Last updated Jun 3, 2024
Mallory Crusta / Cats.com
The best cat treats are absolutely delicious. Here’s why the irresistibility factor is essential.
Cats are highly food motivated. When you offer them an irresistible treat, they’ll be willing to work to get it. If you’re interested in clicker training and dream of a day when your cat will jump through hoops and shake paws on command, it’s essential to choose a scrumptious treat your cat is willing to work for.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Cat Treats
Want a quick look at the products reviewed in this article? In the comparison table below, we’ve highlighted some of the most important features of each product. You’ll find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Cat-Man-Doo Bonito Flakes
- Cats go wild over these fish flakes
- Just one ingredient - perfect for sensitive cats
- Low-carbohydrate
Orijen Tundra Freeze-Dried Cat Treats
- Freeze-dried to preserve nutrition
- Made with novel proteins, may be good for cats with allergies
- Limited number of ingredients
American Journey Chicken Recipe Soft & Chewy Cat Treats
- Soft texture is easy for senior cats to chew
- Two sources of animal-based protein
- Easily digestible with short ingredients list
Purina DentaLife Dental Cat Treats
- Unique porous texture helps reduce tartar buildup
- Tasty salmon and chicken flavors cats love
- Fortified with added calcium and taurine
Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Minnows Cat Treats
- Made with a single natural ingredient
- Free from added carbohydrates
- No added colors, flavors, or preservatives
PureBites Chicken Breast
- Made with 100% pure human-grade chicken
- Simple recipe, easy to digest
- Packed with nutrition and protein
Shameless Catnip N Chill Cat Treats
- Meat is always the first ingredient
- Sustainably made with upcycled produce
- Rich in flavor but low in calories
KittyUp Functional Puree Treat
- Smooth puree texture easy for cats to eat
- Supplemented with taurine
- Supports functional nutrition
VetriScience Composure Chicken Liver Flavor Soft Chews
- Made with three calming active ingredients
- Affordably priced
- Chewy treats can be broken into pieces
Meowijuana Crunchie Munchie Salmon Cat Treats
- Crunchy shell with creamy catnip center
- Supplemented with taurine
- Several sources of animal-based protein
Top Picks Explained
Even if training isn’t your goal, delicious treats make your cat’s life more exciting – and who wants a treat that doesn’t make their cat’s pupils dilate?
The Best Cat Treats Are Also Healthy
Some people dismiss the low nutritional value of certain treats by saying, “It’s a treat. It’s not supposed to be healthy. Don’t worry about it.”
But why shouldn’t cat treats be just as nutritious as they are delicious? Cats love eating the things that are best for their health. As natural carnivores, fresh meat, organs, and bones are some of their favorite things to eat.
If your cat is currently obsessed with a less-than-nutritious treat like Temptations, remember that they’re probably not thrilled by the unsavory parts of the ingredient list. They don’t want corn. They don’t want rice. They don’t want Yellow 5 or Blue 2.
The thing making your cat meow and claw at the bag is a vaguely labeled additive called “natural flavor”.
In cat food, natural flavor typically refers to hydrolyzed animal tissue. This is a highly concentrated animal flavor additive. It’s intensely flavorful and most cats absolutely love it. Other crazy-delicious treats contain animal liver, which is also a concentrated source of the rich, meaty flavor cats long for.
So, knowing that your cat craves meat, skip the sugars, artificial colors, and carbohydrates.
Look for treats that are made from high-quality, simple ingredients like chicken liver, beef meat, and perhaps a little salmon. Avoid treats that contain corn, wheat, soy, added sugar, and other unnecessary additives like artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives.
In small quantities, treats made from 100% meat are appropriate for most cats, including those with health conditions such as , diabetes, and sensitive stomachs.
What About Cat Treats for Dental Health?
Most treats marketed for dental health capitalize on the premise that crunchy food can scrape plaque off your cat’s teeth, preventing continued dental decay. Current veterinary knowledge suggests, however, that dry food and wet cat food are equally incapable of cleaning your cat’s teeth, so most of these special treats are useless.
Also Read: Best Dental Cat Treats
If you’re passionate about promoting good dental health, you may offer treats infused with bacteria-consuming enzymatic cleaners or even train your cat to let you brush its teeth.
Top 10 Best Cat Treats on the Market
To help you pick the best treats for your cat, we tested dozens of different brands and recipes to bring you our top picks. Read on to see what we think are the best cat treats on the market.
