How to Choose the Best Treats for Your Cat

Paired with food puzzles or foraging toys, adding treats to your cat’s daily routine can help to resolve boredom and frustration and, in turn, even reduce behavior problems! But what is the best cat treat?

Walking down the aisles of the pet store can be overwhelming. There are so many products out there for your pet, that it’s hard to know what to choose from the countless brands and types offered.

In any given store, there will be at least a few dozen types of treats to pick from. Generally, treats will fall into one of two categories: wet cat treats and dry cat treats. What’s the best treat for your cat? Here’s a little background on each:

Are Wet Treats Best for My Cat?

• Wet treats are growing in popularity and can be a very palatable snack for your cat. Delectables™ Lickable™ treats come in multiple textures, including bisques, stews, broths, gravies, and soft pates. These also come in a variety of flavors, including chicken or tuna, with additional flavors such as shrimp, beef, duck, salmon, and more.
• In addition to pouches, wet treats also come in a tube, like Delectables™ Squeeze Up®. If you’re looking for a healthy cat treat, each Squeeze Up tube has only about 7 calories. These cat treats are also great for training since your cat can lick up a small amount at a time directly from the tube. These treats are also great for bonding with your feline friend since it’s an interactive experience with you feeding him the treat.
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  Feeding lickable treats from the tube is great for bonding with your cats.

  Wet treats can be a lot more palatable for cats who are sick or elderly and may have a decreased appetite. The secret is in the smell! These treats tend to have a strong aroma, so they’re more likely to catch your cat’s attention.

• These treats also have a higher moisture content, so they can help to promote hydration. Most cats don’t get enough water intake, so anything helps!

Are Dry Treats Best for My Cat?

• These treats come in all sorts of brands, flavors, and consistencies. You might find a bag of crunchy tuna-flavored treats, or a container of soft chicken-flavored treats. Generally, you’ll find that these dry treats are similar to the dry food or kibble you may feed your cat. Simply place one in a bowl on the floor in front of your cat and you’re good to go! Many cats prefer to eat from the ground rather than directly from your hand.
• Dry treats are easier to use with most food puzzles and foraging toys. Almost any cat will appreciate a good puzzle toy as part of their daily enrichment routine, especially if the reward is tasty treats rather than boring kibble! Foraging is a behavior that comes naturally to cats, and your cat will thank you for the fun game!
• Bowling for treats can be a fun game for kittens and higher-energy adult cats. Toss a treat down the hallway and watch your cat race as fast as he can to get it. This can be just as entertaining for the humans as the cats! This game simulates chasing after their prey, so it tends to be very rewarding as well.
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  Your cat may appreciate a puzzle toy filled with treats as part of a daily enrichment routine.

  Dry treats are easily sealed back up for next time if your cat doesn’t eat them all in one sitting. Most come in plastic containers or in a reusable zip-lock bag.

The Best Cat Treats are Given in Moderation

According to Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, treats should make up no more than 10-15% of your cat’s diet. However, they are perfectly fine in moderation. As a reminder, be sure to consult with your veterinarian before picking out treats for your furry friend. Your vet may recommend dental treats, low-calorie treats, or even prescription diet treats depending on your cat’s unique needs. They will certainly be able to give you the best cat treat options and let you know how many treats are appropriate to give each day.

The most important thing to remember is that the best type of cat treat is whatever type is most rewarding and appetizing for your kitty! There is no “one size fits all” approach when it comes to the best treats for cats. Go on a shopping spree, and don’t be afraid to try out several different kinds. Whichever your cat is a fan of, consider donating the same type of treat to your local shelter or rescue group to share the joy. Have fun and happy snacking!