Last Updated on January 2, 2024 by Fumipets
10 Best Kitten Treats: A Guide to Delightful Snacks for Your Feline Friend
For every cat owner, the joy of watching their little feline friend relish a tasty treat is unparalleled. When it comes to kittens, treats are not just about indulgence; they’re also a crucial part of their growth and development.
Kitten treats come in various flavors and forms, designed to cater to their nutritional needs while satisfying their taste buds. These treats can aid in training, reinforce good behavior, and serve as a tool for bonding. However, it’s essential to choose the right treats to ensure they are safe and beneficial for your kitten’s health. Let’s explore the world of kitten treats and learn how to make treat time both enjoyable and healthy for your tiny companions.
Kitten Treats
It might be challenging to know what to buy when shopping for kitten snacks because there are so many different brands and varieties available. To help you know what you’re buying, we’ve analyzed 10 different nutritious snacks for your kitty. While you shop, we’ll also provide you with a checklist of things to look for when purchasing your cat treats. You’ll have the assurance you need to buy goodies for your kitty after reading these evaluations.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2022
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
BEST OVERALL |
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Blue Buffalo Cravings Kitty Treats | All-natural ingredients No corn, wheat, or soy No preservatives or dyes | Check Price |
BEST VALUE |
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Whole Life Freeze-Dried Cat Treats | High-protein The freeze-drying process retains the nutritional value Single-ingredient | Check Price |
PREMIUM CHOICE |
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Cat-Man-Doo Dried Bonito Cat Flakes | Single-ingredient Contains taurine No preservatives | Check Price |
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Hartz Delectables Kitten Treat | Portable pouches Fish is the top ingredient | Check Price | |
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Meow Mix Salmon Cat Treats | Resealable packages Soft treats | Check Price |
The 10 Best Kitten Treats
1. Blue Buffalo Kitty Cravings Chicken Cat Food – Best Overall
| Protein Content: | 23% |
| Natural Ingredients: | Yes |
| Feature: | Corn, wheat, and soy-free |
Take a look at Blue Buffalo Kitty Cravings for a holistic, natural pleasure. These cat snacks are free of artificial colours and preservatives. They have no maize, wheat, or soy and just chicken, rice, barley, oats, and peas as its list of ingredients. These characteristics are what make it our top choice for cat treats overall.
The flavor of these treats is the only true gripe, since not all cats enjoy them.
Pros
- All-natural ingredients
- No corn, wheat, or soy
- No preservatives or dyes
- High protein
Cons
- Not all cats like the flavor
2. Whole Life Just One Ingredient Chicken Cat Treats – Best Value
| Protein Content: | 80% |
| Natural Ingredients: | Yes |
| Feature: | Low in fat |
As the most economical kitten snacks, we selected Whole Life Just One Ingredient freeze-dried cat treats. Freeze-dried chicken is the sole ingredient in these delights. As a result, the protein content—at 80%—is very high.
The drawback of these Whole Life snacks—or any other freeze-dried snack—is that they are difficult to split into manageable bits. They become powder as they crumble and are difficult to feed.
Pros
- High-protein
- Single-ingredient
- The freeze-drying process retains the nutritional value
Cons
- Crumble into powder
- Large pieces
3. Cat-Man-Doo Dried Bonito Flakes Cat Food – Premium Choice
| Protein Content: | 76% |
| Natural Ingredients: | No preservatives |
| Feature: | Low in calories |
Japanese fish is the sole and primary component in Cat-Man-Doo Bonito Flakes. They are loaded with protein and include taurine to enhance the health of your kitty. They are low in calories and devoid of preservatives, so you can feel good about what you’re feeding your family.
The biggest downside of Cat-Man-Doo is how it treats smell. They have a “fishy” odor, which lingers after you touch them and gets on your hands. Your cats will search obstinately for the goodie if you don’t wash your hands.
Pros
- Single-ingredient
- Contains taurine
- No preservatives
- Low calorie
Cons
- Thin
- The smell is very strong
4. Hartz Delectables Bisque Tuna & Chicken Kitten Treat
| Protein Content: | 21% |
| Natural Ingredients: | No |
| Feature: | Corn, wheat, and soy-free |
Hartz Delectables Bisque Lickable treats have Salmon, cod, shrimp, and tuna meal as the primary components in kitten snacks. They come in compact, single-serving pouches so you can take them anywhere and are free of ingredients that can disturb your kitten’s sensitive stomach.
Some cats may not enjoy the flavor or texture of Hartz Delectables, which is a drawback. Although they are designed to be exceptionally creamy for little kittens, some people don’t like them.
