Cat treats are an essential tool for bonding, training, and showing your feline friend some love. Whether you're rewarding good behavior, training new tricks, or simply spoiling your cat, choosing the right treats is important. The best cat treats are not only delicious but also provide nutritional value and are appropriate for your cat's dietary needs.
In this comprehensive guide, we've researched and compared the best cat treats available on Amazon. We've evaluated each product based on ingredients, nutritional value, palatability, and value. All products reviewed here include direct Amazon purchase links with our affiliate tag.
Quick Answer: Our Top Picks
If you're in a hurry, here are our top recommendations:
- Best Overall: Greenies Cat Treats - Low calorie, natural ingredients, cats love them
- Best Training: Small Training Treats - Tiny size, high value, perfect for training
- Best Natural: Natural Cat Treats - All-natural ingredients, no artificial additives
- Best Budget: Budget-Friendly Treats - Good value, quality ingredients
What to Look For in Cat Treats
When choosing cat treats, consider these important factors:
Calorie Content
Treats should be low in calories to avoid contributing to weight gain. Look for treats with 2-5 calories per piece, and remember that treats should make up no more than 10% of your cat's daily caloric intake.
Ingredients
Choose treats with real meat or fish as the first ingredient. Avoid treats with excessive fillers, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Natural ingredients are always preferable.
Size
For training, small treats are ideal as they allow for frequent rewards without overfeeding. For occasional treats, larger sizes are fine, but be mindful of portion control.
Texture
Consider your cat's preferences—some cats prefer crunchy treats, while others prefer soft or chewy options. Senior cats may need softer treats if they have dental issues.
Product Comparison Table
| Product | Calories | Type | Best For | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenies | 1.3 per treat | Crunchy | All-around use | $$ |
| Training Treats | 1-2 per treat | Soft/Crunchy | Training | $$ |
| Natural Treats | 2-4 per treat | Various | Natural option | $$ |
| Budget Option | 2-5 per treat | Various | Value | $ |
Detailed Product Reviews
1. Greenies Cat Treats - Best Overall
Greenies Cat Treats are one of the most popular and trusted treat options. These crunchy treats contain only 1.3 calories each, making them perfect for frequent rewards without worrying about weight gain.
Made with natural ingredients including real chicken, salmon, or tuna, Greenies are highly palatable and most cats love them. They're available in various flavors and sizes, including dental treats that help clean teeth.
Greenies are suitable for cats of all ages and are particularly useful for training due to their small size and low calorie content. The crunchy texture helps with dental health while providing a satisfying treat.
Key Features: Low calorie (1.3 each), natural ingredients, multiple flavors, dental benefits, highly palatable
2. Small Training Treats - Best Training
Training treats are specifically designed to be small, low-calorie, and high-value rewards perfect for teaching your cat new behaviors. These tiny treats allow for frequent rewards during training sessions without overfeeding.
Training treats are typically soft or semi-soft, making them easy to break into smaller pieces if needed. They're highly palatable to ensure your cat is motivated to work for them.
These treats are ideal for clicker training, teaching tricks, or reinforcing positive behaviors. Their small size means you can give many rewards during a training session while staying within calorie limits.
Key Features: Tiny size, low calorie, high value, soft texture, training-focused
3. Natural Cat Treats - Best Natural
Natural cat treats use simple, wholesome ingredients without artificial additives. These treats typically feature real meat or fish as the primary ingredient and avoid artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
Natural treats come in various forms including freeze-dried, dehydrated, or baked options. They provide a clean ingredient list that many pet owners prefer for their cats.
These treats are particularly suitable for cats with sensitivities or owners who prefer minimal processing. They often contain single protein sources, making them easier to identify potential allergens.
Key Features: All-natural ingredients, no artificial additives, simple ingredient lists, various forms, clean nutrition
4. Budget-Friendly Cat Treats - Best Value
There are several affordable cat treat options that still provide quality nutrition and high palatability. These treats offer good value, especially for multi-cat households or frequent treat givers.
Budget treats typically come in larger packages, reducing the per-treat cost. They still use quality ingredients and provide the same enjoyment for your cat as more expensive options.
When choosing budget treats, ensure they still have real meat or fish as primary ingredients and avoid those with excessive fillers. Even affordable treats should provide nutritional value.
Key Features: Affordable, good value, bulk options, quality ingredients, economical
Final Verdict
Greenies Cat Treats are our top choice for most cats, offering the perfect combination of low calories, natural ingredients, and high palatability. Training treats are essential for teaching new behaviors, while natural options appeal to owners who prefer minimal processing. Budget treats provide good value for frequent use.
Remember to use treats in moderation—they should make up no more than 10% of your cat's daily caloric intake. Always account for treat calories when calculating your cat's daily food portions to maintain a healthy weight.