Treats are for bonding, training and joy. Here is how to keep them from becoming a second dinner.
We make treats, so we are not about to tell you to stop. But a little maths keeps them healthy.
The 10% rule
Treats should make up no more than 10% of your cat's daily calories. An average 4 kg indoor cat needs around 200 kcal a day, so that is about 20 kcal of treats.
What that looks like
About ten crunchy pillow treats, or one creamy lick tube plus three or four crunchy treats, or four to five freeze-dried chicken cubes. On treat-heavy days, take a few grams off dinner.
Make treats work harder
Use them for training: coming when called, going into the carrier, sitting still for nail trims. Hide a few around the house or in a puzzle feeder to give indoor cats something to hunt.
Foods to keep off the menu
Onion, garlic, chocolate, grapes, raisins, alcohol and anything sweetened with xylitol are toxic to cats. Milk upsets most adult cats, and cooked bones can splinter.
If your cat is overweight
Switch to low-calorie options like broth or a single freeze-dried cube, and talk to your vet about a weight plan. Affection, play and a good brush are calorie-free rewards too.
