Your cats are furry family members, so it’s natural that you want to spoil them with tasty cat treats. Whether you shake the box to encourage your cat to come inside, use them for training or to reward good behavior, or you simply love feeding Kitty some yummy extras, the right cat treat is out there for you. Just because it’s a treat, it doesn’t have to be the feline equivalent of junk food, however. Plenty of cat treats are nutritionally sound without tons of additives or sub par ingredients.
We reviewed dozens of cat treats to identify the best of the best. To make our top picks, we compared a range of factors, including the type of treat, ingredients, how palatable they are, calorie content, and customer reviews.
A delectable treat that help your pet stay calm and relaxed.
It wasn’t an easy choice with so many excellent cat treats on the market, but we ultimately chose Medterra CBD Calming Soft Chews as our top pick. These treats are made from quality CBD, with absolutely no fillers or unsavory ingredients.
The 5 Top-Rated Cat Treats
Editor’s Picks | Brand | Rating |
---|---|---|
Best Overall | Medterra CBD Calming Soft Chews | 4.0 |
Runner Up | Temptations Classic Treats for Cats | 4.8 |
Best Budget Buy | Blue Buffalo Bursts Crunchy Cat Treats | 4.7 |
Best Kibble Topper | CBD American Shaman CBD Cat Food Kitty Nugs | N/A |
Best Soft Cat Treats | Meow Mix Irresistibles, Soft White Meat Chicken | 4.3 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
Our Top Pick: Medterra CBD Calming Soft Chews
If your feline friend is head of your household and will accept nothing but the finest morsels, look no further than Medterra CBD Calming Soft Chews. These bacon flavored treats are perfect for both cats and dogs and intended or pet 12 weeks or older. Each soft chew include 10mg of CBD as well as vitamin e and vitamin c.
What’s more, Medterra is made with calming ingredients including Valerian Root and L-Tryptophan, and high-quality CBD that’s fully compliant under Kentucky Department of Agricultural Industrial Hemp Pilot Program and certified by the U.S. Hemp Authority.
Medterra CBD Calming Soft Chews Key Features:
- 0% THC
- Non-GMO, no pesticides
- Made in the USA,
Our Runner Up Pick: Temptations Classic Treats for Cats
Temptations Classic Treats for Cats have a little something extra on your average crunchy treat. Although they have that irresistible crunch on the outside, the inside is soft and even more tasty, making these treats that cats just can’t turn their noses up at. What’s more, there are 10 flavors to choose from (seven single flavors and three “mix-ups,” containing a mixture of three single flavor treats in the same pack), so you’re sure to find a flavor your feline friend enjoys.
While these are primarily designed to be fed as treats, they’re completely nutritionally balanced, so you can use them as a total replacement for your cat’s kibble. Alternatively, you can reduce the amount you feed your cat at mealtimes and replace this with Temptations Classic Treats fed throughout the day. That way, your cat won’t put on weight from being fed her normal amount of food plus treats, but you’ll know she’s still getting all the nutrients she needs. A 16 ounce pack of these treats costs around $9.
Temptations Classic Treats for Cats Key Features:
- Less than two calories per treat
- Lidded container helps treats stay fresh
- Highly palatable
Best Budget Pick: Blue Buffalo Bursts Crunchy Cat Treats
For some cats, completely crunchy treats won’t cut it—while others don’t like completely creamy ones. So why not get the best of both worlds? Blue Buffalo Bursts Crunchy Cat Treats are perfectly crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. Priced at less than $4 per five ounce pack, they offer excellent value for money, especially considering the quality.
These treats come in a choice of three tantalizing flavors: salmon (pictured), chicken, and real chicken liver and beef. There’s also a smaller two ounce size and 12 ounce size available. While certain can treats can be filled with not-so-healthy ingredients, these treats focus on wholesome ingredients. You won’t find any poultry by-product meal, corn, wheat, or soy in them. They’re also free from artificial flavors and preservatives.
Blue Buffalo Bursts Crunchy Cat Treats Key Features:
- Free from meat by-products, corn, wheat, or soy
- Wholesome ingredients only
- Choice of 3 different flavors
Best Kibble Topper: CBD American Shaman CBD Cat Food Kitty Nugs
A delicious chickened flavored treat and this makes a great treat.
