8 Best Cat Treats of 2024

Choosing the best cat treats of 2024 sounds simple until you stand in the pet aisle and realize there are more flavors than a fancy brunch menu. Tuna mousse? Freeze-dried chicken? Dental crunchies? Salmon flakes that look suspiciously like something your cat would write poetry about? The treat world has officially gone gourmet, and our cats are not mad about it.

But here is the whisker-twitching truth: not every treat deserves a spot in your pantry. Some are great for training, some help with dental care, some add moisture, and some are basically tiny crunchy bribes for when your cat refuses to leave your laptop keyboard. The smartest choice depends on your cat’s age, health, texture preference, calorie needs, and level of royal pickiness.

This guide reviews eight standout cat treats for 2024 based on ingredient quality, calorie awareness, palatability, purpose, availability in the United States, and usefulness for everyday cat parents. As always, treats should complement a complete and balanced cat food, not replace dinner. Your cat may disagree, loudly, at 5:47 a.m.

How We Chose the Best Cat Treats

The best cat treats are not just the ones that make your cat sprint across the house like a tiny furry athlete. A good treat should be safe, reasonably low in calories, easy to portion, and appropriate for your cat’s needs. We prioritized treats with clear ingredient lists, strong user popularity, veterinary or expert recognition where available, and practical benefits such as hydration, dental support, training value, or digestive support.

One important rule matters more than any shiny bag: treats should generally stay under 10% of your cat’s daily calories. For many indoor adult cats, that treat budget is not huge. That means a few extra bites can matter, especially for cats who are already carrying a little “winter fluff” in July. When in doubt, ask your veterinarian how many calories your specific cat should eat per day.

Quick Comparison: Best Cat Treats of 2024

1. INABA Churu Lickable Cat Treats: Best Overall Lickable Treat

INABA Churu has become the celebrity of cat treats, and honestly, the fame is understandable. These creamy tubes are easy to squeeze, fun to hand-feed, and wildly useful for bonding with cats who act like affection is a legal negotiation. Churu treats are especially helpful for cats who need more moisture in their routine because the purée format contains much more water than dry treats.

Each tube is low in calories compared with many traditional treats, making it easier to work into a sensible treat plan. The texture also makes Churu useful for hiding small amounts of medication, encouraging appetite, distracting during nail trims, or convincing a suspicious cat that the carrier is not, in fact, a portal to doom.

Best for:

Cats who love soft food, seniors with dental sensitivity, kittens learning to trust handling, and picky cats who turn their nose up at crunchy treats.

Watch out for:

Because lickable treats are so palatable, it is easy to overdo them. One tube can disappear in seconds, especially if your cat has the suction power of a tiny vacuum cleaner. Use them as a special reward, not a full meal.

2. Greenies Feline Dental Treats: Best Cat Dental Treat

If your cat’s breath could make a houseplant reconsider its life choices, Greenies Feline Dental Treats are worth a look. These crunchy treats are designed to help reduce tartar through chewing action, and they are one of the best-known dental cat treats in the United States.

The biggest advantage is credibility. Greenies Feline Dental Treats are accepted by the Veterinary Oral Health Council for tartar control, which gives them a stronger basis than many treats that simply say “dental” on the bag and hope nobody asks follow-up questions. They come in familiar flavors such as chicken, salmon, tuna, catnip, and other cat-friendly options.

Best for:

Adult cats who enjoy crunchy treats and need a daily dental-support routine alongside veterinary dental care.

Watch out for:

Dental treats are not a replacement for professional dental exams or brushing if your cat allows it. Also, feeding directions may require multiple treats per day, so count those calories carefully.

3. PureBites Freeze-Dried Chicken: Best Limited-Ingredient Cat Treat

PureBites Freeze-Dried Chicken is a favorite for cat parents who want a treat list that reads more like food and less like a chemistry quiz. These treats are freeze-dried, protein-forward, and often made with very simple ingredients. For cats with sensitive stomachs or parents who want fewer additives, that simplicity is the selling point.

Freeze-dried chicken treats are also flexible. You can hand-feed them whole, break them into smaller training rewards, or crumble them over wet food when your cat decides yesterday’s favorite dinner is now offensive. The smell is usually appealing without being quite as intense as fish-based treats, which is good news for humans with noses.

Best for:

Cats who do well with poultry, cats on limited-ingredient routines, and pet parents who want a high-protein reward with minimal extras.

