Cats have quite discerning tastes when it comes to treats. As obligate carnivores, their preference is for meat-based treats packed with protein. However, there are many factors that go into determining what treats cats like best. This article will explore the most popular cat treats on the market and the reasons why felines find them so irresistible.
What Flavors Do Cats Like in Treats?
When shopping for treats, pet owners will find there is no shortage of flavor varieties for cats. Some of the most popular cat treat flavors include:
- Fish – Cats have a natural attraction to the taste and smell of fish. Treats featuring salmon, tuna, cod, and other fish are common.
- Poultry – Chicken and turkey flavored treats are another favorite. These bird-based proteins appeal to a cat’s carnivorous instincts.
- Beef – The rich taste and aroma of beef is attractive to many cats. Beef liver is a particularly irresistible flavor.
- Cheese – While not strictly carnivores, cats do enjoy the creamy taste of cheese as an occasional treat.
- Catnip – Catnip has a legendary appeal to cats thanks to its intoxicating aromatic oils. Catnip-flavored treats pack a one-two punch of taste and scent.
Treats that combine several favored flavors, like fish and cheese or chicken and catnip, are especially enticing to cats. The most effective treats trigger cats’ keen sense of smell along with their taste preferences.
Crunchy or Soft: Texture Preferences
Texture is another important factor in choosing the best treats for cats. There are two main textural categories for feline treats:
- Crunchy treats – These are baked or air-dried to give them a crisp, crunchy texture. They help clean cats’ teeth and promote dental health.
- Soft treats – These have a smooth, chewy, or moist texture. Kittens and cats with dental issues often prefer softer treats.
Some other treat texture options include:
- Chewy – Long-lasting chewy treats appeal to cats’ instincts to gnaw and sink their teeth into something.
- Liquid – Highly palatable broths, gravies, and fondue-style treats that cats can lick up.
- Crispy – Light, flaky treats that almost melt in cats’ mouths.
The optimal treat texture comes down to a cat’s personal preference. Cat owners may need to experiment to see which types their pets like best.
Treat Size and Shape
Cat treats come in a variety of shapes and sizes, which can impact how rewarding your cat finds them:
- Small treats – Bite-sized or pellet-shaped treats allow for easy portion control. Cats have to nibble rather than devour them.
- Large treats – Some long-lasting chews and crunchy treats are extra large to engage cats for longer. But they may be high in calories, so portion size needs monitoring.
- Fun shapes – Novelty shapes like fish, mice, or butterflies make for more interesting treats to bats around and chase.
- Pâté style – Smooth, meaty pâté gives cats something to lap up and makes an excellent meal topper.
- Treat tubes – Squeeze tubes let you control how much cats get to lick out. They prolong treat time.
The ideal treat size and shape ultimately depends on your cat’s personality. But smaller portions allow for better treat frequency and interaction.
Popular Cat Treat Ingredients
Let’s look closer at some of the key ingredients used in many popular cat treats and why cats find them irresistible:
Meat and Fish
Cats crave meat-rich diets, so treats packed with quality animal proteins get their stamp of approval. Beef, chicken, turkey, salmon, tuna, and cod are common favorites.
Cheese and Yogurt
While too much dairy upsets some cats’ stomachs, small amounts of cheese or yogurt add a creamy, irresistible flavor. Just a sprinkling enhances treats’ appeal.
Catnip
Catnip contains nepetalactone, an oil that mimics feline pheromones and induces a temporary euphoric state when smelled. Catnip flavor gives treats extra enticement for many cats.
Liver
The rich, meaty flavor of liver makes it a natural choice for high-value training treats. Cats love snacks packed with nutrient-dense liver flavor.
Popular Brands of Cat Treats
With so many treat options on pet store shelves, which brands rank among the most popular for cats? Here are some leading names in tasty temptations for cats:
Temptations Treats
These snack-sized soft treats from Whiskas come in tempting fish, chicken, cheese, and other flavors. Their small bite size makes portion control easy.
Greenies Feline Dental Treats
Specially shaped to clean cats’ teeth, Greenies treats have a crunchy outside and chewy center cats adore. They freshen breath too.
Fancy Feast Broths
Fancy Feast’s lickable broths let cats enjoy the irresistible flavors of tuna, chicken, salmon, and more, packed into appetizingly aromatic liquids.
PureBites Freeze-Dried Treats
Made of just one ingredient, PureBites treats contain 100% frozen and freeze-dried chunks of meat or fish cats crave. Their ultra-soft texture makes them highly palatable.
Inaba Churu Puree Treats
These smooth, thick purees in seafood, chicken, and liver flavors provide a pâté-style treat many cats will lap right off their owner’s finger.
Homemade Cat Treat Recipes
While store-bought treats are convenient, homemade treats let you control the ingredients. Here are some recipes for nutritious treats cats love:
Salmon Cat Treats
Ingredients: 1 (5 oz) can salmon, drained, 1/4 cup oat flour, 1 egg white, 1 tbsp catnip (optional)
Instructions: Mash salmon until flaky. Mix in oat flour, egg white, and catnip if desired. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 350°F for 12-15 minutes until browned and firm. Cool before serving.
Chicken and Cheese Treats
Ingredients: 1/2 cup cooked, shredded chicken, 1/4 cup grated cheddar cheese, 1 egg, 1 cup whole wheat flour, 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
Instructions: Preheat oven to 325°F. In a bowl, mix together chicken, cheese, egg, flour and garlic powder. Roll tablespoon-sized dough balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes until golden brown. Let cool before serving.
Tips for Choosing the Best Cat Treats
Here are some top tips for picking out treats your cat will go crazy for:
- Look for high-protein, meat-based treats without artificial additives or fillers
- Experiment with different textures – crunchy, soft, chewy, liquid
- Make training treats small and soft for easy portioning and quick consumption
- Monitor calorie content to avoid overfeeding and obesity
- Find treats that support dental health through chewing action
- Rotate treat flavors to keep cats interested and excited
- DIY treats allow control over ingredients, but commercial treats offer convenience
- Observe your cat’s preferences and reactions to determine the best options
Conclusion
Cats can be quite picky when it comes to treats. However, there are some clear frontrunners when you consider cats’ evolutionary cravings and taste preferences. Meat-rich, fishy, cheese or liver-flavored treats have an instant appeal, especially when combined with enticing aromas like catnip. Crunchy and soft textures both have their benefits and fans. Popular brands offer convenient, cat-pleasing flavor combinations, but homemade treats allow for total ingredient control. Getting to know your own cat’s particular tastes will guide you to the treats they find most rewarding.