Does your cat turn their nose up at that fancy new treat you bought? You want to spoil your feline friend, but you also worry about what you are actually feeding them. Finding healthy cat treats can feel like a tricky puzzle. So many bags promise “natural” ingredients, but the fine print often tells a different story.
It is frustrating to spend money on treats that might not be good for your beloved pet’s waistline or digestion. You want snacks that support their energy and keep their coat shiny, not ones loaded with fillers and weird chemicals. The sheer volume of choices makes it easy to choose wrong, leaving you unsure if you are truly treating them well.
This post cuts through the confusion. We will show you exactly what to look for on ingredient labels and reveal the best, healthiest options available today. By the end, you will feel confident picking treats that your cat will love and that will keep them purring happily for years to come.
Top Cat Treats Healthy Recommendations
- REAL MEAT FIRST: These Blue Buffalo cat treats are made with real chicken as the first ingredient for a taste cats love
- CRUNCHY CAT TREATS: BLUE Wilderness grain-free cat snacks satisfy their wild side with the crunch they crave
- GREAT FOR TRAINING: BLUE Wilderness cat treats are the ideal reward for any feline friend
- WHOLESOME INGREDIENTS: These natural cat treats contain no chicken (or poultry) by-product meal, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, or preservatives
- FREEZE-DRIED RAW CHICKEN BREAST CAT TREAT: Vital Essentials Freeze Dried Cat Treats pack more protein than industry standard into every bite to deliver the peak vitality your dog deserves. Our natural freeze-dried raw cat treats are made from responsibly sourced, premium butcher cut chicken breast.
- BETTER PROTEIN = BETTER BENEFITS: The best freeze dried cat treats on the market use premium butcher cut raw protein to unlock the benefits of naturally occurring vitamins and minerals in raw muscle and organs, because pets deserve the energetic playtimes, healthy skin, shiny coats, strong teeth, and essential gut health that a high-protein diet delivers.
- PROUDLY AMERICAN CRAFTED: All our cat treats and food are responsibly sourced and humanely harvested to ensure the quality of our proteins. We go above industry standards to preserve flavor and ensure the highest quality of protein and nutrients in every Vital Essentials product.
- MADE WITHOUT: Cat treat additives, fillers, dyes, flavorings, artificial preservatives, grains, or rendered by-products. Vital Essentials also offers the widest variety of single-protein raw cat food and treats on the market—great for picky eaters and cats with allergies!
- Vet-Formulated Wellness Treats: Functional nutrients like taurine, glucosamine, omega-3s, and postbiotics to support heart, joint, digestive, skin & coat health.
- Lickable and Squeezable Texture: Smooth, creamy puree that cats and dogs crave, ideal as lickable cat treats, squeezable cat treats, or dog snacks.
- Clean, Natural Ingredients: Grain-free pet treats made without artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, safe for daily use.
- Premium Korean Quality: Made in Korea with HACCP & ISO-certified standards for safety, consistency, and trusted quality.
- STARTS with REAL CHICKEN: Unlike many other brands, these cat treats feature real chicken as the first ingredient to tempt your feline friend
- TWO TEMPTING TEXTURES: Give your cat the best of both worlds – these crunchy cat treats feature a crunchy shell and a delicious creamy center cats can’t resist
- HEALTHY CAT TREATS: BLUE Bursts treats for cats are packed with the healthy, wholesome ingredients you’ll feel good about giving
- ONLY WHOLESOME INGREDIENTS: BLUE cat treats contain NO poultry by-product meals, NO corn, wheat or soy, and NO artificial flavors or preservatives
- FREEZE-DRIED RAW SALMON CAT TREAT: Vital Essentials Freeze Dried Cat Treats pack more protein than industry standard into every bite to deliver the peak vitality your dog deserves. Our natural freeze-dried raw cat treats are made from responsibly sourced, premium butcher cut salmon.
