If you’re like most people, you have eaten your fair share of cranberries throughout the years — even if just on Thanksgiving. You have likely heard that cranberries are a great source of nutrients and can help keep your gut healthy too. Not everyone likes the taste of fresh tart cranberries, though. If you’re not a fan of fresh cranberries, you may choose to drink cranberry juice or to sweeten cranberries with sugar so they’re more enjoyable — whatever it takes to reap the nutritional rewards of cranberries!
Because they’re so good for humans, you might wonder whether cranberries are good for cats too. And is cranberry juice safe for cats? This is a great question and the short answer is yes cats can drink cranberry juice. That said, they should never be fed sugary cranberries because all that sugar is as bad for them. Here’s what you should know about feeding your cat cranberry juice and cranberries in general.
The Health Benefits of Feeding Cats Cranberries
While cats are naturally carnivores and they don’t need any fruits or vegetables added to their diet to stay healthy, there are a few health benefits that cats can reap when they are fed cranberries as a snack or treat. Cranberries are a great natural source of fiber, which can help regulate your cat’s digestive system as time goes on. They are also an excellent source of vitamins C, E, and K, as well as minerals like manganese and copper.
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Cats need these vitamins and minerals to thrive, and they typically get them from the meat-derived food they eat. But supplementing their meals with cranberries can help balance out any deficiencies that they might have. Cranberries could become dangerous when fed as a meal, but as a snack or treat, they shouldn’t do anything but benefit your furry feline.
Cranberries as a Home Remedy
Cranberries can be used as a home remedy for bladder issues such as urinary tract infections. Cranberries are said to acidify urine when they are consumed, which kills off bacteria and makes it tough for infections to stick around. Cranberries can be used to help cure a bladder problem, but it’s important to consult a veterinarian to make sure your cat doesn’t also need to take antibiotics. These tart fruits can be used more effectively to keep bladder infections from recurring, which can be helpful to cats that tend to get infections regularly.
Cranberry Serving Suggestions
It’s not a good idea to feed your cat fresh whole cranberries, as they can be a choking hazard, and if they’re swallowed whole, they could block the digestive system. Your cat probably won’t be interested in eating a plain cranberry, anyway. You can blend cranberries with a little water to create a sauce, then mix a teaspoon of the sauce into your cat’s food.
Alternatively, you can try adding a little cranberry juice to your cat’s water dish. If your cat doesn’t enjoy consuming cranberry products and you are trying to treat or prevent a bladder problem, you can feed them commercial treats that feature cranberries in the ingredients list. Or, use a syringe to feed your cat a little cranberry juice. If you aren’t treating or preventing a bladder problem and your cat isn’t into cranberry products, don’t sweat it. They’ll still maintain their health and happiness as they age.
Conclusion
Cranberries and cranberry juice can be a healthy addition to your cat’s diet if offered as an occasional treat or snack. But they don’t need cranberry products to stay healthy. So, if you want to, go ahead and try feeding cranberries or juice to your cat and see what happens. If they don’t like it, it isn’t worth stressing you or your cat out, though. Has your cat ever eaten a cranberry or drank cranberry juice? If so, how did they react to it? We’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments section below.
Christian is the Editor-in-Chief of Excited Cats and one of its original and primary contributors. A lifelong cat lover, now based in South East Asia, Christian and his wife are the proud parents of an 11-year-old son and four rescue cats: Trixie, Chloe, Sparky, and Chopper.
