The 10 Best Cat Treats

#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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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