The 6 Best (aka Healthiest) Cat Treats Available in 2023

Are cat treats worth it?

Isn’t there something fulfilling about watching your cat hop around, pupils dilated, paws flailing, maybe drooling slightly – as you withhold the treat for just a moment longer?

For me, it’s those moments of anticipation that make giving treats to my cat so much fun.

If you love sharing treats with your cat as much as I do, you know that treat time is a great opportunity to connect with your cat. Whether you use them as a tool during training or offer them as an impromptu snack during the day, treats can make life better.

Just like human treats, there’s a wide range of options available for cats – you’re free to choose between true “junk” treats and those that are great for your cat’s health, but the options presented here are our choice for the healthiest cat treats available.

What are the healthiest cat treats?

  1. JustCats Salmon Bark Low-Fat Cat Treats
  2. PureBites Chicken Breast Freeze-Dried Cat Treats
  3. Orijen Original Poultry & Monkfish Freeze-Dried Cat Treats
  4. Cat-Man-Doo Extra Large Dried Bonito Flakes Cat & Dog Treats
  5. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Formula Crunchy Grain-Free Cat Treats
  6. Buddy Biscuits Grain-Free with Tender Chicken Cat Treats

Treats can be used…

  • As positive reinforcement. Since cats are so strongly motivated by food, a treat is often the perfect form of positive reinforcement for desired behaviors. If you want to tell your cat that you approve of their behavior, a treat is the perfect way to send a message when they jump off of the counter or use a scratching post instead of the couch.
  • As a motivator and reward during training. Treats are an essential component of training your cat to come when called, sit, shake paws, or walk on a leash.
  • To entice your cat out of hiding. While sometimes it’s best to allow your cat to have their space, treats can help to lure them out. Similarly, even if your cat doesn’t always come to the sound of their name, they’ll usually come running whenever they hear the treat bag shaking.
  • To disguise medications.
  • To distract your cat during grooming and other uncomfortable situations. If your cat dislikes being brushed, having their ears cleaned, or getting their claws trimmed, treats can help to distract them from what’s going on.
ALSO READ:  Organic Cat Food: Is it really Organic?

To help you select the right treats for your cat, I’ve sketched out a picture of the ideal treat. After identifying the characteristics of a great cat treat, take a look at my picks for the top 5 healthy cat treats for your feline friend.

Chewy Online Pet Supplies


35% Off + Free Shipping

on Cat Treats

Shop Now

What defines a great cat treat?

Above all else, cat treats have to be delicious. If it’s not exciting, it’s not worth it!

Besides being tantalizing, a great treat must be nutritious. The best treats are the ones that don’t just make your cat’s day more fun – they’re good for them.

So how do we choose healthy treats?

Whether your cat prefers freeze-dried raw treats, soft baked treats, or crunchy ones, the same rule applies: simple is best. Cats are carnivores and don’t need long ingredient lists to stay healthy.

We’re looking for minimal processing and maximum nutrition. Ideally, you should choose high-protein treats with no added sugar, grains, or artificial ingredients.

But for a treat to make it onto our top 5 list, it has to check more boxes than just simplicity and appetite appeal.

This list of the top five best cat treats will only include treats made with high-quality ingredients. They’re all proven cat-pleasers that are at once palatable, super nutritious, and easy to feed. It’s also important that these treats are low-calorie, so that you can feed them daily without worrying about your cat’s weight.

Because all cats have different preferences, I’ve included treats from the following three categories: raw, crunchy, and soft.

Our Picks : Best Cat Treats Available In 2023

Treat Price Quality Rating
JustCats Salmon Bark Low-Fat Cat TreatsJustCats Salmon Bark Low-Fat Cat Treats
Read Reviews Next ArticleWhere To Buy Next Article
$2.59/oz A+ 5 stars
PureBites Chicken Breast Freeze-Dried Cat TreatsPureBites Chicken Breast Freeze-Dried Cat Treats
Read Reviews Next ArticleWhere To Buy Next Article
$3.70/oz A+ 5 stars
Orijen Original Poultry & Monkfish Freeze-Dried Cat TreatsOrijen Original Poultry & Monkfish Freeze-Dried Cat Treats
Read Reviews Next ArticleWhere To Buy Next Article
$5.19/oz A+ 5 stars
Cat-Man-Doo Extra Large Dried Bonito Flakes Cat & Dog TreatsCat-Man-Doo Extra Large Dried Bonito Flakes Cat & Dog Treats
Read Reviews Next ArticleWhere To Buy Next Article
$4.32/oz A 5 stars
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Formula Crunchy Grain-Free Cat TreatsBlue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Formula Crunchy Grain-Free Cat Treats
Read Reviews Next ArticleWhere To Buy Next Article
$1.15/oz A- 4.5 stars
Buddy Biscuits Grain-Free with Tender Chicken Cat TreatsBuddy Biscuits Grain-Free with Tender Chicken Cat Treats
Read Reviews Next ArticleWhere To Buy Next Article
$1.05/oz B+ 4 stars
ALSO READ:  Merrick Cat Food Review

Just Food for Cats Salmon Bark Low-Fat Cat Treat

Just Food for Cats Treats

If you’re looking for healthy then you can’t do much better than salmon!

