What Are Natural Cat Treats?
Natural cat treats are snacks or rewards consisting of high-quality, minimally processed ingredients without artificial additives or preservatives. These treats provide a healthier and more natural option for cats than treats with a long list of synthetic ingredients.
Some ingredients include real meat or fish, with no artificial additives. This article explores the seven best natural cat treats on the market. Stay with us.
How Many Treats to Give Cats
The number of treats to give your cat depends on several factors, including size, age, overall health, and the type of treats you offer. Here are some general guidelines to help you determine how much treats to give a cat:
Read the Label
Start by reading the feeding guidelines on the packaging of the cat treats you’re using. Most manufacturers recommend, on the package, the number of treats per day based on your cat’s weight.
Consider Treat Size
Pay attention to the size of the treats. Smaller treats may allow you to give your cat more without exceeding their daily caloric intake.
Caloric Content
Be aware of the caloric content of the treats. Treats are often more calorie-dense than regular cat food. You can ask your veterinarian for guidance on how many extra calories your cat can safely consume through snacks.
Balance With Regular Meals
Treats should only comprise a small portion of your cat’s daily caloric intake. Ideally, treats should not exceed 10% of your cat’s daily calories. This helps prevent excessive weight gain or dietary imbalances. Natural balance cat treats are ideal for your cat.
Training and Rewards
When using treats for training or behavior reinforcement, keep the snack size in mind. Smaller, lower-calorie treats can be more suitable for training purposes.
Dental Health
Some natural cat dental treats promote oral health. If using these treats, follow the recommended guidelines for that specific product.
Our Preferred Natural Cat Treat
Our top choice of natural treats for cats is the Wellness Crunchy Kittles Cat Treat Variety Pack . Wellness is popular for using quality ingredients, and these treats typically feature a limited ingredient list, which can benefit cats with sensitivities or allergies.
Other Natural Cat Treats We Tested
- Wellness Crunchy Kittles Cat Treat Variety Pack : Best overall
- Applaws Natural Cat Treats : Best high-quality
- Catit Senses 2.0 Grass Planter & Catit Senses 2.0 Cat Grass Kit : Best for digestion
- ORIJEN Freeze Dried Cat Treats : Best for cats with sensitivities
- The New Zealand Natural Pet Food Co : Best natural cat treats
- Cloud Star, Buddy Biscuits : Best value for money
- Greenies FELINE GREENIES Adult Natural Dental Care Cat Treats : Best for dental care
The Best Natural Cat Treats Reviewed
Wellness Crunchy Kittles Cat Treat Variety Pack : Best Overall
Amazon’s Choice in Cat Snacks by Wellness
Brand: Wellness
Flavor:
- Chicken & cranberries
- Salmon & cranberries
- Tuna & cranberries
- Duck & cranberries
Form: Grain
Age range: All life stages
General Description
The Wellness Crunchy Kittles Cat Treat Variety Pack satisfies your pet’s cravings while providing potential nutritional benefits. Adding this variety pack to your cat’s nutrition means offering them different flavors and textures, which can help keep them interested and excited about their treats.
Many cats enjoy the satisfying crunch of these treats, making them an appealing option for pets who prefer crunchy snacks. Wellness Crunchy Kittles often contain real meat as the primary ingredient, aligning with the natural dietary preferences of cats. These treats do not contain artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, which can be better for your cat’s health.
Applaws Natural Cat Treats : Best High-Quality
Brand: Applaws
Flavor: Chicken filet with rosemary
Form: Flake
Age range: All life stages
General Description
Applaws Natural Cat Treats are popular among cat owners seeking a high-quality, natural treat option.
Applaws all-natural cat treats are popular for using natural, high-quality ingredients. They often feature real meat or fish as the primary ingredient, which aligns with a cat’s natural dietary preferences as an obligate carnivore.
These treats typically have a limited ingredient list, which can help cats with food sensitivities or allergies. The simplicity of ingredients makes it easier for pet owners to understand what they’re feeding their cats. They do not contain artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
Catit Senses 2.0 Grass Planter & Catit Senses 2.0 Cat Grass Kit : Best for Digestion
Amazon’s Choice in Grass Seed by Catit
Brand: Catit
Form: Vermiculite and seeds
Age range: All life stages
General Description
The Catit Senses 2.0 Grass Planter and Catit Senses 2.0 Cat Grass Kit are popular accessories for cat owners who want to provide their cats with fresh, healthy cat grass.
This planter allows cats to engage in their natural hunting behavior, which can aid in digestion and help prevent hairballs. The grass planter is stable, reducing the chances of your cat knocking it over.