#1 Overall Best: Cat-Man-Doo Bonito Flakes
Also known as skipjack, bonitos are medium-sized ocean fish related to tuna. Bonito flakes are simply dehydrated pieces of this fish’s flesh – but don’t let their unassuming appearance fool you. These straightforward treats are absurdly appetizing.
Bonito flakes are well-known in the cat community as an appetite stimulant and ideal food topper, especially for cats who need an extra nudge to eat.
These ultra-appetizing flakes are high in protein and offer omega-3 fatty acids to support your cat’s skin and coat health.
Problematically, bonito flakes are paper-thin and it’s difficult to give a single piece as a traditional treat. Also, beware that the treats are likely to crumble to dust at the bottom of the bag. Many reviewers recommend transferring the bonito flakes to a jar to prevent crumbling.
Ingredients
100% Dried Bonito.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- Cats go wild over these fish flakes
- Just one ingredient – perfect for sensitive cats
- Low-carbohydrate
- Doubles as a food topper and appetite stimulant
Cons
- These flakes are easily crumbled
#2 Runner Up: Orijen Tundra Freeze-Dried Cat Treats
Business Insider names these meat-heavy treats from Orijen the “best freeze-dried cat treats” and they were selected as the overall best cat treat of 2018 on Reviews.com.
Made with fresh regional wild boar, goat, venison, and arctic char, these treats rely solely on freeze-dried muscle meat and organs to deliver protein, fat, and deliciousness. Although crunchy extruded treats usually beat freeze-dried treats in taste tests, these treats do surprisingly well. Cats seem to love them. Maybe it’s because three different types of fresh liver feature prominently on the ingredient list.
The freeze-drying process makes these treats safer than raw meat to handle and store, but it doesn’t destroy the delicate nutrient profile of raw meat, making these treats as nourishing as chunks of raw flesh. Unlike other freeze-dried treats, Orijen’s Tundra treats are quite cohesive and don’t disintegrate in the bag, meaning that you don’t have to worry about buying a bag of meat powder.
While some treats, especially those marketed for both cats and dogs, are ever-so-slightly too large to use as a training tool, these treats are small and low in calories.
Ingredients
Wild Boar Liver, Wild Boar, Goat Liver, Venison Liver, Goat, Venison, Arctic Char, Mixed Tocopherols (Natural Preservative).
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- Manufactured by a trusted leader in the pet food industry
- Made without any artificial ingredients or added sugars
- Not crumbly
Cons
- Considerably more expensive than the average treat
#3 Best Budget: American Journey Chicken Recipe Soft & Chewy Cat Treats
Dental problems are common in older cats, and they can sometimes make chewing uncomfortable. In addition to feeding your senior cat soft foods, make sure the treats you offer are soft as well.
These chicken recipe treats from American Journey are perfectly bite-sized and have a moist, chewy texture that’s easy on sensitive mouths. Fresh chicken is the first ingredient, supplemented by fresh chicken and pork gelatin as additional sources of animal-based protein.
With only 2 calories per treat and added fiber, these treats can help support weight maintenance in older cats. The list of ingredients does contain a few plant ingredients, but it is fairly short overall which helps ensure digestibility.
Ingredients
Chicken, Chickpeas, Coconut Glycerin, Pork Gelatin, Natural Flavor, Dried Citrus Pulp, Citric Acid (Preservative), Salt, Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Rosemary Extract.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- Soft texture is easy for senior cats to chew
- Two sources of animal-based protein
- Easily digestible with short ingredients list
Cons
- Contains some added plant ingredients
#4 Best Dental Treat: Purina DentaLife Dental Cat Treats
Available in chicken and salmon flavor, these dental cat treats feature a porous, crunchy texture that allows your cat’s teeth to penetrate the teeth for an all-around clean. These treats are scientifically tested by Purina and shown to help reduce tartar buildup.
Though these crunchy cat treats are accepted by the Veterinary Oral Health Council for controlling tartar, we’re not in love with all of the ingredients. Though these treats are made with chicken meal and fish meal, there are a few corn-based ingredients as well as non-specific ingredients like animal digest.
If you’re working with a very limited budget for cat treats, however, and want something your cat will enjoy that also benefits his oral health, these DentaLife treats may do the trick.
In addition to being good for preventing tartar buildup, these treats contain supplemental calcium and taurine. Calcium is a mineral that supports strong bones and healthy teeth while taurine is an essential amino acid necessary for healthy vision, immunity, and heart health.
These crunchy treats are sold in 1.8-ounce bags and 19-ounce canisters, and they are very low in calories – under 1.5 calories apiece.
