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

Cat treats are handy as a reward, a little snack or a small indulgence. Yet it’s easy to buy a bag that doesn’t quite suit your cat. The packaging might show a large picture of chicken or fish, while the ingredient itself is only present in a small percentage. What’s more, “natural” is often used as a quality promise, without it being clear exactly what’s inside.

When choosing cat treats, watch out for three common pitfalls:

• An appealing flavour name doesn’t always tell you how much meat or fish is in it. Check the ingredients list and look for claims such as “with chicken” or “with fish”.
• A treat is not a complete meal. Many products are complementary pet food. You’ll need to adjust the main food if you give treats every day.
• A larger pack isn’t automatically better value. After opening, the texture can deteriorate. So look at the shelf life after opening and choose a size your cat will eat within that period.

What to Look for in Cat Treats

1. Suitability for Age and Nutritional Role

First, check whether the cat treat is intended for an adult cat, a kitten or both. Some Catisfactions cat treats are, according to the product information, suitable for adult cats and kittens from 8 weeks old. The Whiskas Cat Sticks Chicken Flavor, on the other hand, are not suitable for kittens according to the stated usage information.

Also look for the label complementary pet food or supplementary pet food. This means the treat is not intended as a replacement for complete cat food. The daily amount varies by product. For example, the product information for Felix Crispies Salmon & Trout states a maximum of 12g or around 80 pieces per day for a 4kg cat. Other products have different recommended amounts.

2. Check the Ingredients and Flavour

If you’re looking for cat treats with chicken, fish, cheese or beef, it’s worth reading the ingredients list. The flavour on the front isn’t the same as the proportion of that ingredient.

• Felix Crispies Salmon & Trout lists, among other things, cereals and 0.4% salmon meal and 0.4% trout meal.
• Felix Partymix Seaside Mix contains, according to the product information, 2% fish and is flavoured with, among others, salmon, pollock and trout.
• Whiskas Cat Sticks Beef Flavor lists meat and animal derivatives, of which 80% is beef.
• Catisfactions Salmon & Cheese Mix lists fish and fish derivatives, of which 4% is salmon, and milk and milk derivatives, of which 4% is cheese.

A term like grain-free cat treats only means that the product in question shouldn’t contain any grains. That doesn’t automatically make a treat suitable for every cat. Always check the full ingredients list and take any known sensitivities into account.

3. Texture, Size and Packaging

The choice between crunchy cat treats and soft cat treats depends on what your cat enjoys and what you’re using the treat for.

• Crunchy treats, such as Felix Crispies and Catisfactions, are suitable for a quick reward.
• Catisfactions combine, according to the product description, a crunchy outside with a soft filling.
• Whiskas Cat Sticks can be broken into smaller pieces, making them practical for a controlled reward.
• Natural cat treats made from freeze-dried meat often have a firm, dry texture.

With a multipack, pay attention to the total quantity and the storage instructions. Some bags need to be sealed well after opening and used within a few weeks. A cat treat multipack is especially useful if you have multiple cats or already know which flavour goes down well.

Recommendations by Cat Owner Type

Suitable for: Budget-conscious beginners

Catisfactions Cat Treats Cheese Flavor 60g

Why this fits the profile: A compact pack is ideal for trying out which flavour your cat likes. According to the product information, this treat is suitable for adult cats and kittens from 8 weeks old.

How this product avoids the pitfall

You don’t have to buy a large multipack straight away. The packaging also states a recommended usage period after opening.

Key benefit & highlights

Crunchy outside, soft cheese filling and, according to the product information, fewer than 2 calories per piece.

Suitable for: Shoppers seeking top quality

MjAMjAM Snack-Box Exquisite Ostrich Fillet 40g x 5

Why this fits the profile: This choice suits anyone looking for a short ingredients list and a single animal protein source.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The ingredients list states 100% ostrich fillet. This makes it much clearer what you’re buying compared to treats with broad collective terms.

Key benefit & highlights

Grain-free, gluten-free, sugar-free and packed as five snack boxes. According to the product information, the treat can also be soaked.

Suitable for: Specific use & frequent users

Whiskas Cat Sticks Chicken Flavor 3x6g

Why this fits the profile: Handy for an adult cat that enjoys a soft stick and gets a treat in small pieces.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The usage instructions are clear: a maximum of one stick per day. It also clearly states that the product is not suitable for kittens.

Key benefit & highlights

The stick is easy to break. The product information states 80% meat per stick and a portion size of 3 x 6g.

Suitable for: Households wanting to stock up

Catisfactions Cat snack cheese maxipack 6 x 180g

Why this fits the profile: A large size suits households with multiple cats or cats that get a small treat every day.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The packaging gives a maximum of 20 pieces per day for adult cats and advises adjusting the main meal.

Key benefit & highlights

Soft centre, crunchy outside and a total content of six 180g packs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cat Treats

How many cat treats can a cat have per day?

This varies by product, weight and activity level. Follow the feeding guidelines on the packaging and subtract the calories from treats from the main meal. As a general practical guideline, some products state that treats should make up no more than 10% of daily calorie intake. Always provide fresh drinking water.

Are natural cat treats automatically better?

No. “Natural” doesn’t automatically describe the nutritional value or suitability. A freeze-dried treat with a single ingredient can be straightforward, but it can also be relatively high in energy. So always check the ingredients list, analytical constituents, portion size and age suitability.

Which cat treat is suitable for a kitten?

Only choose a product that explicitly mentions kittens. Catisfactions products in this selection are, according to the product information, suitable for kittens from 8 weeks old. The Whiskas Cat Sticks Chicken Flavor are not suitable for kittens according to the stated instructions. If you’re unsure about diet or sensitivities, it’s wise to consult a vet.