Much like people, cats also love a good snack. As cat owners, we always worry about giving our furry friends the best nutritional options, and questions like “Can I give my cat treats every day?” will arise. The answer is yes. You can give your cat treats every day; however, it is important to give treats in moderation and to ensure you are giving your cat quality treats.
Why Are Treats For Cats Important?
Treats aren’t necessarily something that your cat needs to have, although there are many benefits that cat treats offer:
Bonding
Cats love treats, and snack time could be a special time where you can bond with your cat. This can also boost your cat's excitement levels and gives your furry friend something to look forward to every day.
Nutritional Value
Feeding the correct cat treats can have many benefits for your cat's health. Good quality treats with high protein levels can improve your cat's overall energy levels as well as other things such as your cat’s coat and dental health. Good-quality treats can also support your cat's digestive health by promoting a balanced gut flora.
Training
Cat treats are a great way to positively reinforce behaviour, whether it is when your cat is learning a new trick or you’re rewarding good behaviour.
How Often Should I Give My Cat Treats?
It is very important to understand that portion control needs to be exercised when it comes to cat treats. Although your cat might want to have treats for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and maybe a few times in between, this is not advisable.
Most treat packets will include a feeding guideline on the back, indicating the recommended serving size for your cat each day.
How Many Treats Can I Give My Cat?
Vets recommend that treats should only make up 5% to 10% of your cat’s daily calorie intake. In fact, less is more. The other 90% of your cat’s daily calorie intake should consist of high-quality, dry and wet cat food. Your vet will be able to tell you what your cat's daily calorie intake should be. Most companies will have a ‘recommended daily amount’ or similar on their treats, i don't think people work it out on a per calorie basis. Can keep in the calorie info but should also just include following the feeding guide on the packet.
Younger and active cats can be closer to the 10% mark, whereas older and less active cats should be closer to the 5% mark. Depending on your cat's size, 10% is usually about 20 - 30 calories and equates to only a few pieces of treats.
How Many Treats Per Day For A Kitten?
Kittens can have treats once their teeth have grown in and when they have completely switched to solid foods. Kittens are highly active, and treats can be closer to 10% of their daily calorie intake. The perfect way to train or positively reinforce good behaviour in your kitten is by using treats.
What Treats Should I Give My Cat?
Not all treats are considered healthy, and it is very important to give your cat treats that are packed with protein, low in carbohydrates, and free from fillers and additives.
The best cat treats are freeze-dried chicken or salmon. They’re packed with protein, low in carbohydrates, and free from fillers and artificial additives, making them a healthy and nutritious choice. Freeze-dried cat treats are great because they also support your cat's digestive health system, as they contain high-quality ingredients.
How Many Cat Treats Are Too Much?
Exceeding the 10% of your cat's daily calorie intake, or the suggested serving size on your treats packet can have many negative consequences. If you exceed this limit once, do not panic - simply give your cat fewer treats the next day. Yes, your furry friend might be grumpy, but this is the best way to maintain a healthy balance.
What Are The Risks Of Giving My Cat Too Many Treats?
Overindulging in treats can cause your cat to become overweight, this is very unhealthy and can lead to a lot of health problems especially if your cat has any pre-existing conditions. Treats should also not replace a balanced, nutritional meal, as this can cause your cat to miss out on essential nutrients. Overfeeding of treats can also upset your cat's stomach and lead to issues such as diarrhoea or vomiting.
So Is It Healthy To Give Your Cat Treats Everyday?
When given high-quality, healthy cat treats in moderation, it is perfectly fine to give your cat treats every day. It is important to remember that cat treats should never replace your cat's meals and should not exceed 10% of their daily calorie intake. By keeping portion control in check, you ensure that your cat benefits from treats instead of suffering from negative impacts such as obesity, diarrhea, or vomiting. Treats might not buy your cat’s love, but it will certainly make you their favourite human, because nothing says “I love you” more than a delicious treat.
