There is no denying that cats love treats, and you may have even discovered the particular flavor that drives your cat completely bonkers—so much so that they beg all the time. However, the health and well-being of your cat depends on vet-approved pet foods and your ability to establish healthy eating habits early on. So, if you offer treats, provide your cat with high-protein treats, or seek out vet recommended cat treats, and try to avoid human foods. For healthy cat treating, consider the following advice:
1. Don’t over-treat
Giving your cat treats may be your first instinct to stop bad behavior, but this will teach your kitty that they can get what they want by pleading with you. Furthermore, your cat’s behavior may become erratic if you feed them too many goodies. Treats also contain many calories, more so than cat food, which means increasing your cat’s treat intake will likely cause weight gain. Moreover, since treats lack the complete nutrition your cat needs and cat food is intended to be a balanced diet, over-treating may also have a detrimental impact on their overall nutrition, leading your cat to potentially develop chronic metabolic issues, like feline diabetes or feline obesity.
2. Opt for non-food treats
If you’re looking for a way to reduce your cat’s treat intake, but still want to pamper your pet, consider switching your typical food snacks with green ones. Fun options can include catnip and cat grass. On the other hand, if you still want to satiate your cat’s taste buds but want them to burn calories simultaneously, you can use a food toy, such as a puzzle toy, to incorporate treats into your cat’s lifestyle.
3. Ensure treats are high protein
Most cat owners know that cats require more protein than many other animals. This is because cats are carnivores that deconstruct dietary protein into amino acids, which they burn as fuel or energy. Because animal protein’s amino acid profile better satisfies a cat’s energy requirements compared to plant proteins, they must consume diets (and treats) high in animal protein. So look for treats that are mainly chicken, trout, sardines, or salmon—minus carbohydrate fillers.
4. Avoid or moderate human foods
You want to be sure that your cat is eating the right sort of foods to satisfy their nutritional requirements. As such, while you might occasionally be tempted to offer your cat leftovers and bites from your plate, it is important to remember that some foods might be hazardous to kitty’s health—leading to digestive upset, weight gain, and worse, pet toxicity. For example, cats should never be fed meat with bones or seasoning, grapes or raisins, chocolate, or dishes containing garlic or onions; all are toxic for felines.
You adore your cat and want it to enjoy a long, fulfilling life. When making the decision to indulge them, therefore, it is important to remember that eating too many cat treats can result in feline obesity, digestive issues like vomiting or diarrhea, feline diabetes, or cardiovascular issues. As such, keep these tips in mind when choosing treats for your cat.