Pros
- Portable pouches
- Fish is the top ingredient
Cons
- Not all kittens like the texture
5. Meow Mix Irresistibles Soft Salmon Cat Treats
| Protein Content: | 20% |
| Natural Ingredients: | No |
| Feature: | Soft treats |
Cat snacks from Meow Mix Irresistibles have a crude protein value of just 20%. Although it ranks far lower than the other delights on our list, this is still a respectable treat. These snacks primarily consist of chicken and fish. They come in a convenient, resealable packaging to preserve freshness, and they are soft for simple chewing.
The food and treats in Meow Mix include the chemical preservative BHA. Although it is regarded as safe in moderation, you might not want to give it to your kitten. Additionally, this treat has some synthetic coloring, which some cats may be allergic to.
Pros
- Resealable packages
- Soft treats
Cons
- Contains BHA
- Contains artificial coloring
6. Get Naked Kitten Health Grain-free Soft Cat Treats
| Protein Content: | 18% |
| Natural Ingredients: | Yes |
| Feature: | Added taurine and omega fatty acids |
Omega fats are added to Get Naked Kitten snacks to promote healthy skin and coats. Additionally, they include taurine, and with only three calories per treat, you won’t need to be concerned about giving your kitty too many calories.
Since these treats only contain 18% protein, you’ll need to make sure you’re also giving your pet protein from other sources.
Pros
- Fortified with taurine and omega fats
- Only three calories per treat
- Corn, wheat, and soy-free
Cons
- Low protein content
7. Blue Buffalo Bursts with Savory Seafood Cat Treats
| Protein Content: | 21% |
| Natural Ingredients: | Yes |
| Feature: | Crunchy outside, soft inside; comes in portable pouches |
Blue Buffalo Bursts Cat Treats mostly comprise salmon, but they also include cod and shrimp. To support the health of the eyes and skin, taurine and omega fats have been included. Kittens adore soft inside and crunchy exteriors. These sweets come in compact packaging that makes them simple to take with you.
It was sad to see so many broken pieces in the bag of these cat treats. Additionally, there’s a possibility that your kitty won’t enjoy the flavor.
Pros
- Salmon is the top ingredient
- Contains taurine
- Crunchy outside with the soft inside
- Portable pouches
Cons
- Not all cats like them
- Broken pieces in the bag
8. PureBites Freeze-Dried Natural Chicken Breast Cat Treats
| Protein Content: | 74% |
| Natural Ingredients: | Yes |
| Feature: | Freeze-dried raw food |
The PureBites Freeze-Dried Natural Chicken Breast Cat Treats offer cat owners a raw food choice with just one ingredient. Unlike other raw foods, they don’t go bad since they are freeze-dried. Although the variant presented here is made with chicken, a salmon recipe is also included.
The flakiness of freeze-dried snacks is a drawback. The bag is frequently half powder if it is smashed.
Pros
- Single-ingredient
- Raw-food option
- Low calorie
Cons
- Crumbly
- Pieces are too large for small kittens
9. Wellness Kittles Tasty Crunchy Natural Cat Treats
| Protein Content: | 31% |
| Natural Ingredients: | Yes |
| Feature: | 2 calories per treat |
Another low-calorie choice are the Wellness Kittles Tasty Crunchy Natural Cat Treats, which have just two calories per treat. These snacks are designed specifically to assist your kitten’s teeth get cleaned of tartar and plaque. They are made with organic components including chickpeas, peas, and potatoes.
Sadly, many cats don’t appear to enjoy these treats, thus the flavor could be a problem.
Pros
- Low-calorie
- Promotes clean teeth
- All-natural ingredients
Cons
- Many cats don’t like the flavor or only eat them for a short time
10. Blue Buffalo Baby Blue Chicken Kitten Crunchies Cat Food
| Protein Content: | 23% |
| Natural Ingredients: | Yes |
| Feature: | Healthy growth formula for kittens |
To encourage healthy growth and development, the Blue Buffalo Baby Blue Chicken Kitten Crunchies Cat Food was particularly developed. These crispy snacks are prepared with chicken and healthy grains and cooked in the oven. They are devoid of maize, wheat, and soy and don’t include any artificial preservatives or flavors.
The majority of cats appear to enjoy the flavor of Blue Buffalo Baby Blue Kitten Crunchies, in contrast to some of the other treats on the list. To keep them fresh, they are packaged in a resealable back.
Some cats may have stomach distress after consuming these treats because chicken is one of the main ingredients. They are also not a fantastic choice for cats whose stomachs are delicate.
Pros
- Special kitten recipe
- All-natural ingredients
- Kittens like the flavor
Cons
- Can trigger allergies/food sensitivities
- Not for kittens with sensitive stomachs
Buyer’s Guide: Finding the Best Kitten Treats
Ingredients in kitten treats
Let’s look at the components you should look for and steer clear of when buying cat snacks to assist you in your search.
Protein
There’s a solid reason why we discuss protein content so frequently in these reviews. Cats need a lot of animal-based protein to keep healthy because they are predatory creatures. To provide your cat with the finest nutrition available, try to find snacks that have at least 35% protein.
