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My senior cat with diabetes licked a few spoonfuls of my goji berry chicken soup — should I be worried about the sugar and broth?

Cats · Food safety

Last reviewed: 2026-09-05 · Reference ranges: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline & Merck Veterinary Manual

Short answer

You should monitor her closely. Goji berries are high in natural sugars, which can disrupt blood sugar control in a diabetic cat. The broth likely contains salt and fats that aren't ideal. Watch for signs like increased thirst, urination, or any vomiting. A few licks may not cause a crisis, but it's a good reminder to keep such dishes out of reach. If her appetite or energy level changes, check in with your vet to adjust her management plan.

Goji berry — Food safety facts

Feed with care · Cats · full breakdown on the linked food page

A couple of dried berries are not toxic, but they can interact with medication and are high in sugar.

Dogs and cats carry the same rating (Feed with care), so the notes below hold for either pet.

Goji berry is not poisonous to cats, but it is easy to over-feed. Rich fat, salt or seasoning can bring on vomiting or diarrhoea within a day, and repeated large portions are a recognised trigger for pancreatitis.

If it ate some before you noticed, watch for vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, unusual tiredness or a painful, swollen abdomen over the next 24 hours. A one-off small amount in a healthy adult usually passes with water and rest; repeated exposure, a puppy or kitten, a senior, or a pet with an ongoing illness is a reason to call your vet the same day.

Why these cautions matter

Added sugar brings empty calories, and over months that means weight gain and dental disease — both far harder to undo than to avoid.

Goji berry can turn up now and then, but not as a daily habit: keep the rest of the day's food unchanged and watch the litter box and how quickly they finish the next meal.

The full verdict, portion guidance and serving notes are collected on the Goji berry food facts page.

Open the full food page: Goji berry food facts →