- BETTER PROTEIN = BETTER BENEFITS: The best freeze dried cat treats on the market use premium butcher cut raw protein to unlock the benefits of naturally occurring vitamins and minerals in raw muscle and organs, because pets deserve the energetic playtimes, healthy skin, shiny coats, strong teeth, and essential gut health that a high-protein diet delivers.
- PROUDLY AMERICAN CRAFTED: All our cat treats and food are responsibly sourced and humanely harvested to ensure the quality of our proteins. We go above industry standards to preserve flavor and ensure the highest quality of protein and nutrients in every Vital Essentials product.
- MADE WITHOUT: Cat treat additives, fillers, dyes, flavorings, artificial preservatives, grains, or rendered by-products. Vital Essentials also offers the widest variety of single-protein raw cat food and treats on the market—great for picky eaters and cats with allergies!
- Crunchy texture helps clean teeth, reduce tartar buildup, and freshen breath
- The #1 vet-recommended Feline dental treat*
- Made with natural ingredients plus vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients; nutritionally complete and balanced for adult cats
- This tasty cat treat has no artificial flavors, has no artificial preservatives, and Contains less than 2 calories per treat
- Veterinarian Formulated: Crafted by veterinary experts to support your cat’s digestive and overall wellness.
- Wild-Caught Tuna Flavor: Made with real, wild-caught tuna your cat will crave, high in protein and taste.
- Prebiotic Support for Gut Health: Prebiotics help nourish beneficial gut bacteria to aid digestion, immunity, and well-being.
- Clean, Limited Ingredients: No grains, soy, corn, seed oils, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, just simple goodness.
- FROM TOP TO TAIL: Pet Honesty’s Multivitamin for cats is a crunchy, creamy supplement that they’ll think is a cat treat, but you’ll know better. These delicious little bites help boost cat health with big benefits. Not only do these healthy cat treats support overall immune, heart & gut health, they also promote healthy digestion & healthy skin & joints. Our cat food treats are made to help your furry family member live their best life, because that's what they deserve.
- THE INSIDE STORY: Our cat multivitamin is packed with powerful ingredients that support cat health. It's a lysine supplement, an amino acid that helps boost immune & respiratory health. It has omega-3s for cats–fatty acids sourced from salmon oil for cats, flaxseed, & green lipped mussels that support skin, coat, joint, & brain health. It has prebiotics that promote gut + digestive health as well. We pack a lot into our little cat vitamins. They’ll love the taste. You’ll love what they do.
- THEY DESERVE THE BEST: We think your cat deserves nothing less than the very best, and our organic cat treats are just that. But you don’t have to take our word for it. They’re the #1 cat multivitamin on Amazon. *Based on Stackline Atlas Data for Amazon.com and Nielsen data for retail, 52 weeks from December 2023 - November 2024; Comparison of all Multivitamin Products within custom Stackline Cat Supplement Category and Pet Supplements category defined by Nielsen
- DROOL-WORTHY TASTE: Not only do our cat health supplements support your cat’s overall well-being, they’re also a crunchy, creamy supplement that tastes great too! In fact 4 out of 5 cats love the taste. So, in addition to giving your cat something that's good for them, you'll also be giving them something they’ll enjoy. **Based on an independent feeding study. Individual results may vary
The Ultimate Buying Guide: A Purrfect Choice for Healthy Cat Treats
Choosing the right treats for your feline friend is important. Healthy treats keep your cat happy and help them stay strong. This guide helps you pick the best, healthiest options available.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop for cat treats, look for specific things on the package. These features tell you if the treat is good for your cat.
1. High Protein Content
- Cats are natural carnivores. They need lots of protein.
- Look for treats where the first ingredient is real meat, like chicken, turkey, or fish.
- Aim for treats with at least 25% protein or higher.
2. Limited, Recognizable Ingredients
- Fewer ingredients are usually better. It’s easier to know what your cat is eating.
- Avoid long lists of chemicals or names you cannot pronounce.
3. Appropriate Texture and Size
- Consider your cat’s age and dental health.
