Cat treats are a popular snack for cats, but can they actually sustain feline life on their own? There are a few key factors to consider when determining if a cat can live on treats alone.
Nutritional Content of Cat Treats
Most cat treats are designed to be supplemental snacks, not complete and balanced meals. Treats typically contain a lot of carbohydrates and fats, but are low in protein and essential vitamins and minerals. Some treats may provide Taurine, an amino acid cats cannot synthesize on their own, but treats won’t have balanced calcium to phosphorus ratios or adequate Vitamin A, B vitamins, arginine and other nutrients required in a feline diet.
Treats are also very high in calories and can quickly lead to weight gain if fed in large quantities. The average treat contains about 4-5 calories per gram, while the average cat only needs about 200-300 calories per day. Feeding exclusively treats would provide an extreme calorie surplus.
Importance of a Balanced Feline Diet
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they need a high protein, meat-based diet to thrive. Unlike dogs, cats cannot live on carbohydrates alone and have specific nutritional requirements:
- High levels of protein from animal sources
- Moderate fat levels from animal sources
- Very minimal carbohydrates from grains
- Taurine
- Vitamin A
- Thiamine
- Riboflavin
- Calcium
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- Iron
- Zinc
- Copper
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin D
A diet of only treats would not come close to meeting these nutritional requirements. Cats fed treats alone would face severe malnutrition and health consequences.
Health Risks of a Treats-Only Diet
Feeding cats only treats carries the following risks:
- Protein deficiency – Lack of protein from meat sources can cause loss of muscle mass and function.
- Vitamin deficiency – Especially Vitamin A and B vitamin deficiency, causing vision loss, skin problems, and neurological issues.
- Mineral imbalance – Excess calcium and phosphorus in treats can prevent proper mineral absorption.
- Taurine deficiency – Usually added to treats but levels may not be sufficient. Can cause heart and eye problems.
- Obesity – High fat and carb content leads to increased body fat.
- Diabetes – Obesity and high carb intake increases the risk of feline diabetes.
- Dental disease – Treats stick to teeth, causing plaque and tartar buildup.
- GI problems – Treats may contain ingredients that irritate sensitive digestive systems.
While the occasional treat is fine, making it the sole component of a cat’s diet would have disastrous effects on their health over both the short and long-term.
Quality of Ingredients in Cat Treats
Many mass-market cat treats contain inexpensive grain fillers, artificial colors and flavors, preservatives, and anonymous by-products instead of high-quality meat. Some common problematic ingredients include:
- Corn, wheat, soy
- Artificial colors – Red 40, Blue 2, Yellow 5
- Propylene glycol
- BHA, BHT
- Animal digest
- Meat by-products
- Sugar or glycerin
These low-grade ingredients offer little nutritional value and some may actually be toxic to cats if consumed regularly. Higher quality treats made with just real meat, fish, or poultry and minimal additional ingredients are a better choice.
The Bottom Line
Here is a summary of the key reasons why cats cannot live on treats alone:
| Reason | Details |
|---|---|
| Nutritional deficiency | Treats lack balanced vitamins, minerals, proteins, and amino acids cats need |
| Calorie excess | Large amounts of treats lead to rapid weight gain |
| Disease risk | Malnutrition from treats increases risk of diabetes, heart disease, vision loss and more |
| Low-grade ingredients | Many treats have fillers, by-products, and additives instead of quality meat |
Cat treats certainly have a place in rewarding and supplementing a cat’s diet when fed occasionally and in moderation. However, these tasty tidbits cannot replace complete and balanced cat food designed to meet feline nutritional needs. Feeding treats alone would lead to malnutrition and endanger a cat’s health, quality of life, and longevity.
How many treats can cats eat safely per day?
There is no definitive safe number of treats all cats can consume daily, as each cat’s needs are individual. However, general guidelines suggest limiting treats to:
- 10% or less of the cat’s total daily calories
- 10% or less of the cat’s total daily food intake by volume
- Around 4-6 individual treats per day
When determining how many treats to feed, consider the following factors:
- Calories – Choose lower calorie treats and adjust quantity based on cat’s weight and activity level.
- Ingredients – Limit low-quality treats packed with carbs, sugars, fillers.
- Meal feeding – Cats who graze may tolerate more treats than meal-fed cats.
- Health issues – Obese, diabetic, or inactive cats may only need treats every other day.
- Weight loss – The fewer treats, the better for overweight cats.
- Dental health – Limit sticky treats that cling to teeth.
Monitoring treat quantity, nutritional value, ingredients, and the cat’s response helps keep treats an occasional bonus instead of a dietary mainstay.
What are healthier homemade cat treat options?
Some healthier homemade cat treat options include:
- Baked chicken or salmon – Plain cooked meat, no salt or seasoning.
- Canned sardines – Sardines packed in water, not oil.
- Hard boiled egg – Cooked plain egg, no shell.
- Veggie nibbles – Cooked plain carrots, green beans, or sweet potato.
- Fruit skewers – Small diced bits of apple, banana, melon on a skewer.
- DIY baked treats – Cat treat recipes using wheat-free flours, limited ingredients.
Advantages of homemade treats include control over ingredients, nutrition, and portion sizes. However, home preparation also requires following sanitary practices and proper storage to prevent contamination and spoilage.
When preparing homemade treats:
- Use fresh, human-grade ingredients
- Avoid onions, garlic, salt, and spices
- Cook meats to safe internal temperatures
- Wash produce thoroughly
- Refrigerate or freeze treats in small batches
Checking with a veterinarian about appropriate homemade treat recipes tailored to a cat’s health needs is also recommended.
Commercial Cat Treat Options
While homemade treats are popular, many cat owners opt for commercial treats for convenience. When selecting commercial treats, look for options that:
- Have a named meat, fish, or poultry as the first ingredient
- Are low in carbohydrate fillers like corn, wheat, soy
- Contain less than 4 calories per treat
- Are free of artificial colors, flavors and preservatives like BHA or BHT
- Are made in facilities with high safety standards
Some commercial cat treat brands well-regarded for quality and nutritional standards include Smalls, Vital Essentials, Tiki Pets, and Pure Bites.
Conclusion
While the occasional cat treat can be a fun supplement, treats should never make up the bulk of any cat’s diet. Cats have very specific nutritional requirements that treats do not fulfill. Feeding exclusively treats would lead to malnutrition, obesity, and serious feline health issues. Homemade and commercial treats can be healthy options when fed responsibly, but a complete and balanced cat food should be the foundation of a cat’s daily diet.