Most cats (and people!) are highly food motivated. A snack or treat can go a long way in calming anxious nerves, rewarding good behavior, and creating a lasting bond with your feline friend. But you want to be sure you’re providing the right treats, something that’s not only safe but that is also healthy. This can be difficult to do even with all the options available on the market, so we’ll help you find the right cat treat for your kitty to make sure your rewards aren’t unrewarding health wise.

Do Cats Need Treats?

You may ask yourself this question before attempting the possibly daunting task of selecting the right one, and the truth is, no. Cats don’t need treats nutritionally as they should be getting everything they need from a quality diet, but that doesn’t mean treats may not have a place in your kitty’s world.

Treats can be a good way to reinforce positive behavior, such as using the scratching post or playing nice with your toddler. They can also be used to stimulate your cat’s mind if used in a puzzle game or feeder toy, and sharing one can create good vibes between you and your cat, helping to create a lasting bond.

What to Look for in the Right Cat Treat

A quick Google search or trip to the pet store for cat treats will bombard you with options. It can be overwhelming, but we’ll let you in on some tips to help you narrow your choices.

Taste, Texture and Size

There are little crunchy ones, soft, chewy ones, moist lick-able ones, and everything in between. Every shape, size, texture and flavor is available, so get to know your cat’s preferences when selecting treats. Remember that cats don’t have tastebuds for sweetness, so you’ll want to stick to savory flavors such as beef, poultry, or liver. If you’re unsure that your cat likes best, you may need to sample a few different versions and then gauge their reaction.

Ingredients

Go for a meat-based cat treat not only because they tend to be healthier but also your cat will prefer the flavor.  Meat should be listed as the first ingredient, preferably from a whole source, not a by-product or meal. Chicken, fish, and beef are common options, but don’t discount liver, pork or more exotic flavors.

As for the rest of the ingredients list, there will likely be some things you don’t recognize, so it may help to talk to your vet to make sure the product is safe and healthy. The fewer ingredients are generally better, and you don’t want to see a lot of fillers such as grains or sweeteners.

Nutritional Value

Since these are treats, you shouldn’t expect them to be a complete and balanced source of nutrition, but that doesn’t mean they can’t add a little nutritional boost. Look for high amounts of protein (>30%), low amounts of fat (<10%), and low amounts of carbohydrate (<20%).

Protein and fat will likely be listed in the nutritional analysis but carbohydrates will likely not. So, you can determine the amount of carbohydrate by subtracting the percentages of moisture, protein, fat, fiber, and ash from 100.

You’ll also want to look for low caloric numbers as most cats just don’t need any additional challenges to maintaining a healthy weight.

Health Condition Considerations

Kitties all vary in their health status. For example, some may be diabetic, some may be overweight, and some may have dental disease. Certain treats may help with some of these issues while others may be very detrimental. A treat aimed at cleaning a cat’s teeth may really come in handy for preventing dental issues, while a high-carbohydrate snack for a diabetic cat may cause some real issues. If your cat has a health condition, speak to your vet about the right cat treat for them or if you should avoid cat treats all together.

Types of Cat Treats

If you’re looking for something that tastes good that you can reward your cat with from time to time, there are many generic options. However, if you’re looking to provide a more specific nutritional boost, you may be interested in some of these types of treats.

Calming or Anxiety

There are many known herbs and other natural remedies that can help relieve anxiety and stress and support a calm demeanor. These treats may be especially beneficial for cats that are going through a change in their routine, such as a move or the addition of a family member. Speak to your vet before giving your cat any of these treats, as not all herbs are safe for kitties to consume.

Dental Disease

Dental disease in one form or another affects nearly 80% of cats over the age of three. It’s a big deal. Treats designed to mechanically or enzymatically clean teeth can go a long way in preventing and treating dental disease, but they shouldn’t be the only mode of action. Make sure treats are VOHC approved to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Joint Health

Healthy joints and movement are so important to a cat's daily comfort. You may be able to support their joints by giving them things like glucosamine, chondroitin and omega fatty acids, ingredients found in treats and supplements aimed at promoting joint health.

Hair and Skin Health

Omega fatty acids don’t just promote joint health, they can also play a role in skin and hair coat health. Treats aimed at hair and skin health will likely contain omega fatty acids and other ingredients to help your cat’s hair look shiny and reduce things like dry skin and irritation.

Along those same lines, you may see treats designed for hairball issues. These treats help to move hairballs through a cat’s system so they don’t create blockages and other problems.

Urinary Health

A cat’s urinary tract can be a complicated mess, causing frequent signs of peeing outside the litter box and other unwanted issues. Urinary health treats may be a way of settling that system so that your cat experiences less discomfort and you experience less mess.

How to Feed Your Cat Treats

Treats can definitely have their place in your kitty’s stomach, but they shouldn’t become a huge focus in their diet. Instead, you’ll want to keep treats under 10% of their daily food intake. If you’re giving your cat towards the higher end of 10% in the way of treats, consider cutting back a tad on their regular food to balance out their caloric intake.

Use treats as a reward, not necessarily an everyday expectation. Give them when you want to bond, train, or reward a deed done well. Also, supervise your kitty when they eat their treats as the different shapes and textures as well as a cat’s voracity to eat them can cause choking issues.

Final Thoughts

Cat treats can be a great way to show your kitty some love or teach them positive behaviors, but choosing the right one can be a bit overwhelming. With any luck these tips will help get you on the right track. For more details on choosing the right cat treat, speak to your veterinarian to ensure you’re picking a product that is safe, healthy, and tasty.

About the Author

Chyrle Bonk has been a veterinarian since 2010 and has been writing for pet and veterinary publications for over 7 years. She also owns a small cattle herd and a menagerie of animals. When not working, Dr. Bonk enjoys spending time with her family somewhere in the great outdoors.