Now you can treat your cat at mealtimes, too, with CBD American Shaman CBD Cat Food Kitty Nugs. These bites are formulated to top your cat’s kibble to add some tasty variety, which is perfect for picky eaters. However, you can use them as treats, too. Made from chicken, salmon, beets, spinach, watercress and other delicious vegetables, these raw treats pack a hefty nutritional punch.
The treats are also made with full spectrum hemp extract, and include Vitamin B12, Omega Fatty Acids and Calcium. While it might seem quite pricey, but it does contain 10mg of hemp extract per cup. You can add one scoop per each cup of their favorite food.
CBD American Shaman CBD Cat Food Kitty Nugs Key Features:
- Lab tested
- Grown in the USA
- Hemp and chicken recipe
Best Soft Cat Treats: Meow Mix Irresistibles, Soft White Meat Chicken
It might be a basic grocery store brand, but Meow Mix Irresistibles, Soft White Meat Chicken treats are surprisingly high quality in some ways. Unlike some high end brands, the vast majority of ingredients are sourced from the U.S.A. and the rest come from Canada. No ingredients are sourced from China, an area that sometimes exports dubious meat products.
That said, these aren’t high-end cat treats and there are some things about them that we don’t like about them, such as the unnamed animal digest. If you’re looking for some cheap and cheerful soft treats, however, these cost $30 for a whopping 68 ounces of treats (four packs of 17 ounces).
Meow Mix Irresistibles, Soft White Meat Chicken Key Features:
- Four other soft treat flavors available
- Only two calories per treat
- Made in the U.S.A.
Who Should Buy Cat Treats
It can can be tough figuring out exactly what to feed your cat, but the vast majority of kitties can enjoy cat treats as an added extra. Unless your feline friend has a restricted diet for medical reasons or needs to lose a lot of weight, all cat owners should buy cat treats.
Feeding your cat treats is a great way to bond with her. Although felines aren’t exactly known for being highly trainable, treats are a must if you want to go down that route. You can use cat treats to reinforce positive behaviors, such as coming indoors when called.
A delectable treat that help your pet stay calm and relaxed.
Important Features to Consider
Cat treats should have a few important features. Here’s what to consider when selecting treats for your cat:
- Type of cat treat. Soft and crunchy treats are perhaps the most common varieties, but there are more out there, too. From lickable treats to kibble toppers to dental treats, there’s a treat on the market to suit every cat.
- Ingredient quality. Consider the quality of the ingredients in any cat treats you’re thinking about buying. We’d generally recommend avoiding treats with artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. Look for treats made from named meats that are sourced as ethically as possible.
- Flavor. Cat treats come in a range of flavors and some will be more appealing to your cat than others. Think about the kinds of flavors your cat might enjoy. For instance, if she loves playing with catnip toys, she may like catnip flavored treats.
- Nutritional profile. Cat treats may be complete and balanced or for supplemental feeding only. Complete and balanced cat treats can be fed in place of a portion of your cat’s regular food without depriving her of essential nutrients.
- Calories. Unless your cat needs to gain weight, you don’t want to add too many additional calories to her diet. We’d recommend cat treats that contain no more than a couple of calories a piece. However, choose even lower calorie options for cats who are verging on overweight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I give my cat treats every day?
Yes, you can feed treats to your cat every day, as long as you make sure you don’t feed too many.
How many treats are too many for a cat?
Most cat treats give you a recommended maximum amount of treats to feed your cat each day. This amount will depend on the calorie content of the food, in addition to your pet’s weight, age, and activity level. However, somewhere between five and ten treats per day is plenty.
Can cat treats go bad?
Cat treats can go bad, though your kitty will usually get through them before they do! First off, check the best before date and ensure you use up the treats before this date. You should also store the treats as directed once open, whether in an airtight container or in a cool, dark place. Look out for any signs of spoilage, such as a bad smell, color change, or mold growth.
Why does my cat only eat treats?
Some cats are simply fussy eaters and will reject regular cat food in favor of eating treats only. Once they’ve decided they like the taste of a particular treat, they go off their standard food. Although you can find some complete and balanced cat treats, the majority are not complete foods and therefore don’t contain all the essential nutrients your cat needs to thrive. If your cat is refusing to eat anything but treats, you could try out a tasty kibble topper or mix in some of her favorite treats to her food. If you feed dry food only, switching to a wet food might help, too.