- Young kittens might need soft, chewy treats. Older cats with sensitive teeth need softer options too.
- Crunchy treats can help clean teeth, but make sure they are not too hard.
Important Materials: What’s Inside Matters
The ingredients list is your best friend. What goes into the treat directly affects your cat’s health.
1. Beneficial Ingredients
- Real Meat/Fish: This should be the main part of the treat. It provides essential amino acids.
- Natural Preservatives: Look for Vitamin E (tocopherols) instead of artificial preservatives like BHA or BHT.
- Added Nutrients: Some healthy treats include Omega-3 fatty acids (good for skin and coat) or taurine (essential for cat heart health).
2. Ingredients to Avoid (Red Flags)
- Artificial Colors and Flavors: These add no nutritional value.
- Excessive Fillers: Ingredients like corn, wheat, or soy are often used to bulk up treats. Cats don’t digest these well.
- High Sugar Content: Treats should not be sugary. Sugar can lead to weight gain and dental problems.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Quality is determined by how the treat is made and what it leaves out.
Improving Quality:
- Freeze-Dried or Air-Dried: These methods preserve nutrients better than baking at high heat.
- Grain-Free Options: For many cats, grain-free treats are easier to digest and offer better nutrition.
- Sustainably Sourced: If the ingredients are responsibly sourced, it often means higher quality control overall.
Reducing Quality:
- By-Products: These are lower-quality parts of meat and should be avoided in healthy treats.
- Excessive Sodium: Treats high in salt can be unhealthy, especially for older cats.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use the treats affects your choice. Think about why you are giving the treat.
Training and Bonding
- If you use treats for training, you need small, easily broken pieces. Your cat should eat them quickly so training sessions stay focused.
Health Management
- If your cat has a sensitive stomach, look for single-ingredient treats (like just dried salmon). This helps you pinpoint if a certain food causes issues.
- For picky eaters, strong smells are a plus. Treats with real fish often work well to get their attention.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Healthy Cat Treats
Q: How often should I give my cat treats?
A: Treats should only make up about 10% of your cat’s total daily calories. Give them small amounts daily, or use them for rewards.
Q: Are grain-free treats always healthier for cats?
A: Often, yes. Cats do not need grains. Grain-free options usually mean the focus is more on meat protein.
Q: Can I give my dog’s treats to my cat?
A: No. Cat treats have different nutritional needs, like higher levels of taurine. Dog treats might not provide what your cat requires.
Q: What is the best texture for an older cat?
A: Soft, moist, or pate-style treats are best for older cats who may have worn-down teeth.
Q: What does “natural flavor” mean on a label?
A: This term can be vague. It usually means the flavor comes from a natural source, but always check the rest of the ingredients list to be sure.
Q: Should I worry about the calorie count in treats?
A: Yes. Overfeeding treats leads to obesity quickly. Always check the serving size recommended on the package.
Q: Are freeze-dried treats better than baked treats?
A: Freeze-drying removes water without high heat, which generally preserves more natural vitamins and nutrients than baking does.
Q: What if my cat is allergic to chicken?
A: Look for novel proteins like duck, rabbit, or specific fish like tuna or whitefish. Always read the label carefully to ensure no cross-contamination.
Q: How long do healthy treats last once opened?
A: Most healthy, natural treats last a few weeks to a couple of months after opening. Store them in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight.
Q: Do treats really help with dental health?
A: Some crunchy treats are specially designed to scrape plaque, but they are not a replacement for brushing or vet cleanings. They offer minor support.
Hi, I’m Mallory Crusta, the heart and mind behind LovelyPetSpot.com.. As a passionate pet enthusiast, I created this space to share my experiences, expertise, and love for all things pets. Whether it’s helpful tips, heartfelt stories, or advice for pet parents, my mission is to make the journey of caring for your furry, feathery, or scaly friends as joyful and fulfilling as possible. Join me in celebrating the incredible bond we share with our animal companions!