It’s simple to set up and maintain. Just plant the included cat grass seeds and watch them grow. The planter helps contain the grass, preventing it from spreading throughout your home.
ORIJEN Freeze Dried Cat Treats : Best for Cats With Sensitivities
Amazon’s Choice in Cat Snacks by ORIJEN
Brand: ORIJEN
Flavor: Seafood, beef, pork, lamb
Form: Raw, frozen
Age range: All life stages
General Description
ORIJEN Freeze-Dried Cat Treats are some of the best and most highly valued among cat owners for their quality ingredients and nutritional value.
ORIJEN is famous for using top-tier ingredients. These treats often feature real meat or fish as the primary ingredient, mirroring the natural diet of cats as obligate carnivores.
These treats have few ingredients, which benefits cats with food sensitivities or allergies. This simplicity makes it easy for pet owners to understand what they’re feeding their cats.
The New Zealand Natural Pet Food Co : Best Natural Cat Treats
Brand: The New Zealand Natural Pet Food Co.
Flavor: Chicken & king salmon
Form: Chunk
Age range: All life stages
General Description
The New Zealand Natural Pet Food Co is a pet food manufacturer based in New Zealand that specializes in making high-quality, natural pet food products for dogs and cats.
They provide various cat food options, including dry kibble, wet food, and freeze-dried cat treats. These products also prioritize real meat or fish as the main component, reflecting cats’ natural dietary preferences. The products are grain-free and suitable for pets with grain sensitivities.
Cloud Star, Buddy Biscuits : Best Value for Money
Brand: Cloud Star
Flavor: Tempting tuna
Form: Chunk
Age range: All life stages
General Description
Cloud Star Buddy Biscuits consist of real tuna. It is free from corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, and colors. It also contains top-quality meats and vegetables, grain-free with no additional gluten.
Greenies FELINE GREENIES Adult Natural Dental Care Cat Treats : Best for Dental Care
Amazon’s Choice in Crunchy Cat Treats by Greenies
Brand: Greenies
Flavor: Catnip
Form: Chunk
Age range: Adult
General Description
This convenient pouch consists of Feline Greenies Crunchy Dental Treats in Catnip Flavor.
The crunchy texture aids teeth cleaning, tartar reduction, and breath freshening. These are the top vet-recommended dental treats for cats.
They have natural ingredients enriched with vitamins, minerals, and essential nutrients, making them nutritionally complete and balanced for adult cats.
These delightful natural cat treats, enhanced with vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, contain no artificial flavors or preservatives and provide less than two calories per treat.
FAQs on Natural Cat Treats
When to Give Cats Treats
- Training and reward: You can treat cats as a reward during training sessions. When your cat successfully performs a desired behavior, such as using the litter box or obeying a command, offer a treat as positive reinforcement.
- Bonding and affection: Giving treats during bonding moments can strengthen your relationship with your cat. Offer treats when cuddling, grooming, or simply spending quality time together.
- Exercise and play: Encourage exercise by using treats to motivate interactive play. You can toss treats for your cat to chase or use treat-dispensing toys to engage their hunting instincts.
- Medical administration: If your cat requires medication, hiding pills or liquid medicine in a snack can make the process easier. Consult with your veterinarian to ensure the chosen treat suits this purpose.
What Makes Cats Treats Natural?
- Ingredients: Natural cat treats come from high-quality, minimally processed ingredients. Look for treats that list real meat, poultry, or fish as the primary ingredient. Avoid treats with artificial additives, preservatives, and fillers.
- Limited additives: Natural treats have a limited number of ingredients, often without artificial colors or flavors. They are free from chemicals that can be harmful to cats.
- Grain-free: Many natural cat treats are grain-free, as cats are naturally carnivores, and their digestive systems are better suited to meat-based diets.
- No by-products: High-quality natural treats avoid by-products, often low-quality and less nutritious parts of animals.
- Minimal processing: These treats undergo minimal processing to preserve the ingredients’ natural flavor and nutritional value.
- Transparency: Reputable brands of natural cat treats provide transparency about their sourcing and production processes, ensuring you know where the ingredients come from and how they make them.
- Nutritional value: Natural treats should still offer dietary benefits. Some may even contain added vitamins or minerals to enhance your cat’s health.
Final Words
The Wellness Crunchy Kittles Cat Treat Variety Pack is a quality option for cat owners who want to provide their pets with various tasty and potentially nutritious treats. However, as with any treat, it’s crucial to use them in moderation and consider your cat’s specific dietary needs.
When selecting cat treats, it’s essential to consider your cat’s specific nutritional requirements and consult with your vet if you have any concerns about the ingredients or the frequency of treat-giving to ensure it aligns with your cat’s overall health and well-being.
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