Joybuy Insights

Choosing Cat Treats: A Practical Guide to Flavour, Ingredients and Use

Rewarding your cat might seem straightforward, but the range of cat treats, cat snacks and liquid rewards is vast. An eye-catching packet tells you little about whether it’s right for your cat. So it’s important to focus on the product category, age suitability, ingredients and recommended amount.

Common Pitfalls with Cat Treats

1. Mistaking a Treat for Complete Cat Food

Most cat treats are complementary pet food. They’re designed as a reward or an extra, not a replacement for a complete meal. Some products can look like complete food because of their nutritional claims, even though they aren’t intended for that purpose. Always check the legal description on the packaging.

One exception in the range is products labelled as complete wet food, such as certain Gourmet Gold varieties. These serve a different purpose from cat treats.

2. Only Looking at the Flavour

A cat treat with chicken, fish or salmon might sound appealing, but you should also check the proportion of that ingredient. For example, Felix Crispies Salmon & Trout lists 0.4% salmon meal and 0.4% trout meal. That paints a very different picture from a product where fish or chicken is the main ingredient.

Also, watch out for potential allergies and sensitivities. A flavour name on the front isn’t the same as a full breakdown of the ingredients.

3. Underestimating the Daily Amount

Small treats still count as calories. Whiskas Temptations Beef contains 411 kcal per 100g according to the product information, while Catisfactions states fewer than 2 calories per piece. That difference can matter if your cat doesn’t get much exercise, tends to gain weight, or already eats a high-energy main meal.

Follow the feeding guidelines on the packaging and, if needed, reduce the main meal accordingly. As a general rule, many product labels advise that treats should make up no more than about 10% of your cat’s daily calorie intake.

Key Points to Check

Complementary or Complete Product

Look for terms like complementary pet food or aanvullende diervoeding. This means the treat isn’t intended as a replacement for complete cat food. Also check which life stage the product is suitable for:

  • Cat treats for kittens: for example, Catisfactions from 8 weeks old, or Vitakraft Liquid Snack from 3 months old.
  • Cat treats for adult cats: including Whiskas Dental Treats, Purina Dentalife and Whiskas Cat Sticks.
  • All ages: the INABA Fun Bites Cat Chicken Wraps Tuna is described as suitable for cats of all ages.

Always follow the age limit on the label for kittens. Some treats for adult cats are explicitly not suitable for kittens.

Moisture Content and When to Use

A dry treat is handy as a small reward, but it contains little moisture. A liquid cat treat or a moist reward can be given as a topping or as an extra way to encourage drinking. The INABA Churu Cat Tuna states 91% moisture and 6 calories per treat. The chicken version states 90.5% moisture and also 6 calories per stick.

According to the product data, the INABA Fun Bites Cat Chicken Wraps Tuna contains 93% moisture and is available in chicken, tuna, scallop and salmon flavours. The manufacturer describes this product as a supplement for cats that don’t drink much. That’s a usage aim from the product information, not a replacement for fresh drinking water. Always provide clean water.

Ingredients, Energy and Texture

Don’t just look at words like “natural” or “light”. Check the analytical constituents:

  • Energy: useful for comparing treats with one another.
  • Crude protein and fat: give an indication of the nutritional composition.
  • Fibre: found in, for example, anti-hairball cat treats.
  • Texture: soft filling, crunchy biscuits, sticks or a liquid consistency suit different occasions.

For dental care cat treats, the shape and texture are important. Whiskas Dental Treats and Purina Dentalife Denta Care Snacks are developed for daily dental care according to their product information. Claims about reducing plaque or tartar come from the brand or product description; don’t consider these treats a replacement for a check-up or care recommended by a vet.

Recommendations by Cat Owner Type

Suitable for: Budget-conscious beginners
Catisfactions Cat Treats Salmon Flavour 60g

Catisfactions Cat Treats Salmon Flavour 60g

Why this suits the profile: An accessible treat for cats that enjoy a crunchy outside with a soft filling. According to the product information, each treat contains fewer than 2 calories and is suitable for adult cats and kittens from 8 weeks old.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The calorie information per piece makes portion sizes easier to judge than with treats that only highlight the packaging.

Key benefit & plus points

Fewer than 2 calories per piece, soft filling and suitable from 8 weeks according to the label.

Suitable for: Shoppers seeking top quality
INABA Fun Bites Cat Chicken Wraps Tuna

INABA Fun Bites Cat Chicken Wraps Tuna

Why this suits the profile: Ideal for anyone looking for a moist treat with multiple flavours. The product description states 93% moisture and a combination of chicken, tuna, scallop and salmon.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The high moisture content is clearly stated, so you’re not judging the product on the flavour name alone.

Key benefit & plus points

93% moisture, four flavour varieties and suitable for cats of all ages according to the product information.

Suitable for: Specific use & frequent users
Purina Dentalife Denta Care Snacks Cat Snack Salmon 40g

Purina Dentalife Denta Care Snacks Cat Snack Salmon 40g

Why this suits the profile: Aimed at adult cat owners looking for a daily chew treat with salmon flavour. The product description mentions a crunchy, porous texture and a recommended amount based on weight.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The product information states a daily portion and advises supervision during eating, so use isn’t based on a general claim alone.

Key benefit & plus points

35% crude protein, 13.3% fat and a texture developed by Purina for dental care.

Suitable for: Budget-conscious beginners
Vitakraft Liquid Snack Chicken Cat Treats

Vitakraft Liquid Snack Chicken

Why this suits the profile: A practical choice for cats from 3 months old that accept soft treats. According to the product description, you can give this treat on its own, as a topping or frozen.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The portion is clearly stated as a maximum of one piece per day. That helps prevent overfeeding.

Key benefit & plus points

Liquid texture, chicken flavour and 6 portions of 15g according to the product data.

Looking for more options?

We’ve put together a full, up-to-date list of products that fully meet these strict selection criteria and comply with current European safety regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cat Treats

How many cat treats can a cat have per day?

That depends on your cat’s weight, age, activity level and main food. Follow the guideline on the packaging and count the calories towards the daily total. Products like Catisfactions, INABA Churu and Whiskas Cat Sticks state a specific amount. Give treats in moderation and always provide fresh drinking water.

Are cat treats suitable for kittens?

Some are, others aren’t. Catisfactions states suitability from 8 weeks old, and Vitakraft Liquid Snack from 3 months old. Whiskas Cat Sticks are not suitable for kittens according to the product information. So always check the age indication before you buy.

Do anti-hairball cat treats really work?

G’woon Cat Treats Anti-hairball contains, among other things, 4% lignocellulose according to the product description, and is intended for cats that suffer from hairballs. The claim that the product helps reduce hairballs comes from the brand’s product information. Keep an eye on your cat and consult a vet if problems persist.