Can Cats Eat Cranberries?

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Cranberries have many reported health benefits for people, including boosting urinary tract health. In cats, the nutritional benefit is less clear, although they may gain some boost from the multitude of vitamins and antioxidants that these small juicy fruits contain. Importantly, cranberries are safe for cats to consume in small quantities if they like the taste.

Toxic: No

Commonly Allergenic: No

Species Appropriate: No

How Often to Feed: Occasional

How Much to Feed: Supplemental

Summary of Content

Cats can eat a small number of cranberries as an occasional treat or enrichment exercise, but they should form a very minor part of their diet.

 

Can Cats Have Cranberries?

Cats should have a diet that is based upon animal-sourced protein. Kirsten McCarthy / Cats.com

If you’ve been wondering whether your cat can have a few cranberries, the short answer is yes. Cranberries are perfectly safe for cats to eat, as long as they are fed in small quantities and appropriately cut to size to prevent choking.

As cats are obligate carnivores, the vast majority of their diet should come from animal-based proteins. However, a small amount of plant material isn’t a problem for their digestive system or health, although they may gain little nutritional benefit.

Are Cranberries Good for Cats?

So, cranberries are safe for cats to eat – but are they actually good for them?

Cranberries contain good levels of Vitamin C, Vitamin K and manganese. Vitamin C is highly necessary for good immune function, while Vitamin K plays a vital role in blood clotting and manganese is used in bone formation and metabolism. In humans, cranberries are also touted to have some effect on reducing urinary tract infections (UTIs) due to the presence of compounds called proanthocyanidins which may reduce the ability of bacteria such as E. Coli to adhere to the bladder wall.

In cats, the health benefits of cranberries are less definite. Unlike humans, cats produce enough Vitamin C that they don’t require extra in their diet. The need for Vitamin K supplementation is also rare, and it is usually only given when a deficiency has been caused by certain health conditions, such as liver disease or in cases of rodenticide toxicity.

One small study did find that cranberry extract may help reduce lower urinary tract symptoms in cats with idiopathic cystitis, but the evidence is not currently strong enough to base recommendations on. Excessive cranberry ingestion could actually have the opposite effect and predispose your cat to bladder crystals and stones. If your cat has urinary health problems, always consult a veterinarian about suitable treatment and supplements.

How Much Cranberry Can a Cat Eat?

even safe fruit and vegetables should still be fed in small amounts only to cats. ako photography / Shutterstock.com

The majority of a cat’s diet should be made up of nutritionally complete and balanced food for their age and activity level. This will contain all the protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals they need to thrive.

This nutritionally balanced food should make up around 90% of your cat’s diet, with the other 10% allowed to be snacks and treats – including cranberries. This is only around 20 calories, so as a general rule, extras should be kept small and occasional. Cranberries and other safe fruits such as strawberries, apples and bananas can be given in small quantities and not too frequently. Always wash fruit before serving and chop into fine pieces to avoid them being a choking hazard.

Too much cranberry may cause an upset stomach, so keep portions small. If your cat has never had cranberries before, give them a small piece and then wait 48 hours before trying more to make sure they don’t have a bad reaction.

So Are Cranberries Bad for Cats?

Cranberries aren’t unsafe or toxic for cats, but they don’t provide a very nutritionally balanced food either. Too much cranberry can give some cats symptoms of gastrointestinal upset (vomiting and/or diarrhea). They also contain a lot of sugar, so are not suitable in anything other than small quantities.

Do Cats Like the Taste of Cranberry?

Cats have quite a different sense of taste from humans. Firstly, they have fewer taste buds than us, with only around 400 – humans can have up to 8000! They also have different taste receptors, with cats unable to taste sweetness. This makes it a bit difficult to know if and why cats like cranberry and other sweet, fruity flavors. It seems to be very individual to each cat, so you might not know until you try them with a tiny taste!

Are Cranberries Used in Commercial Cat Foods?

Some commercial cat diets may include small amounts of cranberry. Kirsten McCarthy / Cats.com

Cranberries are occasionally included as an ingredient in commercial cat food – for example, in the Purina One Dual Nature UriBalance food – especially if the diet is aimed towards supporting urinary health.

However, as cats are obligate carnivores, commercial cat foods are usually heavily based upon animal protein sources. Fruit and vegetables in cat food can play a role in providing some nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, but they should not form the bulk of the diet.

Can Cats Have Cranberry Juice?

Freshly squeezed cranberry juice, with no added sugar or other additives, is perfectly fine for cats to drink. It should be used in moderation, though – try infusing your pet’s water with a tablespoon-full (or less). Always provide fresh water as an alternative, though, as your cat may not like the flavor.

Commercial cranberry juices should be avoided. They are often very high in sugar, which can predispose cats to obesity, diabetes and other health conditions. Some juices contain artificial sweeteners, such as xylitol, which can be highly toxic to pets.

If you want to try feeding cranberry to your cat, stick to fresh berries or juice, and always feed in moderation.