Ingredients
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- Unique porous texture helps reduce tartar buildup
- Tasty salmon and chicken flavors cats love
- Fortified with added calcium and taurine
Cons
- Contains corn-based ingredients
- Made with unspecified ingredients (animal digest)
#5 Best Novelty Treat: Vital Essentials Minnows Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Treats
Isn’t there something fun about handing your cat an entire freeze-dried minnow as a treat?
These treats have definite novelty appeal, but they’re not just about looking cool. These single-ingredient minnow treats are rich in protein and free from all of the nasty ingredients common among standard crunchy treats.
Thanks to low-heat processing, these treats contain all the nutrients found in a raw minnow. Every part of the small fish is intact – eyes, internal organs, and tiny bones.
They’re easy to feed and, if your cat likes fish, these treats are insanely appetizing. One reviewer on Amazon said that “I had to call the company to see if he could overdose on them, lol, he ate the whole bag in one day.”
Ingredients
Minnows
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- Single-ingredient treats
- Wild-caught minnows from natural bodies of water
- Free from high-carbohydrate additives
- No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
- Highly appetizing for cats who like fish
Cons
- If your cat doesn’t like fish, they probably won’t care for this treat
- Relatively expensive
#6 Best Limited Ingredient Treat: PureBites Chicken Breast
You could feed your cat pieces of unseasoned chicken breast from dinner, or you could give them these freeze-dried pieces of chicken packed into a convenient bag.
These single-ingredient treats retain the nutritional properties, texture, aroma, and flavor of raw chicken, but a delicate freeze-drying process makes them safer to handle and store. Because they’re made from just one ingredient, these treats are perfect for cats with GI sensitivities, allergies, or who are on a restricted diet for any other reason.
Each treat is small enough to use for training and contains approximately 2 calories.
For cats who are sensitive to chicken, Purebites offers a selection of freeze-dried limited ingredient treats made from duck, turkey, ocean whitefish, and beef liver.
Ingredients
100% Pure USA Sourced & Made Human Grade Chicken Breast
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- 100% pure, human grade chicken
- A single-ingredient treat ideal for sensitive cats
- Rich in nutrients
Cons
- The treats tend to crumble in the bag
#7 Best For Kittens: Shameless Catnip N Chill Cat Treats
Shameless Pets cat treats are made with meat as the first ingredient. They’re loaded with flavor but low in calories and perfectly bite-sized for smaller mouths.
In addition to having meat as the first ingredient, these treats contain upcycled sweet potatoes. Shameless Pets “rescues” misfit and surplus produce for use in their recipes. They also prioritize working with North American suppliers and do everything they can to employ sustainable solutions.
One of our writers, Kate, tested Shameless Pets treats with her trio of feline friends, and they were a massive hit. All three were gathered around, meowing, before the bag was even open. One cat vomited about an hour after eating the treats once, but the issue didn’t recur and the other two tolerated them just fine.
Shameless Pets cat treats come in three flavors which you can purchase individually or in a variety pack. These include Catnip N Chill, Yam Good Salmon, and More Lobster, Cheese. The catnip flavor was noticeably the favorite among our test cats.
Ingredients
Chicken, Sweet Potato, Brown Rice, Tapioca, Brewers Dried Yeast, Miscanthus Grass, Chicken Fat, Natural Flavor, Inulin, Catnip, Phosphoric Acid, Mixed Tocopherols, Dried Bacillus Coagulans Fermentation Product.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- Meat is always the first ingredient
- Sustainably made with upcycled produce
- Rich in flavor but low in calories
Cons
- Contains several plant ingredients
#8 Best Puree Treat: KittyUp Functional Puree Treat
If your cat has dental problems that make crunchy treats an issue, these puree treats from KittyUp might be a good option. They’re soft and lickable and full of tuna flavor.
KittyUp treats are described as “functional” which simply means that they contain high-quality ingredients that benefit your cat’s physical and mental health. In addition to fresh tuna, these puree treats contain carrots, broccoli, green tea, and essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
These treats are supplemented with taurine, an essential amino acid for cats, and L-lysine which provides immune support. Green tea is packed with antioxidants and biotin may provide support for your cat’s skin and coat. The high-moisture formula also supports your cat’s hydration.
Because they come in ½ ounce pouches, there are a few different ways to offer this treat. You can simply squeeze it into your cat’s bowl or tear it open and feed it to your cat as an interactive treat.
