Best Cat Treats: What to Buy and What to Skip
Cat treats range from healthy rewards to junk food. Some help with training, dental health, or bonding. Others are empty calories that contribute to obesity and health problems.
The best treats are high in protein, low in carbs, and free from artificial ingredients. The worst treats are full of fillers, artificial colors, and unnecessary carbs.
Here is what is worth buying, what to avoid, and how to use treats properly without overfeeding your cat.
How Many Treats Can Cats Have?
The 10% Rule
Treats should make up no more than 10% of your cat’s daily calorie intake.
Example:
- Average indoor cat needs 200-250 calories per day
- Treats should be 20-25 calories per day maximum
- Most treats are 2-5 calories each
- That is 4-10 treats per day
Overfeeding treats leads to:
- Obesity
- Nutritional imbalances (treats lack complete nutrition)
- Picky eating (cats hold out for treats instead of meals)
How to Count Treat Calories
Check the package for calories per treat. If not listed:
- Small freeze-dried treats: ~2-3 calories
- Medium crunchy treats: ~3-5 calories
- Large dental treats: ~10-15 calories
- Lickable tubes: ~6-10 calories per tube
Track daily intake to avoid overfeeding.
What Makes a Good Cat Treat?
High Protein
Cats are obligate carnivores. They need protein, not carbs.
Good ingredients:
- Real meat (chicken, turkey, salmon, tuna)
- Freeze-dried meat
- Limited ingredients
Bad ingredients:
- Corn, wheat, soy (cheap fillers)
- Meat by-products (low-quality meat)
- Artificial flavors
Low Carbohydrates
Cats have no biological need for carbs. Too many carbs cause:
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Digestive issues
Good treats: Under 10% carbs
Bad treats: Over 30% carbs (mostly filler)
No Artificial Ingredients
Avoid:
- Artificial colors (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 2)
- Artificial flavors
- Preservatives (BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin)
These serve no purpose except making treats look appealing to humans. Cats do not care about color.
Single-Ingredient Treats Are Best
The best treats have one ingredient: meat.
Examples:
- Freeze-dried chicken
- Freeze-dried salmon
- Freeze-dried liver
No fillers, no additives, just protein.
Best Treats for Training
Training cats requires high-value, tiny treats. Cats get full quickly, so small pieces work best.
1. Freeze-Dried Meat Treats
Brands: Vital Essentials, PureBites, Stella & Chewy’s, Instinct Raw Boost
Ingredients: Single ingredient (pure meat)
Why they work:
- Pure meat, no fillers
- Strong smell (high motivation)
- Easy to break into tiny pieces (training requires many repetitions)
- Lightweight (carry in your pocket)
- No refrigeration needed
Calories: 2-3 per treat
Price: $8-$15 per bag (3-6 oz)
Best for: Clicker training, recall training, trick training, behavior modification
How to use:
- Break into pea-sized pieces for training
- Reserve for high-value rewards only
- Use immediately after desired behavior
2. Churu Lickable Treats
Brand: Inaba Churu (original and best)
Flavors: Chicken, tuna, salmon, seafood varieties
Why they work:
- Cats go absolutely crazy for them
- Lickable tube = portion control (squeeze a little at a time)
- Great for pill hiding
- Distracts during stressful situations (vet visits, nail trims)
Calories: 6-10 per tube
Price: $12-$18 for 20-pack
Best for: High-value rewards, vet visits, nail trimming, giving medication, bonding
How to use:
- Squeeze a small amount (1/4 tube) for rewards
- Hold tube while cat licks (interactive bonding)
- Use during grooming or vet exams to create positive associations
3. Temptations
Brand: Temptations (various flavors)
Why they work:
- Affordable ($3-$5 per bag)
- Cats love the crunchy texture
- Widely available
- Resealable container
Calories: 2 per treat
Downside: High in carbs and fillers (not the healthiest option)
Best for: Budget-friendly training, everyday rewards
How to use:
- Effective for basic training (sit, come, stay)
- Good for recall training (shake container, cat comes running)
4. Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Minnows
Ingredients: Whole freeze-dried minnows
Why they work:
- Cats are obsessed with whole fish
- Single ingredient
- High protein, low carb
- Crunchy texture
Calories: 3-4 per treat
Price: $10-$14 per bag
Best for: High-value rewards, picky eaters
Best Treats for Dental Health
Dental treats help reduce plaque and tartar buildup. They are not a replacement for tooth brushing, but they slow dental disease progression.