Whole meat
Ingredients like turkey, salmon, or chicken are considered whole meats because no phrases like meal or by-product are associated with them. Whole meat will be the first mentioned ingredient in the healthiest snacks. It’s not only the healthiest choice for your kitty nutritionally, but it’s also typically the kind of food kittens prefer.
Meat by-products
Meat that has been ground or dried is referred to as a meal or by-product. These components are used to increase the protein content of animal products. Although they are OK for cats, they shouldn’t be the first component listed on your treat package.
Fat
Although humans have a tendency to see fat negatively, it is a crucial component of your kitten’s diet. especially those high in nutritional value omega 3 fatty acids. The majority of veterinarians advise that a kitten consume at least 18 to 35% fat in their diet, but much like people, they shouldn’t consume too much. You should opt for lower-calorie snacks if your kitten’s food already contains enough fat to support its growth and development (there are several recommendations in this article). A kitten’s diet high in fat can cause heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and other health issues.
Omega fats
These were previously highlighted as crucial for a kitten’s wellbeing. Constipation and hyperactivity are both prevented by omega fats. They also support the health of the coat and skin.
Calcium
As a crucial component of strong bones and teeth, calcium is more crucial for kittens than for adult cats. Additionally, this electrolyte aids in blood clotting and guards against rickets. Kittens and nursing moms both need a lot of calcium in their diets.
Taurine
An essential amino acid for digestion, healthy vision, and pregnancy is taurine. A taurine deficiency is avoided by taurine fortification.
Ingredients that you should avoid
- Chemical additives – these are usually listed in letters on ingredient lists and include TBHQ, BHA, and BHT. BHA is the most common additive seen in cat treats, and it has been suspected of promoting the development of cancer in animals.
- Artificial dyes – These can also be dangerous for your pet and should be avoided if possible.
- Corn and soy – Cats often develop stomach sensitivities to corn and soy, as they are not a natural part of their diet. These ingredients can cause vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, or cramping.
Hard vs. soft kitten treats
While some delicacies are soft, others are firm and crunchy. Because they remove plaque and tartar from your kitten’s teeth, hard treats are highly advised.
However, if your kitty adores soft treats, there is nothing wrong with giving them sometimes.
How to feed kitten treats
No more than 10% of your kitten’s daily calories should come from treats, according to the suggested guideline. It’s advisable to speak with your veterinarian for a specific advice, although treats are given that name for a reason. They shouldn’t be used as a main source of nutrition, rather occasionally as a pleasure.
Every kitty is different, and one thing they disagree on is their preferred snacks. Finding a brand that your kitty will eat usually requires trying a few different ones. You’ll probably need to buy treats from several brands if you have many cats.
Alternatives to commercial treats
Veggies or fruits
You may give your kitty various fruits and veggies as treats. These consist of green beans, apples, bananas, strawberries, melons, blueberries, carrots, and broccoli. Cut all veggies into little pieces after cooking them until they are tender.
Conclusion
There are so many options when it comes to buying treats for your kitty. Blue Buffalo Kitty Cravings is our top selection for the finest overall kitten treat this year. They are a natural, nutritious alternative that will make you feel good about the food you’re giving your family.
Our budget selection is Whole Life Just One Ingredient Freeze-Dried snacks. They are excellent for avoiding food allergies since they only include one ingredient, and the recipe’s use of freeze-drying ensures that the dish’s nutritional value is preserved. We believe that this treat offers the best price/quality ratio.
You should select the greatest snacks for your cat with the aid of these reviews and the buyer’s guide.
Q&A on Kitten Treats
1. What should I look for in a good kitten treat?
When selecting kitten treats, look for options that are specifically formulated for kittens. These should be high in protein, low in calories, and free from harmful additives. It’s also beneficial to choose treats with added vitamins and minerals to support your kitten’s growth.
2. How often can I give my kitten treats?
Treats should only be a small part of your kitten’s diet, ideally not exceeding 10% of their total caloric intake. Overfeeding treats can lead to nutritional imbalances and weight gain.
3. Are human foods safe as treats for kittens?
While some human foods are safe for cats in small quantities, many are not. Foods like chocolate, onions, garlic, and raisins are toxic to cats. Stick to treats made specifically for kittens to ensure their safety.
4. Can treats help with kitten training?
Absolutely! Treats can be an effective tool for positive reinforcement during training sessions. Rewarding your kitten with a treat for good behavior or successfully performing a command can encourage them to repeat those actions.
5. Are there any treats that benefit kitten dental health?
Yes, there are kitten treats designed to promote dental health. These treats are typically textured to help reduce plaque and tartar buildup. Always ensure that these are age-appropriate and soft enough for your kitten’s developing teeth.
