Healthy Cat Treats

Healthy cat treats aren't difficult to find if you read the labels but it can get expensive if you bring home a healthy treat for your cat and he won't eat it. Yes, there will be some trial and error because not all cats are created equal. Their tastes vary tremendously. Perhaps you got your furry little friend from a breeder or a pet shop and they got accustomed to particular foods.

A good way to experiment is to find Sampler packs like the ones seen below.

PureBites Cat Treats (Sampler 4 Pack) are made with only 1 ingredient. 100% Pure USDA inspected Chicken, Shrimp, Ocean Whitefish or Beef liver (whichever flavor you are trying) Plus each treat is only 1 calorie per treat (beef liver is 3 calories per treat). All are high in protein and products of the USA.

In my case, four of my six little critters have arrived hungry at the door with ages ranging from 6 months to 3 years old (two I got from our local animal shelter when they were 4 months old). I used to believe that a stray or feral cat that adjusted to having a home would be easy to feed. Wrong! At first they'll eat anything they are so grateful to have food but over time they develop preferences that don't always match the "food of the day" menu that was planned.

Seen above: Friskies Party Mix which has the taurine that cats require and gets gobbled up by my cats when I offer it.

Treats can be given to encourage your cat to play and get exercise. I reward my cats with treats when I’ve clipped their nails or given them medications…both are situations that they dislike. They return to normal faster and are calmer with the tasty treats. But, like candy for kids, we have to choose nutritional treats more like veggies and meat for cats.

Seen Below: Whiskas Temptations Chicken flavor. Simply click on the photos for more info.

Healthy cat treats along with lots of affection are things we love to pamper our old or young kitties with. But too much of a good thing (treats) can mean weight gain and lack of good nutrition. Unfortunately the labels don’t give us enough information. Rarely is there a calorie count. Look at the label to see if a treat is approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). This group sets pet food manufacturing standards but they are minimal.

Healthy Cat Treats include Cat Grass & Catnip

Cat Grass makes a fine low calorie healthy cat treat. It is actually a cereal grass like wheat or oats. Easy to grow in a sunny window. You can also find dried and fresh greens in pet stores. Some cats throw up the cat grass that you purchase so in that case stick with just catnip.

Catnip makes a another low calorie cat treat and it's also easy to grow in a sunny window. Dried catnip is available from numerous sources. I use the dried product to spread on a toy and watch them get exercise rolling around on the floor and then tossing the toy in the air...simply having fun.

Healthy Cat Treats that Cats Love

Green Butterfly Salmon Treats is loaded with taurine, the cat diet requirement. Freeze dried Wild Caught American Salmon.

The natural fish oils also contribute to a beautiful glossy fur coat. Low in calories it's the "go to" treat in my home. A small amount goes a long way and you'll see your cats licking their chops for a longtime after having this treat.

IVD Feline Treats by Royal Canin (above) also offer a good choice.

Greenies Dental Treats come in several flavors, even catnip. They are a healthy cat treat that assist with dental health. However, although it may help keeping tartar down your cat will probably still need a teeth cleaning after some years pass.

Greenies SmartBites Hairball Contol Cat Treats work quite well. My cat Chanel is a long-haired cat that has always had a fur ball problem. Giving her these every few days has lowered the incidences dramatically.

I prefer giving her these treats rather than having a battle to get the other gooey hair ball products into her mouth...and they contain taurine.

Greenies SmartBites Healthy Skin & Fur are another treat that accomplishes more than just being a treat.

The product is formulated with vitamins etc. that specifically support the skin and fur of your cat...and it has the needed taurine. Plus it comes in several flavors so you can choose the one that your cat prefers.

Greenies SmartBites Digestive Care Cat Treats help support the digestive system of your cat.

Also available in other flavors, the Salmon is a preference with our cats.

Make your own healthy cat treats also

You can also make your own healthy cat treats by cooking up small bits of liver, fish or eggs for your cat. At least you’ll know what the ingredients are. However, all treats should be given sparingly and don’t let your beloved feline con you into more treats with begging. Remember that cats are carnivorous and they are incapable of digesting some types of foods. Here are some “human food” healthy cat treats…

Some of these foods should be baked or steamed, cut into small bites, and given sparingly. This will prevent choking and lessen the carbohydrate/calorie intake. You can give the veggies and fruits alone or you can mash or puree them and mix them with the regular meal time diet.

Items that are safe:

Green beans
Blueberries
Strawberries
Frozen bananas
Watermelon (without seeds)
Carrots (raw or cooked)
Squash
Zucchini
Lettuce

Spinach
Sweet potato (cooked cubed or mashed but without butter or seasoning)
Regular potatoes (but in small amounts since they are high in sugar an can cause weight gain)
Popcorn (unsalted and unbuttered)
Catnip or cat grass.

Items that are not safe:

Grapes and raisins
Garlic and onions – both have chemical properties that can be toxic, and even life threatening to dogs and cats
Tomatoes
Avocado
Chocolate

Mushrooms – particularly wild mushrooms
Fruits with pits, such as peaches, cherries, and plums – in some cases the pit can be toxic, or can simply present a choking hazard
Nuts – particularly macadamia nuts, which are toxic to pets

When you change to healthy cat treats your cat's overall health will benefit. The immune system will be tougher, aging will not be as severe and its weight will stabilize. However, watch your pet for any changes that occur with a change in diet such as digestive or behavioral changes.