Can cats eat Blackcurrant?
No — avoid. Blackcurrants carry the same toxicity risk as grapes and other currant species, with the potential to cause kidney injury in cats through an unknown mechanism. The evidence is less certain than for grapes, but the ASPCA lists all Ribes species (currants and gooseberries) as potentially toxic.
If your cat has just eaten blackcurrant
What's the full picture?
Blackcurrants (Ribes nigrum) belong to the same botanical family as red currants and white currants. All Ribes species are listed by the ASPCA as potentially toxic to cats, and should be treated with the same caution as grapes and raisins. The exact mechanism of toxicity is unknown, and the evidence base is less established than for grapes — but 'unknown mechanism' and 'less evidence' doesn't mean 'safe'. Avoid giving blackcurrants to cats.
Dried blackcurrants in baked goods — cakes, muffins, scones — are more concentrated and higher-risk than fresh berries. If your cat has eaten something containing dried blackcurrants or blackcurrant jam, treat it as a potential grape/currant exposure and contact your vet.
Blackcurrant juice, cordial (like Ribena), and jam contain concentrated blackcurrant in liquid form. These products also typically contain high amounts of sugar and sometimes preservatives. The combination of potential toxicity and high sugar makes them inappropriate for cats regardless of the toxicity question.
The queries 'can cats eat blackcurrant' appearing in search data suggests this is a question cat owners actively ask — likely because blackcurrants are common in UK and European cooking and baking, and cat owners want to know if sharing is safe. The answer is: don't. The risk, though not as well-characterized as grape toxicity, is real.
Symptoms to watch for
Emergency vet treatment for poisoning typically costs $800–$3,000 in the US. Pet insurance covers it — and you can get a quote in under 2 minutes.
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Cat Owner Essentials
Concerned about other ingredients? 247ingredientscheck.com covers food additives and E-numbers, and 247caloriecheck.com has calorie and nutrition data for human foods.
Questions owners ask
Are blackcurrants as dangerous as grapes for cats?
The evidence is less certain for blackcurrants than for grapes, but the ASPCA lists all Ribes species (blackcurrants, red currants, gooseberries) as potentially toxic to cats. The unknown mechanism and similar botanical family means treating them with the same caution as grapes is the safe approach.
My cat ate some blackcurrant jam. What should I do?
Contact your vet or ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435. Blackcurrant jam contains concentrated fruit plus high sugar. The amount matters — a lick off a knife is different from a significant serving. Tell your vet how much was consumed and your cat's weight.
Can cats drink Ribena or blackcurrant juice?
No — blackcurrant cordial and juice should not be given to cats. Beyond the potential toxicity from the blackcurrant itself, these products contain very high sugar levels and often artificial sweeteners. If any product contains xylitol, that's an additional emergency.
Portion control helps too — a slow-feeder bowl slows down greedy eaters and keeps shared-food expectations low.
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About this guidance
Every entry on this site is compiled from published US veterinary toxicology sources — AAFP, ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (ASPCA APCC) references, AVMA-registered practice materials, and peer-reviewed feline medicine literature. Where the evidence is mixed, we err on the cautious side because cats are unusually sensitive to many common substances that are harmless to humans and even to dogs.
This is general information written for US cat owners. It is not personalised veterinary advice for your specific cat, their age, weight, medical history, or the exact exposure you're dealing with. If your cat has eaten something or is unwell, call your vet first. The ASPCA Poison Control on (888) 426-4435 is available 24/7 for a small fee and can tell you whether an emergency visit is needed.
Entries are reviewed and updated as new research emerges. Spotted an error? Let us know — corrections are investigated and applied within 24 hours. For more context on how we work, see about and our full disclaimer.
Last reviewed: · By the Cat Ate It editorial team