As a bonus, KittyUp is a business owned and operated by women. They partner with Stray Cat Alliance, a Los Angeles-based non-profit that works to provide spay/neuter, trap-neuter-return (TNR), adoptions, wellness care, medical care, and community shelter support for local cats and kittens.
Ingredients
Water, Tuna, Omega-3 Fructooligosaccharide, Taurine, L-lysine, Carrot, Broccoli, Green Tea, Agar, Manganese Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Cupric Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Cobaltous Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin B1 Thiamine, Hydrochloride, Vitamin B6 Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Niacin, Biotin, Folic Acid, Vitamin C Supplement.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- Made with fresh tuna and whole food ingredients
- Enriched with taurine for physical and mental health
- Smooth puree texture is easy for cats to eat
- Completely free from fillers and artificial additives
Cons
- Somewhat pricey
- Contains a few added plant ingredients
#9 Best Calming Treats: VetriScience Composure Chicken Liver Flavor Soft Chews
Cats can suffer from anxiety just as much as people can. Changes to your cat’s environment or adjustments in his daily routine can cause your cat to become stressed.
While not intended as a replacement for veterinary treatment, calming cat treats may be able to help with the day-to-day management of your cat’s anxiety. They’re also perfect for occasional use in conjunction with stressful events like vet visits and thunderstorms.
Composure soft chews from VetriScience contain a trio of active ingredients designed to support a calming response in your cat’s body.
Thiamine (Vitamin B1) soothes the central nervous system while L-theanine boosts production of dopamine to help manage stress. These treats also contain a proprietary calming colostrum blend that contains calming bioproteins that work in conjunction with the other active ingredients to relieve stress.
Ingredients
Thiamine (Vitamin B1), C3 Tm (Colostrum Calming Complex), L-Theanine, Brewer’s Yeast, Canola Oil, Chicken Liver Flavor, Citric Acid, Glycerin, Mixed Tocopherols, Propionic Acid, Proprietary Blend (Maltodextrin, Sodium Alginate and Calcium Sulfate), Rosemary Extract, Silicon Dioxide, Soy Lecithin, Vegetable Oil.
Active Ingredients (Per 1 Chew)
- Thiamine (Vitamin B1): 67mg
- C3 (Colostrum Calming Complex): 11mg
- L-Theanine: 10.5mg
Guaranteed Analysis
Not Listed
Pros
- Made with three calming active ingredients
- Affordably priced
- Chewy treats can be broken into pieces
Cons
- Texture may be too hard for some cats
- Some cats dislike the flavor
#10 Best Catnip Treat: Meowijuana Crunchie Munchie Salmon Cat Treats
Cats go crazy for catnip. At least, most of them do. But dried catnip can make a mess and catnip-filled toys lose their appeal as the aroma of the catnip fades.
These crunchy catnip treats from Meowijuana are a great option if you’re looking for a simple, tasty way to incorporate catnip into your cat’s life. They’re packed with species-appropriate animal protein from chicken, salmon, and tuna and supplemented with chicken fat and pork fat for flavor and essential fatty acids.
These treats have a crunchy outer texture and a creamy catnip center. They do contain a few starchy plant ingredients like tapioca starch and barley flour, but the majority of the main ingredients are animal-based. They’re free from artificial additives like colors, flavors, and synthetic preservatives.
While many cats seem to really love these treats, some customers report that their cats showed no interest. Cats are notoriously picky eaters, so it’s not surprising that they’re not a universal hit.
Ingredients
Chicken Meal, Tapioca Starch, Barley Flour, Chicken Fat, Salmon Meal, Tuna Meal, Pork Fat, Dried Whey, Brewers Dried Yeast, Natural Pork Liver Flavor, Phosphoric Acid, Salt, Canola Lecithin, Dried Ground Catnip, Taurine, Ground Valerian Root, Mixed Tocopherols (preservative).
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- Crunchy shell with creamy catnip center
- Supplemented with taurine, an essential amino acid
- Several sources of animal-based protein
Cons
- Contains some starchy plant ingredients
- Some cats don’t seem interested in them
Making Homemade Cat Treats
Many commercial cat treats are packed with carbohydrates and unhealthy additives. They might taste good, but they probably aren’t doing your feline friend any favors in terms of nutrition.
If you want to indulge in your cat’s cravings without taking away from his everyday diet, you might consider making your own cat treats at home.
When it comes to making homemade cat food, you want to stick to a veterinarian-approved recipe to ensure your cat’s needs for balanced nutrition are met. Treats are treats, however. They aren’t intended to make up more than 10% of your cat’s daily diet, so they don’t need to be nutritionally balanced.
