Your cat loves her treats. You can tell because she scampers across the house when she hears you open the cupboard. Then she winds between your feet, meowing impatiently until you kneel to give her a goody.
If your veterinarian can tell your cat loves and frequently receives treats, that's not a great thing. Just like humans, an unhealthy weight can lead to health concerns, including diabetes, heart problems and osteoarthritis, says Vetstreet. However, your cat certainly doesn't understand the need to cut back.
So how can you properly give your cat healthy cat treats without compromising her weight health?
Moderation Is Key
Just like your human doctor will tell you, moderation is key. You don't have to give up treats entirely, just make sure you are doling treats out in the best way and for the right reasons. For instance, cat parents may automatically give their cat a treat when they get home from a full day of work.
Are you giving your cat tasty nibbles because you feel guilty about being away all day? Because you feel like you haven't been spending enough time with her? Instead, give your cat a treat as a training tool, to reinforce good behaviors, or to help her overcome a fear, not to make yourself feel better! Give her a pat on the head or tease her with a feather toy for five extra minutes instead.
Tasty Tips
Smart Ways to Treat
Here are five ways to treat your cat without packing on the pounds:
- Use food instead of calorie-dense treats. Just a few of her regular kibbles hand-fed to her during a cuddle session may be enough to get her motor purring. Remember, if she is quick to her cat bowl when you feed her, it means she probably enjoys her dry cat food. Unlike humans, cats don't mind eating the same thing more than once, so a few kibbles here and there outside her normal meal time will still feel like a treat.
- Cut treats in half. By dividing treats into smaller pieces, you're still giving your cat a taste she craves without the full caloric intake.
- Trade your traditional treats for a green snack. Catnip and cat grass are fun alternatives. Keep an eye on her while she's enjoying it, because ingesting a huge pile of nip may give her an upset stomach.
- Switch store-bought treats for homemade options. Homemade treats don't have to be complicated. With just a few minutes of prep time and a quick bake in the oven or microwave, you can whip up a batch of homemade healthy cat treats that will last for a week.
- Combine treats with exercise and play. Teach your cat tricks or send her on a scavenger hunt to satisfy her taste buds and burn calories at the same time.
No Table Scraps
Another important reminder regarding treating your cat: please don't feed table scraps or human food. Everyday foods like raisins, caffeinated drinks, chocolate and onions, among others, are toxic to cats. This also needs to be known throughout the household. Just because you are being compliant and avoiding giving your cat treats in excess, does not mean everyone in the house is following your lead. This can be especially true of young children, so help them understand to only give her treats when you are there to supervise to ensure you can manage your kitty's treat intake.
You love your cat and want her to live a long, happy and healthy life. Keep those goals in mind when deciding what and when to treat your cat. If nothing else, some cuddle time and scratches behind the ears will be more than enough of a treat, just knowing your love for her.
Contributor Bio
Kara Murphy
Kara Murphy is a freelance writer in Erie, Pa. with a cat named Olive.
Related products
STERILISED CAT ADULT CAT FOOD
Precisely balanced nutrition with a unique weight management formula and clinically proven antioxidants to help keep neutered cats in great shape.
Sterilised Cat Adult Cat Food
Precisely balanced nutrition with a unique weight management formula and clinically proven antioxidants to help keep neutered cats in great shape.
Mature Adult 7+ Cat Food
Hill's Science Plan Mature Adult Cat Food with Salmon is a complete pet food, specially formulated with ActivBiome+ Multi-Benefit Technology.
This food supports graceful aging in cats, providing a synergistic ingredient blend to help support energy & activity levels.
Feline Kitten
Hill's Science Plan Kitten Wet Cat Food Premium Chunks in Sauce with Ocean Fish is a complete pet food for kittens and for pregnant or nursing cats
Related articles
Cat Poo: A Comprehensive Guide
Learn how your cat's poo can be a good indicator of her overall health, including how to spot unhealthy or abnormal cat poop and what it might mean.
Cat Eye Care: Recognizing and Preventing 6 Cat Eye Problems
Learn about common eye problems in cats, such as conjunctivitis and corneal ulcers, as well as their causes, symptoms and treatment options
Is your cat putting on weight?
Learn about the warning signs, symptoms, and treatments of cat obesity and weight management in cats and the conditions that affect on your cat.
Helping a Cat with Sensitive Skin
Cats with sensitive skin have special needs and even healthy cats can sometimes develop poor skin health. Learn more about sensitive skin symptoms in your cat, what you can do to help your pet feel more comfortable and get recommendations on sensitive skin cat food.
Put your cat on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Put your cat on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.