Watch out for:

Freeze-dried treats should be stored properly and handled with clean hands. If your cat has a known poultry allergy or is on a veterinary diet, check with your vet first.

4. Cat-Man-Doo Extra Large Bonito Flakes: Best Single-Ingredient Fish Treat

Cat-Man-Doo Bonito Flakes are light, wispy, fishy, and dramatic in the best possible way. These flakes are made from bonito fish and are especially useful for cats who need a little encouragement at mealtime. Sprinkle a small pinch over food, and suddenly dinner becomes fine dining.

The single-ingredient format makes these treats appealing for cats with certain sensitivities, and the strong aroma can help motivate picky eaters. They are also low in bulk, so a little goes a long way. That said, this is a fish treat, and fish-forward foods can be very exciting for cats. Expect intense eye contact.

Best for:

Fish-loving cats, picky eaters, cats who need a meal topper, and pet parents looking for a simple treat with big aroma.

Watch out for:

Bonito flakes are delicate and can be messy. Serve them in a bowl unless you enjoy vacuuming fish confetti from the floor.

5. ORIJEN Freeze-Dried Cat Treats: Best Meat-Rich Premium Treat

ORIJEN Freeze-Dried Cat Treats are built for cats who prefer their snacks with a serious meat résumé. These treats are known for animal-ingredient-heavy recipes and a lightweight freeze-dried texture. Many formulas are very low in calories per treat, which makes them handy for frequent rewards without immediately blowing the calorie budget.

They work well for training, enrichment games, and food puzzles because the pieces are small and aromatic. For cats who thrive on meat-forward foods, ORIJEN can feel like a premium upgrade from standard crunchy treats.

Best for:

Cats who enjoy freeze-dried textures, pet parents seeking meat-rich formulas, and training sessions where small rewards are useful.

Watch out for:

Premium freeze-dried treats can cost more per ounce than basic treats. Also, some cats need time to understand freeze-dried texture, because cats are tiny critics wearing fur coats.

6. Temptations Classic Cat Treats: Best Budget Training Treat

Temptations Classic treats are the familiar shake-the-bag option that has summoned many cats from impossible hiding places. These treats have a crunchy outside and soft inside, giving cats a texture contrast that many seem to love. They are also widely available, budget-friendly, and easy to portion.

At under 2 calories per treat, Temptations can work well for training when used carefully. Teaching your cat to come when called, accept a carrier, step onto a scale, or tolerate grooming can be easier when the reward is something small and exciting.

Best for:

Training, multi-cat homes, budget-conscious shoppers, and cats who love crunchy-soft textures.

Watch out for:

Because these treats are so snackable, it is easy to give “just a few more.” Measure portions instead of free-pouring from the container like you are hosting a feline Super Bowl party.

7. Wellness Kittles Crunchy Cat Treats: Best Grain-Free Crunchy Treat

Wellness Kittles are small, crunchy, grain-free treats that fit neatly into daily reward routines. They are under 2 calories each, which makes them useful for cats who need smaller portions or more frequent training rewards. They come in flavors such as chicken, salmon, tuna, and other cat-friendly combinations.

The size is one of their strengths. Smaller treats are easier to scatter in puzzle feeders, toss for chase games, or use during short clicker-training sessions. If your cat likes crunch but you want something a little more ingredient-conscious than the most basic supermarket treats, Kittles are a strong middle ground.

Best for:

Grain-free shoppers, indoor cats, training, puzzle feeders, and cats who enjoy crisp textures.

Watch out for:

Grain-free does not automatically mean healthier for every cat. It simply means the product avoids grains. Your cat’s overall diet, health history, and calorie intake matter more.

8. Get Naked Digestive Health Soft Cat Treats: Best for Hairball-Prone Cats

Get Naked Digestive Health Soft Treats are designed for cats who deal with hairballs or digestive fussiness. They include fiber, prebiotics, probiotics, and oils intended to support digestion and help hair move through the system. Real chicken is commonly listed as a key ingredient, and the soft texture can appeal to cats who do not love hard crunch.

No treat can magically solve serious vomiting, chronic hairballs, or digestive disease, but a digestive-support treat may be useful for occasional hairball management when paired with brushing, hydration, and a complete diet. If your cat is producing hairballs like a tiny carpet factory, talk to your veterinarian.

Best for:

Cats with occasional hairballs, cats who prefer soft treats, and owners who want a reward with digestive-support ingredients.

