1. Home
  2. Cats

Are cat treats healthy?

By

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.

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

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.

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.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
PawTracks
Why do cats cover their face when they sleep? This adorable behavior, explained
Keep an eye out for these symptoms of feline sleepiness and discomfort

If you ever notice your cat sleeping in an especially cute or odd-looking position, you're not the only one. Most cats get comfy in unique ways -- whether curled up on top of a laptop or stretched out on their back like a dog -- but some feline sleeping positions are more difficult to understand than others.
For example, why do cats cover their face when they sleep? There are several noteworthy reasons, though it's up to you to decipher which reason applies to your kitty. The good news is that none of these reasons are cause for worry unless, of course, there are other unusual behaviors or symptoms present. If this is the case, please consult your cat's veterinarian instead!
If sleeping with their paws covering their face is all your feline friend is doing, all you need to do is keep an eye on them. If there is a minor problem going on, like seasonal allergies, you'll be able to notice and help your cat sooner rather than later.

Sense of security and comfort

Read more
Is your cat obese? 5 ways to help them slim down
Obesity left unchecked can lead to health problems

World Pet Obesity Week is in the fall, so it's the purrfect chance to get your kitty on a diet to slim down in time. According to a survey conducted by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), roughly 61% of cats and 59% of dogs in the U.S. alone are overweight or obese. While few things are more adorable than a chunky cat, obesity in cats comes with a multitude of health risks.

Have you been wondering if your cat needs to lose a few pounds? We're here to share how you can tell if your cat is obese, the potential health problems caused by cat obesity, and five helpful things you can do to help them lose weight. 
What causes obesity in cats?

Read more
Can a cat’s tail really fall off?
Here's how to keep this appendage safe from hazards

We humans have many great qualities, but we are left lacking without one of the most important aspects of the average mammal: the tail. Our pets can communicate extensively with this appendage, not to mention use it for balance (and, of course, some animals can even grab things with it).

When your dog or cat gets a tail injury, it can become serious and nearly always requires medical attention. Can a cat's tail fall off? The truth is, it can happen in some cases. While rarely fatal, depending on the underlying cause, cat tails need attention just like everything else on your pet. Here is what you should know about your feline's rear extremity.
Can a cat's tail fall off?

Read more