That being said, it’s a good idea to choose cat treats that are both good for your cat AND tasty.
Homemade cat treats can be made with a variety of ingredients, but we recommend sticking with meat or fish. These ingredients will be the most flavorful and attractive to your cat and your cat could always use a little extra protein in his diet.
Here’s a quick 5-step recipe for baked tuna treats:
- Empty one drained can of tuna (in water) into your blender.
- Beat one large egg white to stiff peaks then add two tablespoons of the beaten egg whites to the tuna.
- Blend into a smooth paste then drop small mounds of the mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Alternatively, spoon the mixture into a freezer bag and snip off the tip so you can pipe it onto the baking sheet.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes at 350°F until the treats are dry. Let cool before serving.
If you don’t have tuna on hand, you may be able to substitute canned salmon or even canned chicken. Don’t be afraid to add a little dried catnip for flavor as well!
Learn more about homemade diets for cats in our handy guide.
Relevant Content:
- The Complete Guide to Feline Nutrition
- The Best Dental Cat Treats
- The Truth About Grain-Free Diets for Cats
- The 7 Best Cat Treats For Kittens
*Veterinary review of this article includes only the medical information in this article. The veterinarian reviewing this article does not personally endorse, recommend, or vouch for the efficacy or claims of any product mentioned in this article.
Frequently Asked Questions
What foods are irresistible to cats?
When shopping for cat treats, look for ingredients your cat won’t be able to resist. This typically includes meaty ingredients like beef, poultry, or fish. Avoid cat treats full of carbohydrate additives and questionable ingredients like “natural flavor.”
Is it bad to give my cat treats every day?
There are no hard and fast rules for how often you can give your cat treats other than to say that treats should make up no more than 10% of your cat’s daily diet. If you’re training your cat or just like showering him with extra love, stick to small, low-calorie treats so you can feed a few extra.
What human food can I give my cat?
If you don’t have any healthy cat treats handy, there are certain human foods which can be safe for cats. Stick to carnivore-friendly foods like cooked chicken breast or oily fish like tuna and mackerel. Avoid fried or processed foods as well as dairy products, especially if your cat is lactose intolerant.
Mallory is fantastic at her job presenting the facts about kitty cat treats!! She has such a nice mannor about her with excellant confidence and knowledge.
Thanks for the kind words, Charlene. 🙂
Thank you for your reviews. My cat will not eat #6 Vital Cats all of a sudden. She loved the rabbit flavor but I noticed the pieces look bigger and more formed. As if they are less natural and more processed. I saw a comment on Reddit posted two months ago the recipes changed so the company can sell in other countries. Have you heard anything about this? I’m taking the packs back to the store for exchange.
Hi Brian! I’ve contacted Vital Essentials to get an answer and should receive a reply soon. Will let you know when I hear back!
Thank you Mallory. I spoke to the employee at the store and she said she has seen the shapes of the treats differ every so often. She does agree that the treats are more of a pellet shape now versus chunks. I was able to exchange them for a different brand. They had one called Shepherd Boy Farms and it is brand new to them. They are a freeze dried duck liver treat and my cat gets excited for them. I did find one of the Vital Essentials pellets in my cat tree and put it right next to the duck treat. My cat sniffed it and sort of exhaled like she was annoyed. If I see Vital Essentials go back to the chunks version, I will buy them again. I hope to find more novel protein treats for my cat like rabbit, duck, bison.
Very interesting. A rep from Vital Essentials said that the recipe has not changed, so I would assume that the shape is probably the issue deterring your cat, not the formulation. All the best!
Where’s the Fish ??
#6 Best Novelty Treat: Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Minnows Cat Treats Review
Ingredients:
Finely Ground Turkey With Bone, Turkey Heart, Turkey Liver, Turkey Gizzard, Raw Goat’s Milk, Turkey Egg, Water, Egg Shell Membrane, Herring Oil, Mixed Tocopherols, D-Alpha Tocopherol.
Is it all in the Herring?
Michelle, this was a mistake. This product is 100% fish; the ingredients are simply “minnows”. I’ve edited it! Thank you.
I make homemade baked treats for my cats. I buy canned tuna in water with no salt. I also get canned salmon and canned chicken, also in water with no salt. I drain the water and put it aside, then add one egg to the mix, blend it, and put it in my silicon molds that look like little fishies. Bake in the oven for 25 minutes. I take the water from the cans, put it in another mold, and freeze it. The cats love their “kitty popsicles,” especially in the summer when it’s hot.
Thanks for sharing, Victoria!