If you live with a cat at home, surely you have in mind to offer him, more or less frequently, a prize because he behaves great, knows how to do some trick or, simply, is adorable. But the truth is that there are so many options that it becomes difficult to choose the best.
In this article on our site we are going to review what are the best treats for cats of any age or condition. We'll also remember that treats don't always have to be edible, so read on to find out how else you can treat your cat.
How to choose the best prize for a cat?
In our review of which are the best treats for cats, we start with all those edible products intended for occasional consumption or, albeit daily, in small quantities. In other words, they work as a supplement to the diet. For a good choice follow these recommendations:
- Read the tag. Pay attention to the list of ingredients, but also to the small print, that is, look at what recommendations for use and administration the manufacturer offers. In this way we make sure that it is a suitable prize for our cat.
- Look for naturalness, that is, for the composition to be "normal". By this we mean that the ingredients have to be few and recognizable. For example, chicken, tuna, turkey, etc. Avoid long lists and avoid additives.
- Never opt for ingredients like sugar. Cats have no need to introduce it in their diet, on the contrary.
- Be careful with milk. Not all cats tolerate it and can suffer from digestive disorders.
- Rewards should never exceed 10% of the amount of calories the cat should consume per day. Otherwise we would be promoting weight gain.
- Finally, you usually have to try several to find the treat that drives your cat crazy. Buy small formats, at least until you discover which one is your favorite. This way you avoid spoiling it or having to throw it away.
The best treats for cats
After reviewing the general recommendations for choosing the best treat for your cat, let's see below which are the most recommended treats within the wide variety that exists:
Cat Cookies
We start with what are perhaps the best known edible prizes, the so-called cookies or snacks, which are small in size and have a hard consistency, in general, since we can find for sale options with a creamy filling, while the exterior is more or less crunchy.
There are a lot of varieties for cats of all kinds, as well as different flavors. This versatility makes them an essential option to consider if you are looking for the best treats for cats. This type of format, being small in size, is usually easily ingested by cats and is used both to give them a prize from time to time and for training. Yes, some cats manage to learn different tricks and the treats will work as a stimulus and positive reinforcement that will encourage them to repeat the rewarded behaviour. For more details, do not miss this article on How to train a cat.
These awards are easy to store and generally keep in good condition for long periods of time. If you prefer, you can also make a homemade version with the recipe we share in this video:
Cat bars
Another of the outstanding edible prizes are the so-called bars or sticks. They are usually marketed in small or easily fragmentable portions. They are also simple to consume and easy to maintain. The consistency is variable, so we can find harder or more flexible bars Like cookies, there are different flavors and varieties to adapt to all kinds of cats. We include them in the review of the best prizes for cats, moreover, because they are also used for specific prizes or for learning sessions.
Cat Pasta
This item includes those edible treats that have a fundamental difference with cookies and bars, which is their soft consistencyPasta, creams or even sauces are included at this point. In the first case, the m alt pastes stand out. Perhaps not all the keepers mentioned them when listing the best prizes for cats, since it is they offer the kitten more as a medicine to favor a correct digestive transit than as a prize. But the truth is that they could perfectly cover the reward function by fulfilling the basic requirement of the prizes, which is that the cat likes it. Obviously, if the cat doesn't want it, we can't consider it a prize.
These pastas are found in different varieties and flavors. They are given to the cat directly by putting a small amount on our finger or deposited on one of its front paws so that the cat ingests it by licking itself. Although they can be used as a punctual reward or for learning, it may be more complicated to offer the pasta at those times.
On the other hand, creams, which also come in different varieties, can be given in the same way as pasta or put a small amount directly into the feeder. Finally, sauces also offer a smooth consistency, but they are usually used more to moisten dry food, adding them on top. In that case, it would be a prize more geared towards offering a special meal.
Special Cat Treats
In this list of the best treats for cats, we must take into account such important information as the consistency or the method of administration of the chosen product. It is about the characteristics of the cat itself. Thus, we can find varieties depending on their age, such as prizes for baby cats or for senior or elderly cats.
There are also prizes for cats with he alth problems, for example, for those with diseases that affect the urinary or gastrointestinal system, obesity, poor coat appearance, stress, oral problems, etc. Keep in mind that these types of prizes are not medicines, they will not cure the cat no matter how much you give them. In these cases, always follow the recommendations of the veterinarian.
Other cat treats
Reviewed which are the best treats for cats, we end by pointing out other types of rewards that do not necessarily have to be edible. For example, you can reward your cat with the following:
- Catnip or catnip: the favorite plant of many cats can be kept in the house and offered as a treat. There are seeds for sale to plant, but it is also possible to choose toys with this aroma that, literally, are capable of driving our cat crazy. Discover the properties of catnip in this article.
- Games: not only with catnip toys, any object is a potential toy for our cat. Paper balls or cardboard boxes are used for what will matter most to our cat, that is, that we have a good time with him. In addition, this way we contribute to keep it in shape. In this other article we share 10 games to entertain your cat.
- Massages: for pampering specimens, a few minutes of relaxing caresses can be an excellent prize that, in addition, will strengthen our bond with him, especially if we choose a time when the cat is receptive, we caress his appeasement zones and stop as soon as he shows signs of concern. Learn all these details in How to pet a cat.