1. Greenies Feline Dental Treats
Why they work:
- Crunchy texture mechanically scrubs teeth
- VOHC-approved (Veterinary Oral Health Council seal)
- Cats actually eat them (many dental treats get rejected)
- Various flavors (chicken, tuna, salmon)
Calories: 1.5 per treat
Price: $6-$10 per bag
Downside: Higher in calories than other treats
How to use:
- Give 1-2 treats per day after meals
- Do not exceed recommended amount (high in calories)
2. Virbac CET Enzymatic Oral Hygiene Treats
Why they work:
- Enzyme formula actively breaks down plaque
- Dual-action texture cleans teeth while chewing
- Recommended by veterinarians
Calories: 2 per treat
Price: $8-$12 per bag
Best for: Cats prone to dental issues, plaque buildup
3. Purina DentaLife
Why they work:
- Porous texture creates scrubbing action
- Crunchy outside, chewy inside (encourages chewing)
- Affordable option
Calories: 1.6 per treat
Price: $4-$7 per bag
Do Dental Treats Actually Work?
Studies show dental treats reduce plaque by 10-15% and tartar by 10-20%. This is not as effective as brushing (which reduces plaque by 50-60%), but it helps.
Best results:
- Combine dental treats with regular tooth brushing
- Choose VOHC-approved treats (proven effectiveness)
- Give daily after meals
Best Treats for Bonding
Some treats are just for spoiling your cat. No specific health benefits, just fun and bonding.
1. Churu (Again)
Cats lose their minds over Churu. It becomes a daily bonding ritual.
Many cats recognize the wrapper sound and sprint across the house when they hear it.
2. Freeze-Dried Salmon
Brands: PureBites, Whole Life Pet
Ingredients: 100% salmon
Why cats love it:
- Pure fish, no additives
- Strong smell (irresistible to cats)
- Crunchy texture
Calories: 3 per treat
Price: $8-$12 per bag
Best for: Picky eaters, bonding, spoiling your cat
3. Catnip Treats
Brands: Cosmic Catnip Treats, Pet Greens Treats
Why cats love them:
- Infused with catnip (creates euphoria in cats)
- Fun and stimulating
- Crunchy texture
Note: Only 50-70% of cats respond to catnip (genetic trait). Kittens under 3-6 months do not respond yet.
Calories: 2-3 per treat
Price: $4-$8 per bag
4. Tuna Flakes
Brands: Bonito flakes, tuna flakes
Ingredients: Dried tuna
Why cats love them:
- Strong fish smell
- Flaky texture (fun to eat)
- Can sprinkle on food as topper
Calories: 5-8 per tablespoon
Price: $6-$10 per bag
Treats for Specific Needs
For Overweight Cats
Choose:
- Freeze-dried single-ingredient treats (low calorie)
- Break treats into smaller pieces
- Use interactive play as rewards instead of food
Avoid:
- High-calorie dental treats
- Creamy or lickable treats (high fat)
For Senior Cats
Choose:
- Soft treats (easier to chew)
- Churu lickable treats
- Freeze-dried treats rehydrated with water
Avoid:
- Hard crunchy treats (difficult for cats with dental issues)
For Cats with Allergies
Choose:
- Single-ingredient treats (identify allergen easily)
- Novel protein treats (duck, venison, rabbit)
- Limited ingredient treats
Avoid:
- Multi-ingredient treats
- Treats with common allergens (chicken, fish, dairy)
For Diabetic Cats
Choose:
- High-protein, zero-carb treats
- Freeze-dried meat
- Small portions only
Avoid:
- Treats with added sugars
- High-carb treats
Consult your vet before giving treats to diabetic cats.
Treats to Avoid
1. Cheap Grocery Store Treats
Brands like Meow Mix treats, Friskies Party Mix are full of:
- Fillers (corn, wheat, soy)
- Artificial flavors
- Meat by-products (low-quality meat)
They are cheap ($2-$3 per bag), but nutritionally poor.
2. Treats with Artificial Colors
Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 2 serve no purpose except making treats look appealing to humans.
Cats do not care about color. Artificial colors have been linked to:
- Hyperactivity
- Allergic reactions
3. Treats with Excessive Carbs
Many treats are 40-50% carbs (corn, wheat, rice). Cats have no biological need for carbs.
