The Best Cat Treats To Reward Your Favorite Feline
If you’re looking to bond with your cat or encourage good behavior, a few treats are often the way to your pet’s heart. Cat treats come in a variety of forms—including crunchy, soft and lickable options—and tasty flavors like chicken, tuna and other cat-approved proteins. While there’s an abundance of options out there, the best cat treats overall are the widely beloved Blue Buffalo’s Bursts, which are made from high-quality ingredients.
While not as essential as cat food, a bag of treats is always worth having on hand. “Cats can be very food motivated, and using treats helps with training and teaching your cat tricks,” says veterinarian Dr. Jessica Bell, DVM, of Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. “Also, using puzzle feeders or treats that fit inside a toy are great ways to increase environmental enrichment.” Below, we’ve rounded up the best cat treats that are sure to be met with plenty of purring.
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Best Cat Treats Overall: Blue Buffalo Bursts
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Best Value Cat Treats: Temptations Classic Cat Treats
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Best Cat Treats For Kittens: Temptations Kitten Treats
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Best Cat Treats For Seniors: Inaba Churu Lickable Cat Treat
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Best Freeze-Dried Cat Treats: PureBites Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Treats
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Best Lickable Cat Treats: Delectables Squeeze Up Lickable Cat Treats
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Best Catnip: Yeowww Catnip Tub
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Best Cat Treats For Giving Pills: Greenies Feline Pill Pockets
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Best Cat Treats For Hairball Control: Inaba Churu Hairball Control
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Best Cat Dental Treats: Greenies Feline Dental Treats
Best Cat Treats Overall
Feline-Approved Crunchy Bites With A Soft Center
Blue Buffalo Bursts
Type: Crunchy | Container size: 12 ounces | Calories: 2.1 per treat | Flavors: Chicken, liver and beef, or seafood
Pros:
- Crunchy shell and creamy center
- Real chicken is the main ingredient
- Suitable for cats of all ages
Cons:
- Not available in larger container sizes
Blue Buffalo Bursts are a top choice for cats, thanks to their tasty flavors and high-quality ingredients. Featuring a crunchy outer shell with a creamy filling inside, they’re suitable for cats of all ages, from kittens to seniors. You can also get them in three different flavors, and the first ingredient in the treats is real meat (many subpar options use meat by-products or meals). What’s more, they’re free of corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors and preservatives, in case your cat has a sensitivity.
Best Value Cat Treats
A Popular Pick You Can Buy In Bulk
Type: Crunchy | Container size: 30 ounces | Calories: Less than 2 per treat | Flavors: Chicken, tuna, seafood and more
Pros:
- Low price for a large container
- Most cats love the taste
Cons:
- Not the highest-quality ingredients
Temptations Cat Treats are one of the most popular options out there for two main reasons: Not only do cats love these crunchy treats, but they’re highly affordable. In other words, if you have multiple cats or are just looking for a good value, these treats might be the way to go. Featuring a crunchy exterior and smooth filling, they come in a wide variety of cat-approved flavors, including chicken, tuna and seafood medley, so you’re sure to find an option that your pet will love.
Best Cat Treats For Kittens
Small Morsels With Nutrients To Support Healthy Growth
Temptations Kitten Treats
Type: Crunchy | Container size: 3 ounces | Calories: Less than 2 per treat | Flavors: Chicken and dairy or salmon and dairy
Pros:
- Crunchy outside and soft inside
- Formulated for the nutritional needs of kittens
Cons:
- Only available in small pouches
If you recently brought home a kitten, these crunchy treats are specifically designed for the needs of young cats. Similar to the brand’s regular treats, these morsels—which come in two flavors, including chicken and dairy—have a hard shell with a creamy filling inside. (If you’re avoiding chicken for any reason, don’t miss the brand’s salmon and dairy version.) They also contain omega-3 fatty acids to support healthy brain development. The only downside is the treats are only sold in small 3-ounce pouches, so you may end up purchasing them frequently.
