How to Choose Cat Treats

Check the Ingredient List (Most Important)

1. Higher meat content is better

   Priority: Fresh/frozen meat > meat meal > plant protein

   Avoid: Grains, corn, wheat, soybeans, and excessive starch.

2. Reject harmful additives

   Do not buy treats containing:

   • Artificial preservatives (BHA/BHT, propylene glycol)

   • Artificial colors and flavors

   • Excessive sugar and salt.

3. Simpler ingredients are safer

   Freeze-dried treats: Best with only pure meat.

   Cat sticks/purees: Meat as the main ingredient, water as a supplement, with minimal additives.

How to Choose by Type

1. Freeze-dried Treats (Highly Recommended)

• Pros: High protein, low moisture, close to raw meat, low fattening risk.

• Suitable for: Daily rewards, training, mixing with kibble.

• Recommended: Chicken breast, duck breast, salmon, chicken necks (for teeth cleaning).

2. Creamy Cat Sticks / Liquid Treats

• Pros: Highly palatable, helps with hydration.

• Cons: Easy to cause addiction and picky eating; some are high in starch.

• Choose: Products with meat in the top 3 ingredients, little to no gelatin.

3. Dental Chews

• Freeze-dried chicken necks, deer tendons, dried small fish.

• Suitable for: Cats with tartar buildup or chewing habits.

• Not suitable for: Kittens or cats with poor dental health.

4. Cat Biscuits / Crunchy Treats

• Generally high in starch, buy sparingly and only give occasionally.

3. Choose by Age

• Kittens (2–6 months): Easily digestible freeze-dried treats, small amounts of meat puree; no hard dental treats.

• Adult cats: Most treats are acceptable; control portion size.

• Senior cats / poor dental health: Soft creamy treats, rehydrated freeze-dried meat.

• Overweight cats: Pure meat freeze-dried treats, avoid high-calorie options.

4. Avoid These

• Cheap cat sticks heavy in fish meal and artificial attractants.

• Human food: Ham, milk, chocolate, onions, garlic, etc.

• Overly salty or oily dried fish.

• Discontinue any treat that causes soft stools or extreme pickiness immediately.

5. Feeding Rules (Crucial)

• Treats should make up no more than 10% of daily total calories.

• Do not feed every day or with every meal.

• Use treats for interaction and rewards, not as a main meal.

• Feed a small amount for the first time and monitor for soft stools or allergies.