Choosing Cat Treats: Practical Buying Tips for Flavour, Ingredients and Use

A bag of cat treats might seem simple to pick up, but the differences between cat snacks are surprisingly big. Think crunchy bites, soft fillings, liquid cat treats and dental snacks for cats. The right choice depends on your cat’s age, when you plan to use them, and the information on the label.

Watch out for three common pitfalls:

• Mistaking a complementary snack for complete food. Most cat treats are complementary pet food. That means they don’t replace your cat’s daily complete diet.
• Marketing claims without context. Words like “with chicken” or “with salmon” don’t automatically mean the product is mostly made of that ingredient. Always check the percentage in the ingredients list.
• Not considering portion sizes and texture. A large pack might look like better value, but it’s less practical if your cat doesn’t like the flavour or if the snack loses its quality once opened.

What to Look for in Cat Treats

1. Age and Dietary Status

First, check which cats the treat is intended for. Some products are suitable for adult cats, while others are offered from 8 weeks of age. A kitten has different nutritional needs to an adult cat.

Catisfactions treats with cheese, salmon, chicken or the salmon and cheese mix are described as complementary pet food for adult cats and kittens from 8 weeks old. Whiskas Temptations Beef, on the other hand, is intended for adult cats. A pack labelled “for adult cats” isn’t automatically suitable for a young kitten.

Give treats alongside complete food, and adjust the main meal when the feeding guidelines say so. For example, Felix Party Mix Seaside Mix recommends a maximum of 13 grams per day for an average adult cat weighing around 4 kilograms. Always use the pack as your guide.

2. Ingredients, Analytical Constituents and Calories

The flavour name is just one part of the product information. With cat treats with chicken, cat treats with salmon, cat treats with cheese or cat treats with beef, you should also look at:

• the stated percentage of the flavouring ingredient;
• protein and fat content;
• energy per 100 grams or per treat;
• any grains, milk derivatives or other ingredients;
• the maximum amount per day.

Whiskas Temptations Beef contains 4% beef according to the product description, and has an energy value of 411 kcal per 100 grams. So the name “beef” doesn’t mean the product is made entirely from beef. Whiskas Dental Treats Chicken lists 18% chicken and 325 kcal per 100 grams.

Catisfactions states that several of its varieties contain fewer than 2 calories per treat. That makes portion control easier, but unlimited feeding is still not the idea. A treat remains a supplement to your cat’s regular food.

3. Choose the Texture for the Occasion

The texture determines how you can give the treat:

• Crunchy with a soft filling: ideal for a small reward moment. Catisfactions and Whiskas Temptations combine a crunchy outside with a soft centre.
• Soft mousse or wet treat: suits cats that prefer a smooth texture. Gourmet Revelations Salmon is described as a mousse with sauce.
• Liquid cat treats: handy as a topping over food or as a separate little snack. Vitakraft Liquid Snack Chicken comes in 15-gram portions.
• Dental treats for cats: the shape and texture are designed for chewing. According to Whiskas’ own information, Dentabites help reduce tartar. This is a brand claim; the product doesn’t replace a check-up or care recommended by a vet.

Also check the storage advice. Some opened treats must be used within four weeks, while an opened wet product like Gourmet Revelations should be kept in the fridge and used within two days, according to the product information.

Recommended Cat Treats by User Profile

Suitable for: Budget-conscious beginners

Catisfactions Cat snack chicken maxipack 180g

Why this fits the profile: The 180-gram pack is practical if you give small rewards regularly and want to try a familiar flavour.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The product information clearly states it is complementary pet food and gives separate guidelines for adult cats and kittens from 8 weeks old.

Key benefits & highlights

Crunchy outside, soft inside, chicken flavour and fewer than 2 kcal per portion according to the product description.

Suitable for: Shoppers seeking top quality

Gourmet Revelations Cat Treats Salmon 4×57g

Why this fits the profile: This option suits cats that prefer a soft, moist treat with salmon flavour over a crunchy snack.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The product information states that this is complete wet food for adult cats. So check the portion size before using it as a treat.

Key benefits & highlights

Mousse with sauce, salmon variety, four packs of 57 grams and clear storage instructions after opening.

Suitable for: Specific use & frequent users

Whiskas Dental Treats Chicken Flavor

Why this fits the profile: A logical choice for cat owners who want to pair a crunchy snack with a regular grooming routine.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The pack states a daily guideline of 17 treats for adult cats. The claimed effect against tartar comes from Whiskas itself.

Key benefits & highlights

Chicken flavour, crunchy texture, 240 grams split across six packs and 325 kcal per 100 grams according to the product information.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cat Treats

How many cat treats can a cat have per day?

That depends on the product, your cat’s weight, age and activity level. Follow the feeding guidelines on the pack and take the energy from the main meal into account. Some products give a maximum in treats, others in grams. Treats should never replace complete cat food.

Are cat treats suitable for kittens?

Some are. Look for a clear age indication, such as “from 8 weeks”. Don’t give products intended only for adult cats to a kitten. If you’re unsure about diet, allergies or a sensitive stomach, ask your vet for advice.

How should you store opened cat treats?

Keep dry treats in a cool, dry place and seal the pack tightly. Some Catisfactions and Felix products recommend use within four weeks of opening. Liquid cat treats should be refrigerated after opening or used immediately, according to the label. Always check the best-before date and storage instructions on the pack.