Joybuy Insights

Cat Treats: How to Choose a Reward That Suits Your Cat’s Habits

Cat treats can reward good behaviour, accompany a play session, or simply create a moment of bonding. But with treats marketed as “natural”, snacks labelled “low calorie” and recipes enriched with vitamins, it’s not always easy to separate useful information from marketing promises.

Before you place an order, three common pitfalls keep cropping up:

  • Confusing a flavour with a high ingredient content: a chicken treat may contain only a small proportion of chicken, even if the word is prominent on the packaging.
  • Forgetting that treats are a complementary food: treats do not replace a complete diet and should be counted as part of your cat’s daily food allowance.
  • Underestimating the importance of texture and storage: a large bag quickly loses its appeal if the product goes soft quickly or needs to be eaten soon after opening.

What to Check Before Buying Cat Treats

1. The Ingredients and the Proportion of the Featured Ingredient

The order of ingredients is a useful first guide: they are usually listed in descending order by weight. A salmon treat could therefore be made mostly of cereals, fats or vegetable derivatives, with the salmon appearing much further down the list.

Also look for the quantitative ingredient declaration when the recipe highlights chicken, tuna or salmon. Among the products featured here, some references state, for example, 4% chicken or 4% salmon. This information lets you compare recipes more honestly, without confusing the flavour name with the actual product composition.

Tuna treats and fish-based recipes can be a good way to add variety, but they are still rewards. If your cat is on a special diet, ask your vet before adding any complementary food to their meals.

2. Texture, Moisture Content and Intended Use

Choosing between crunchy treats, soft bites and liquid sticks depends largely on how you plan to use them:

  • Crunchy with a soft centre bites are handy for rewarding your cat quickly during play or a training session.
  • Sticks and liquid purées can be given straight from your hand or added to your cat’s usual food.
  • Very moist recipes are easy to lick, but often need to be kept in the fridge and eaten within 24 hours of opening.

The moisture percentage shown on the packaging helps you understand the differences between formats. Some Inaba sticks have around 90.5% to 91% moisture, compared with roughly 8.5% to 10% for dry Catisfactions bites. These figures obviously aren’t enough to judge a treat’s quality – they mainly help you choose a texture and storage method that suits you.

3. Portion Size and Nutritional Balance

A treat should remain an occasional reward or be given in moderation. The manufacturer’s recommendations vary depending on your cat’s age, weight, activity level and the product itself. The Catisfactions chicken and salmon recipes, for example, state a daily limit, with a specific amount for kittens in the salmon recipe.

Low-calorie treats can help you control portions more easily, but this claim deserves a closer look. Some bites are labelled under 2 kcal per piece, while certain liquid sticks indicate around 6 kcal per portion. If your cat receives several treats during the day, remember to reduce their main meal slightly when necessary.

Our Selection Based on Your Cat’s Profile

The products below meet different needs: a small size for trying something new, a moist recipe, a large pack, or a treat suitable for certain kittens. Always check the label you receive with the product for batch, ingredient and storage information.

Recommended for: Budget-conscious beginners
CATISFACTIONS Chicken Treats For Cats And Kittens - 60g

CATISFACTIONS Chicken Treats For Cats And Kittens - 60g

Why this choice suits this profile: At 60g, this small bag lets you try a chicken treat without committing to a family-sized pack straight away. The bites are crunchy on the outside and soft in the centre.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The small size reduces the risk of a large bag losing its texture before it’s finished. The ingredients list shows 4% chicken.

Key benefit and highlights

Dual-texture bites, under 2 kcal per treat and a resealable bag.

Recommended for: Premium enthusiasts
Inaba Churu Cat Treat Sticks, Grooming & Skin Care Combo Pack

Inaba Churu Cat Treat Sticks, Grooming & Skin Care Combo Pack

Why this choice suits this profile: This multipack offers a purée texture, two chicken recipes and 20 individual 14g sticks – perfect for bonding moments with your cat.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The contents of each stick make portion control easy and stop you keeping an opened pack for too long. The manufacturer recommends consuming the product within 24 hours of opening.

Key benefit and highlights

The ingredients list shows 30% chicken and 86% moisture. These sticks can be given as they are or placed on top of kibble.

Recommended for: Households with a kitten
VITAKRAFT Cat Treats Poultry 270g

VITAKRAFT Cat Treats Poultry 270g

Why this choice suits this profile: With 270g split into individual portions, this format suits households that give liquid treats regularly, especially to liven up meals.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The separate portions stop you leaving an open pack for several days. Once opened, the product must be refrigerated and consumed within 24 to 48 hours.

Key benefit and highlights

270g total, a liquid texture and 85% stated moisture, with the option to mix the product into kibble.

Recommended for: Households with a kitten
Catisfactions Salmon Treats for Cats and Kittens - 60g

Catisfactions Salmon Treats for Cats and Kittens - 60g

Why this choice suits this profile: This recipe is intended for cats and kittens from 2 months old, with a specific daily recommendation for younger animals.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The minimum age and portion sizes are stated in the product information: up to 6 bites per day for a kitten, depending on their individual circumstances.

Key benefit and highlights

A salmon flavour, a crunchy bite with a soft centre and under 2 kcal per treat, according to the product listing.

Looking for more options?

We’ve put together a comprehensive, real-time updated list of products that meet these demanding selection criteria and comply with European safety regulations.

Storage and Usage Tips

To keep your treats in good condition and avoid waste:

  • Seal dry treat bags carefully after each use.
  • Store them in a cool, dry place away from direct light.
  • Put opened sticks or liquid preparations in the fridge and follow the time limit stated on the packaging.
  • Don’t let your cat chew on the packaging of individual portions.
  • Always leave a bowl of clean, fresh water available.

FAQ on Cat Treats

How many treats can you give a cat per day?

It all depends on your cat’s weight, age, activity level and the energy value of the product. Follow the recommendations on the packaging and count treats as part of your cat’s daily food intake. They should never replace a complete diet.

Do liquid cat treats help with hydration?

They generally contain much more moisture than dry bites. So they can provide a little water as part of a varied diet, but they don’t replace a bowl of fresh water or a vet’s advice if there’s a health concern.

How long can you keep an opened bag?

Dry bites often keep for several weeks in their properly resealed packaging, depending on the manufacturer’s instructions. Sticks and liquid snacks usually need to be placed in the fridge after opening and consumed within 24 to 48 hours. The product label is the best guide to follow.