What Are Cat Treats Made Of?

The best cat treats have meat or fish as the top ingredient.

However, different cat treats contain different ingredients.

It’s important to always check the ingredients lists as some commercial cat treats contain high levels of filler ingredients such as grain. 

It’s best to go for treats that are made mostly from meat or fish as these are often healthier, higher-quality options.

Try to choose treats that are made from natural ingredients and, if possible, go for the ones that contain 100% chicken breast/ liver/ fish. This way you know exactly what your cat is eating. 

The Best Cat Treats

Meat treats are the best option as meat is a natural part of a cats diet.

The meat should be cooked and the treats should not have added preservatives, salt or artificial colouring. 

Many popular crunchy cat treats contain high levels of carbohydrates and low levels of meat to achieve the crunchy texture.

This might be good for the texture but is not good for your cat. A treat that has a high carbohydrate content is not ideal and should only be given in moderation.

Look At The Labels

The label of a commercial cat treat will show you the ingredients, the recommended serving size and the nutritional value of the treats.

This information is extremely important and you should always check it before buying cat treats. 

It is also important to look at the label to ensure that your cat treats have not expired so your cat doesn’t get ill.

Understanding The Ingredients List

If the ingredients list of the cat treats is long and confusing it’s a sign you should choose an alternative option.

The ingredients within the treat need to be recognizable to you.

Don’t assume cat treats are all made to the same standard.

There is such a huge variety of brands, flavours, textures and types of treats available and unfortunately, they are not all good. 

Some treats may smell and taste good to your cat but they are packed full of artificial ingredients and fillers meaning that they are actually unhealthy.

It’s best to buy higher-quality treats or make your own cat treats at home. 

Ingredients to avoid:

• Additives
• Artificial preservatives
• Artificial dyes and flavours
• Grains (often used as fillers in pet food and treats)
• Salt and sodium

Treats that contain artificial ingredients are low quality and are not good for your cat.

Avoid them where possible and choose an alternative option. 

Good Ingredients

There are some good ingredients too that have been included in treats to help your cat e.g. Omega 3 fatty acids.

A great example is keeping a look out for treats that contain supplements such as Omega 3 fatty acids, Type II collagen, MSM, curcumin, glucosamine or chondroitin sulfate if you have an older cat.

These are all supplements that can help with aches and pains such as joint inflammation and arthritis.

Be Aware Of Allergies 

If your cat has allergies look for hypoallergenic treats.

Food allergies can involve ingredients such as dairy, beef and fish.

If a cat eats something they are allergic to it can result in skin problems, gastrointestinal issues, runny eyes, vomiting and diarrhoea. 

Avoid Cat Treats With A High Fat Content

Some cat treats have a very high fat content which can cause intestinal upsets including vomiting or diarrhoea.

The fat content will be included on the nutritional information so try to go for lower-fat options that ideally have less than 30 grams of fat per 1000kcal.

A good cat treat offers high protein, low fat and low carbohydrates. 

Homemade Treats

Finding good quality cat treats can be a headache if you don’t know what you are looking for.

It is surprisingly easy to make cat treats at home, you can make them with just a few ingredients and they take around 30 minutes to make from start to finish.

This is a really simple way of giving your cat something different while having full control over the ingredients.

Moderation is Key

No matter how high quality and packed with goodness the treats are, moderation is essential.

Too many cat treats is problematic for many reasons. It’s also important not to offer treats in place of your cat’s usual food.