An easy rule of thumb that I personally use and recommend is to look for single ingredient treats. You can feed fresh food from your kitchen or choose freeze-dried, air-dried, or dehydrated single-protein treats.
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they require animal-based nutrition. Most commercial diets contain excess carbohydrates, so whole-protein treats are ideal.
As a general rule, treats should not exceed 10% of your cat’s total diet. Because of this, you do not need to overanalyze nutrients as long as you are feeding clean, single-ingredient animal proteins.
Healthy, Safe Treat Options Available in Your Kitchen:
*Cook meats only in coconut oil, olive oil, butter, ghee, or beef tallow. Never season.
*Raw large chunks can support dental cleaning. Cooked chunks provide chewing enrichment but less dental benefit.
Chicken (raw or cooked): white meat, dark meat, and organs/giblets
Turkey (raw or cooked): all cuts and organs/giblets
Beef (raw or cooked): lean cuts and organs; avoid excessive fat
Fish (cooked): salmon, cod, sardines, herring, tuna — limit to 2x per week due to mercury concerns. Smaller fish like sardines are safest. Avoid added salt or seasoning.
Eggs: a complete protein containing all essential amino acids
Best Ways To Serve Eggs To Your Cats:
Eggs should be cooked in butter, coconut oil, or olive oil with no seasoning. Ideally, the yolk can remain slightly raw while whites are fully cooked.
Soft-Boiled
Sunny-Side Up
Hard-Boiled
Scrambled
Fried
Health-Score of Treats from Best to Least:
Fresh Raw Single-Protein Treat
Fresh, Gently-Cooked Single-Protein Treat
Freeze-Dried Raw Single-Protein Treat
Air-Dried Single-Protein Treat
Dehydrated Single-Protein Treat
Healthy, Safe Commercially Available Treat Options:
PureBites is a top cost-effective option. Buying dog versions in larger sizes can reduce cost significantly while maintaining single-ingredient quality.
