Skip to main content

Are cat treats healthy?

Every cat owner loves and adores their furry feline friends, so they want the absolute best for them. Cat owners want to buy their cats the best toys, beds, grooming tools, and of course, treats. Sometimes, though, it can be difficult to choose from the vast array of delicious treats designed for your cat’s enjoyment. And sometimes, certain treats contain preservatives and additives that may affect your cat negatively. There are certain ingredients, textures, and sizes that you want to look out for when it comes to treating your feline companion.

Cat eating treat
Danielle Donders / Getty Images

Choosing the best treats for your furry friend will make them happy and give you long-lasting peace of mind that they are enjoying the best ingredients.

Recommended Videos

All good things in moderation

As with any treat, moderation is key. Cat treats can be a great way to show your best friend how much you love them. Sometimes, however, it can be difficult to resist those big, adorable eyes, and giving them only a couple can seem impossible. It is important, though, to practice restraint for both you and your cat. Treats should be a very small portion of your cat’s diet. They are called treats for a reason and should be a “treat” given out of the normal feeding. Treats typically don’t add much more other than calories to your cat’s diet. If your cat is overweight, it is especially important to monitor diet and give very few treats. Regardless of your cat’s weight or feeding schedule, treats should remain a fun, infrequent part of their day.

Check out the labels

Woman feeding cat a treat
Benjamin Torode/Getty Images

Sometimes, looking at the labels on your cat’s favorite treats can seem like a puzzle. It is important to look at ingredients and serving sizes depending on your cat’s weight. You should only give your cat treats that have clear nutrition and ingredient labels. It is important to skip treats that include sugars, artificial colors, or carbohydrates. Look for treats that promote their ingredients. Cat-treat brands that encourage and promote the inspection of their ingredients are typically providing a good product. Search for treats that are made of high-quality ingredients that your cat will love like chicken, liver, beef, salmon, or other natural ingredients.

Look out for toxic treats

You may think giving your cat pure, natural foods, or “human foods,” are the safest and best options to ensure a healthy treat. It can be a great way to provide your cat with the best products, but only if they aren’t toxic to your cat. Some foods that are toxic to your cat are raisins, grapes, onions, chocolate, eggs, or mushrooms. It is important to research any snacks before treating your feline friend. There are many great, natural options that you can give to your cat to like pumpkin, cheese, apples, blueberries, and more. Regardless of what delectable snacks you want to give to your cat, it is always important to do your research to ensure it is safe to ingest.

Make your own

Making special treats for your best, furry friend can be the greatest way to show them how much you love them. Thanks to the internet, there are thousands of recipes available to you. You can buy organic fish or other meat to create delicious, healthy, and organic treats that your cat will love. Incorporating fish like salmon or tuna into baked oatmeal treats is a great way to ensure you know all of the ingredients that go into each treat. This way, you can easily calculate calories that will help with maintaining or decreasing your cat’s weight.

Man feeding cat a treat
Elizabeth Livermore / Getty Images

Regardless of whether you choose to buy or make treats for your cat, it is important to always know every ingredient that goes into them. Your cat depends on you for love, nurturing, and food. You depend on your cat for a loving, furry companion to enjoy for years to come. Help ensure that your cat lives a long, healthy lifestyle with the best treats available to them. You can make extremely nutritious, organic treats from organic meats or healthy, filling oatmeal treats from delicious oats. Either way, you will see the immense difference in energy levels, coat health, and overall happiness when you provide your feisty feline with the best ingredients that they desire.

Why is my cat peeing everywhere? Find out the reason and how to fix it
Helpful tips if your kitty is guilty of this
A black and white cat sprawls out beside a blue litter box with a pile of litter on the floor

Whether you've recently adopted your feline friend or they've been your constant companion for years, inappropriate urination is a problem you want to nip in the bud — sooner rather than later. Inappropriate urination, otherwise referred to as elimination issues, are frustrating for all pet parents. Don't think you're at fault. An estimated 10% of all cats will experience house soiling at some point in their lives.

Sadly, inappropriate litter box use is one of the most common reasons cats are surrendered to animal shelters each year. You've come to the right place if you've been wondering, "Why is my cat peeing everywhere?" We'll share what you need to know about the most common reasons behind these issues, and we'll teach you how you can put an end to your fur baby's toilet troubles once and for all.
Why is my cat peeing everywhere?

Read more
Will cats share a litter box? How to make sure your pets live in harmony
Litter box setups for multi-cat households
Adult, cat teaches a kitten to use the litter box

The decision to bring home a new pet can be spontaneous or a well-thought-out process, but you still may find yourself caught off guard by all the shopping you'll have to do. Are you prepared to buy double the cat food? You might expect to purchase two of everything once your second kitty comes home, but some cat owners wonder, "Will cats share a litter box?"
Navigating the litter situation will take some adjustment from everyone, but your cats will figure out what works best for them. To help them get started, let's learn about different litter box setups for multi-cat households. Whether or not your cats share a litterbox, you can keep your home organized and clean with just a little planning.

Will cats share a litter box?

Read more
Are cats carnivores? Here’s what their diet says about them
Are cats carnivores, or do they need plant-based foods?
Cat on hind legs with gray and white fur

Plant-based diets have made headlines in human health and nutrition, with studies showing their benefits for physical health. Naturally, you want what is best for your cat, and diet is a significant way to keep your furry friend healthy and thriving.

We're stating the obvious here when we say cats and people aren't the same — not just because of the four-legged versus two-legged feature. Since we're distinct species, our dietary needs are different. You may have also heard that your cat is a carnivore. Are cats carnivores, though? Is a bowl packed with animal protein good for them, or should you shift to something resembling the feline version of the Mediterranean diet? Your pet's veterinarian is also the best resource for information about your individual cat's nutrition needs. However, we can settle the beef on questions about a cat's general diet essentials.
Are cats carnivores?

Read more