These hand-made salmon bites are perfect for cat owners looking for a low-fat, allergy-free treat that will make your cuddle buddy come running. It contains real ingredients (salmon and yuca root) and nothing else! Healthy and delicious…just what you’re looking for.

Pros

  • Cooked in open kitchens
  • No feed-grade ingredients
  • No preservatives
  • 100% Made in the USA
  • Hypoallergenic
  • Low Fat

Cons

  • Some cats might not like flakes/crisps compared to soft treats

PureBites Chicken Breast Freeze-Dried Cat Treat Review

For the purist – these are simply morsels of freeze-dried raw chicken breast.

For an obligate carnivore like your cat, there are few things better than raw meat. The freeze-drying process simply dehydrates the meat, leaving the texture, structure, and nutritional properties of the chicken intact.

Pros

  • 100% pure, human grade chicken
  • Each treat contains less than 3 calories
  • Reflects your cat’s natural diet
  • Made in the USA
  • No corn, soy, or wheat
  • No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives

Cons

  • Over time, these treats can crumble in the bag

Orijen Original Poultry & Monkfish Freeze-Dried Cat Treat Review

Cats love these carefully-sourced raw treats.

Here’s another freeze-dried raw treat that appeals to your cat’s carnivorous nature. These treats are made from a combination of chicken, turkey, and wild-caught monkfish.

Pros

  • No corn, soy, or wheat
  • Made in the USA
  • No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
  • Minimally processed freeze-dried raw food

Cons

Contains fish, which is not a part of your cat’s natural diet

Cat-Man-Doo Extra Large Dried Bonito Flakes Cat & Dog Treat Review

Highly appetizing dried fish flakes that can double as a food topper.

Bonito flakes are super-appetizing (and healthy) dried fish flakes. These hearty flakes are high in protein, low in fat, and offer beneficial fish oil. Because cats love the smell and taste so much, these flakes are often used as an appetite stimulant and food topper.

Pros

  • Cats tend to go nuts over these!
  • Single-source protein – just one ingredient
  • No corn, wheat, or soy
  • No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
  • Doubles as a great food topper and appetite stimulant
ALSO READ:  How Much Food Should I Feed My Cat?

Cons

  • Fragile – these flakes are easily crumbled
  • Fish isn’t a natural part of your cat’s diet

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Formula Crunchy Grain-Free Cat Treat Review

For the the cat who likes to crunch.

For cats who like healthy crunchy treats, these real chicken cat treats are a good option. These treats feature real chicken as the first in a short list of natural ingredients. As they’re grain free with no corn, soy, or wheat, these treats are perfect for cats with allergies.

Pros

  • Real chicken is the first ingredient
  • High protein content reflects your cat’s dietary needs
  • No corn, soy, or wheat
  • No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
  • Only 1.3 calories per treat
  • Made in the USA

Cons

  • Contains starches – not carbohydrate-free

Buddy Biscuits Grain-Free with Tender Chicken Cat Treat Review

These small, tender cat treats are the perfect size for kittens and adult cats alike.

These are pea-sized soft treats made with zero grain, gluten, or artificial ingredients. Because they’re so small and soft, they’re perfect for kittens and cats who have difficulty chewing.

Pros

  • Made with real premium chicken
  • No corn, soy, or wheat
  • No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
  • Soft texture is great for cats who have difficulty chewing
  • Made in the USA

Cons

  • Contains starches – not carbohydrate-free

Treats are a great addition to your cat’s life.

Any treat can make life more fun.

Taking a moment to give your cat a treat they love is a way to bond with your cat anytime. We can use treats to communicate with our cats during training and as a reward for good behavior. Treats help us to distract, calm, and generally help improve our cat’s lives.

But not all treats are created equal; and certainly not every treat is a healthy choice for your cat.

In this article, we’ve taken a look at some of the best treats in a variety of different categories: raw, crunchy, and soft – and identified what makes them a great addition to your cat’s diet.

Ultimately, it’s all about finding a treat that lights up your cat – one that absolutely thrills them every time they hear the sound of the bag shaking. Hopefully, this article has brought you closer to finding a nutritious treat that your cat will go nuts over.

Once you’ve nailed down your choice of treats consider rounding out a top-notch diet for your cats with our suggestions for the best cat food of 2023.

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *