Juniper Berries
Our ingredient score: 2 / 5 · Herb or plant extract · How We Score
Juniper berries come from a plant traditionally used as a diuretic, and they add flavor to the food. In humans, they are known to irritate the kidneys when used in high doses or for a long time; there is no data on cats. They have no real role in a cat's diet. In the trace amounts found in cat food they are not expected to cause a problem, but they are an unnecessary ingredient for cats with kidney problems.
Common Questions
Should cats with kidney problems avoid juniper berries?
They are an unnecessary ingredient for cats with kidney problems, since juniper is known to irritate the kidneys in humans at high doses.
Are juniper berries bad for cats?
Juniper berries are the small, blue seed cones of the common juniper shrub, best known for flavoring gin. FDA lists juniper berries among natural extractives with GRAS status in 21 CFR 582.20. That listing covers extracts in general and is not a cat study. If your cat has kidney disease or another medical condition, ask your veterinarian before choosing a food with herbal ingredients.
Source: ecfr.gov
Why are juniper berries in cat food?
Juniper berries are added mainly for flavor and as a botanical ingredient. They also have a traditional reputation as a diuretic. The amount in dry cat food is small, and we found no controlled study showing any effect in cats at that level.
Are juniper berries real berries?
No, juniper berries are not true berries. They are the seed cones of the juniper, a conifer, and their fleshy scales make them look like berries. Common juniper, Juniperus communis, is the species named in FDA's list of natural extractives in 21 CFR 582.20. Other juniper species are used as ornamental shrubs.
Source: ecfr.gov
Is the juniper bush in my yard poisonous to cats?
That depends on the species, and many ornamental junipers are not the same plant used for food. Juniper in cat food comes from processed berries of common juniper, used in small amounts. If your cat chews a yard juniper and then vomits or drools, call your veterinarian or an animal poison control line.
How does Pettings score juniper berries?
Pettings gives juniper berries 2 out of 5 and lists it as an herb or plant extract. It appears on 4 of the 149 dry cat foods we list. The page notes their traditional use as a diuretic and their role in flavor. Each food's page shows how it scores overall.
How Foods With Juniper Berries Compare
Juniper Berries is on the label of 4 of the 149 dry cat foods we list.