat raspberries, it’s best to get your vet’s expert advice.
• Cats can eat raspberries but ONLY as an occasional treat and NOT as a regular part of their diet.
• Raspberries are safe for your cat as long as feedings are done in moderation. 

If you’re afraid to take the risk (given that your cat’s health is much more important), there are many vet-approved treats that your pets can eat as a snack.

Alternatively, you can check out our “Can Cats Eat Human Food” for a list of cat-friendly treats for your pets.

Bonus Topic: Purr-fect Raspberry Recipes For Your Cat

Yup, we’re not yet done here. While your cats might enjoy licking your raspberry yogurt, you might want to try some of these recipes in your spare time. Add these to your cat’s menu if your pet is feeling adventurous.