Elisabeth Shue
After a long day at work, it may be fun to come home and play with your cat. We all want our pets to be happy, so giving them a few extra treats during bonding time is fine. But cat experts warn that giving your cat too many treats can be harmful.
“Obesity is a huge problem for both dogs and cats,” says Dr. Rachel Barrack, veterinarian and veterinary acupuncturist at Animal Acupuncture. “Obesity has been linked to major health problems in both dogs and cats, including cancer, osteoarthritis, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and reduced lifespan and quality of life. The most common cause of pet obesity is overfeeding, especially with treats.”
Of course, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give your pet treats, but you should think about when you give them and how much at a time. “Feeding cats healthy treats may seem like the obvious answer, but feeding cats treats is a little more difficult than feeding dogs,” says Dr. Amy Farkas, DVM, a veterinary nutritionist at Veterinary Nutrition Care in California.
“Cats are different,” she says. “They won’t eat most of the things that we think of as good treats for animals.” And most cats likely won’t eat fruits or vegetables, she says.
So what healthy treats can you give your cat? Here are six ideas.
A small piece of lean meat
According to the ASPCA, it’s essential that cats get enough meat, as they need the amino acids found in protein. A balanced diet is best, but many cats also enjoy a meat treat.
“Some cats tend to eat pieces of meat as a treat and think that’s natural, but some cats will just say, ‘Where’s my dog food?'” Farkas says.
Their dog food
Sure, that might not sound like much of a treat to you, but think of it this way: your cat already enjoys dog food, and this is one way to cut down on the calories you give to your cat.
“Try setting aside some of your dog or cat’s food as ‘treat’ meals throughout the day,” says Barrack. “This will help cut out excess calories. Make sure everyone in the family agrees on feeding portions to prevent overeating.”
Dried liver
Again, cats need protein in their diet, and dried liver has protein—and of course, the Knox County Humane Society says this treat should be fed in moderation.
Wet Cat Food
Many cats prefer dry food, but wet food Cat food According to the Oregon Humane Society, this could be a good reward option.
Commercial snacks
If you enjoy preparing treats for your cat, it could be part of a bonding experience with your cat, says Farkas. But if not, there’s no need to worry that commercial treats are necessarily unhealthy. Every cat has different needs, so talk to your vet to see what they can recommend.
love
When you’re craving a midnight snack, a head pat isn’t going to replace it. Luckily, cats are a little different: they don’t necessarily need a treat to know you love them or that they’ve done something good.
“We understand that treats are a way for owners to show praise and affection, but that can also be achieved through petting, play and long walks,” Barrack says.
Limit treats
It’s important to remember that no matter how healthy your cat is, they don’t actually need treats. Cat treats perhaps.
“Even if you’re feeding foods that are considered healthy, they’re considered unbalanced because they don’t contain all the nutrients a complete diet provides,” Farkas says.
Also, keep in mind that excessive treats may reduce the healthy diet your cat would normally eat: “Most commercial pet foods are safely and reasonably balanced so that you can feed your cat 5 to 10 percent of its daily intake as treats without deficiencies in the main components of its diet,” says Farkas.