Check the ingredient list: Meat should be the first ingredient, not corn or wheat.
4. Dairy Treats
Despite popular belief, most adult cats are lactose intolerant. Dairy treats cause:
- Diarrhea
- Upset stomach
- Vomiting
Skip milk, cheese, and yogurt treats.
5. Tuna as a Daily Treat
While cats love tuna, too much causes:
- Mercury accumulation
- Nutritional imbalances (lacks taurine)
- Addiction (cats refuse other foods)
Limit tuna treats to 1-2 times per week.
How to Introduce New Treats
Start Small
Give 1-2 treats and wait 24 hours. Watch for:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Allergic reactions (itching, hair loss)
If no issues, continue.
Try Different Textures
Cats have texture preferences:
- Some prefer crunchy
- Some prefer soft
- Some prefer lickable
Experiment to find what your cat loves.
Rotate Treat Flavors
Rotating prevents:
- Boredom
- Picky eating (cats get addicted to one flavor)
Offer 2-3 different treats and rotate weekly.
Common Mistakes
Overfeeding Treats
Treats should be 10% of daily calories, not 30-40%. Overfeeding causes obesity and nutritional imbalances.
Using Treats as Meals
Treats lack complete nutrition. Never replace meals with treats.
Giving Treats Without Purpose
Random treat-giving creates begging behavior. Instead:
- Use treats for training
- Use treats after grooming, nail trims, vet visits
- Create treat rituals (same time each day)
Leaving Treat Bags Open
Treats lose freshness and attract pests. Always reseal bags or use airtight containers.
Best Value Treats
Budget-Friendly ($3-$6 per bag):
- Temptations
- Purina DentaLife
- Friskies Party Mix (if avoiding fillers is not a priority)
Mid-Range ($6-$12 per bag):
- Greenies Dental Treats
- PureBites Freeze-Dried
- Churu (bulk packs)
Premium ($12-$20 per bag):
- Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried
- Stella & Chewy’s
- Instinct Raw Boost
Best Value Overall:
PureBites Freeze-Dried Treats - single ingredient, high protein, affordable, cats love them
Final Recommendations
Best overall treat: PureBites Freeze-Dried Chicken - single ingredient, high protein, great for training
Best for training: Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Minnows - high-value, small pieces, cats go crazy for them
Best for bonding: Inaba Churu - interactive, irresistible to cats, great for stressful situations
Best for dental health: Greenies Feline Dental Treats - VOHC-approved, effective, cats actually eat them
Best budget option: Temptations - affordable, widely available, effective for training
Best for picky eaters: Freeze-dried salmon - strong smell, pure fish, universally loved
What To Do Next
- Choose treats based on your goal (training, dental, bonding)
- Check ingredient lists (meat first, no fillers)
- Follow the 10% rule (treats = 10% of daily calories)
- Rotate treat flavors to prevent boredom
- Use treats for training and bonding, not random snacking
If the treat is bright red or green, skip it. Cats do not care about color. Artificial dyes are unnecessary.
High-Calorie Treats
Some treats are 10+ calories each. That adds up fast.
Read labels. Aim for treats under 5 calories each.
How Many Treats Can Cats Have?
Treats should be less than 10% of daily calories.
Example:
- Average cat needs 200-250 calories per day
- Treats should be 20-25 calories max
If you give too many treats, reduce meal portions to compensate.
Common Mistakes
Overfeeding Treats
Treats are not meals. Do not replace food with treats.
Limit treats to training, bonding, or rewards.
Using Low-Value Treats for Training
If your cat does not care about the treat, training will not work.
Use freeze-dried meat or Churu for training. Save cheap treats for fun.
Giving Treats for No Reason
Treats lose value if given constantly.
Use treats strategically: for training, after vet visits, or during bonding time.
DIY Cat Treats
You can make your own treats at home.
Freeze-Dried Chicken
- Buy raw chicken breast
- Cut into tiny pieces
- Freeze-dry or dehydrate
- Store in the fridge
Homemade freeze-dried chicken is cheaper than store-bought.
Cooked Salmon
- Bake salmon (no seasoning)
- Flake into small pieces
- Store in the fridge (use within 3 days)
Cats love fresh salmon.
What To Do Next
- Buy freeze-dried meat treats for training
- Try Churu for high-value rewards
- Limit treats to 10% of daily calories
- Avoid cheap grocery store treats with fillers
- Check out our guide on clicker training for cats