Best Cat Treats For Seniors
Lickable Tubes That Are Easy To Eat
Type: Lickable | Container size: 50 0.5-ounce tubes | Calories: 6 per tube | Flavors: Chicken, tuna or seafood variety packs
Pros:
- Easy for senior cats to eat
- High-quality ingredients
- Good source of moisture
Cons:
- Only available in variety packs
If you have an older cat that has trouble chewing crunchy treats, they’re guaranteed to love Inaba Churu Cat Treats, which come in a purée form. The treats are packaged in 0.5-ounce tubes, it’s easy to rip off the top and squeeze the soft mixture out for your cat to enjoy. The puree contains high-quality ingredients like real tuna and chicken, and as an added bonus, each tube has just 6 calories and a high moisture content to help keep your older cat hydrated.
Best Freeze-Dried Cat Treats
One-Ingredient Snacks In A Variety Of Flavors
Type: Freeze-dried | Container size: 1.1 ounces | Calories: 2 per treat | Flavors: Chicken, beef, tuna, whitefish, duck, minnow, salmon, shrimp or turkey
Pros:
- Wide range of protein options
- Only contain one ingredient
- Treats are high in protein
Cons:
- If mishandled, bags may contain a lot of crushed treats
- Pricey for a small bag
If you’re looking for cat treats that are free from preservatives and fillers, these freeze-dried bites contain just one ingredient: freeze-dried real meat. They come in a wide range of flavors, from classics like chicken and tuna to more unique options like shrimp and minnow. And because they’re pure meat, the high-protein treats are often a hit with even the pickiest eaters. The only downside? They’re relatively pricey for cat treats (but still, a single bag is only $6).
Best Lickable Cat Treats
Variety Packs Full Of Tasty Tubed Treats
Delectables Squeeze Up Lickable Cat Treats
Type: Lickable | Container size: 24 0.5-ounce tubes | Calories: 7.4 per treat | Flavors: Variety packs
Pros:
- Lickable treats encourage bonding with your pet
- Higher moisture content than most treats
- High-quality ingredients
Cons:
- Only available in variety packs
Giving your cat a Delectables Squeeze Up Treats is a great way to bond with them, as you have to hold the tube for them to lick. These popular treats come in variety packs that contain flavors like chicken, tuna and shrimp, and the ingredient list is minimal, mostly containing water and real protein sources. Not only are these lickable treats beloved by most cats, but they’re also a great option if your cat doesn’t drink enough water. Each 0.5-ounce tube contains 90% moisture, helping to keep your pet hydrated.
Best Catnip
High-Quality Catnip In A Resealable Tub
Yeowww Catnip Tub
Type: Catnip | Container size: 2 ounces | Calories: N/A | Flavors: N/A
Pros:
- Contains premium organic catnip
- Free from stems
- Resealable container
Cons:
- Container can crack if mishandled
If you want to refill plush cat toys, get your cat interested in a new scratcher or just provide a little extra enrichment, Yeowww Catnip is sure to do the trick. Sold in a 2-ounce resealable container, this catnip solely contains a flower top blend, so you don’t have to worry about stems or twigs being mixed in. In fact, it’s the same catnip blend that the brand uses in its popular cat toys, and it’s reasonably priced for such a large container.
Best Cat Treats For Giving Pills
Convenient Pill Pockets To Hide Medicine
Greenies Feline Pill Pockets
Type: Pill pockets | Container size: 1.6 ounces | Calories: 3 per treat | Flavors: Chicken
Pros:
- Contains pocket that fits most medications
- Moldable shape helps keep pills in place
- Contains probiotics for digestive health
Cons:
- May dry out if bag isn’t sealed fully
It can be challenging to get cats to take medication, but these Greenies Pill Pockets make the task easier. Each treat has a little hole in the center where you can hide medication, and the soft treats are pliable enough that you can mold it around the pill. The chicken flavor helps to hide the smell of medication, and most cats happily eat the treat, never the wiser that there’s a pill inside it. Just be sure to fully seal the back each time you open it, as the treats dry out quickly, which makes them crumbly and less effective.
Best Cat Treats For Hairball Control
Lickable Tubes That Support Digestion
Type: Lickable | Container size: 24 0.5-ounce tubes | Calories: 6 per treat | Flavors: Tuna or chicken
Pros:
- Contains added fiber to support dige
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