Watch out for:

These treats are usually higher in calories than some tiny crunchy options, so portion control matters. Also, introduce digestive treats gradually to avoid upsetting your cat’s stomach.

What Makes a Cat Treat Healthy?

A healthy cat treat starts with context. Cats are obligate carnivores, which means their everyday nutrition should be built around animal-based protein and essential nutrients. Treats, however, are usually not complete and balanced meals. They are rewards, training tools, bonding moments, or occasional toppers.

Look for treats with clear calorie information, recognizable ingredients, and a texture your cat can safely chew. For cats with medical conditions such as kidney disease, diabetes, food allergies, obesity, urinary issues, or chronic digestive problems, treats should be approved by a veterinarian. The “healthy” treat for one cat may be wrong for another.

How Many Cat Treats Per Day Is Too Many?

The simplest guideline is the 10% rule: treats should make up no more than 10% of your cat’s daily calories. For a cat eating around 200 calories per day, that means roughly 20 calories from treats. Depending on the treat, that could be three Churu tubes, ten tiny crunchy treats, or only a few larger soft chews. Math has entered the chat, unfortunately.

If your cat is overweight, inactive, or on a strict diet, aim lower. Many veterinarians prefer treats closer to 5% of daily calories for cats who need weight management. You can also break treats into smaller pieces. Your cat does not know the treat was once larger. Please do not tell them.

Ingredients to Avoid in Cat Treats

Avoid giving cats human foods that are known to be dangerous for pets, including chocolate, alcohol, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, chives, and products containing xylitol. Also be cautious with salty foods, fatty table scraps, cooked bones, and highly seasoned meats. Cats may act interested in your dinner, but curiosity is not a nutrition plan.

For commercial treats, watch for your cat’s individual sensitivities. Some cats do fine with grains; others may not. Some love fish; others may get stomach upset. If a new treat causes vomiting, diarrhea, itching, or refusal to eat regular food, stop using it and contact your veterinarian if symptoms continue.

Best Ways to Use Cat Treats

Use Treats for Training

Cats can absolutely be trained. They simply prefer not to announce it too loudly because it would damage their mysterious brand. Small treats can help teach recall, carrier entry, nail-trim cooperation, and basic tricks like sitting or touching a target stick.

Use Treats for Enrichment

Instead of placing treats directly in a bowl, hide them in puzzle toys, scatter them across a snuffle mat, or place a few around a safe room for a mini hunting game. This turns snack time into mental exercise.

Use Treats for Bonding

Hand-feeding a lickable treat or offering a small crunchy reward after brushing can make routine care feel more positive. This is especially useful for shy cats, newly adopted cats, and cats who believe every household object is suspicious until proven otherwise.

Real-Life Experience: What Cat Treat Testing Teaches You

Spend enough time trying different cat treats and you learn one thing quickly: cats are not impressed by your spreadsheet. You may compare calories, moisture, ingredients, texture, and price per ounce, only for your cat to sniff the “perfect” treat once and walk away with the emotional force of a restaurant critic leaving a one-star review.

In real homes, the best cat treat is often the one that matches a specific moment. Lickable treats like Churu are fantastic during nail trims because they keep a cat focused for more than half a second. Freeze-dried chicken is useful when you want a clean, simple reward that does not leave residue on your fingers. Bonito flakes can rescue a meal when your cat suddenly decides the same food they loved yesterday is now an insult to the monarchy.

Dental treats are most useful when they become part of a predictable routine. For example, giving Greenies after dinner can become a nightly ritual. Your cat gets the satisfying crunch, and you get the small comfort of supporting oral care without wrestling a toothbrush into a mouth full of tiny daggers. It is not a full dental plan, but it is better than pretending cat breath is normal room fragrance.

Budget treats like Temptations also have a place. Not every reward needs to be artisanal, freeze-dried, mountain-sourced salmon blessed by moonlight. Sometimes you need a reliable, affordable treat that works for recall training or getting your cat out from under the bed before a vet appointment. The trick is portion control. The container may say “shake,” but your cat hears “unlimited buffet.”

Texture matters more than many people expect. Some cats adore crunch. Others prefer soft sticks, flakes, or purées. Senior cats and cats with dental discomfort may reject hard treats not because they are picky, but because chewing hurts. A cat who suddenly changes treat preferences should be watched closely, especially if they also drool, paw at the mouth, eat less, or chew on one side.

Another practical lesson: treats can change behavior, but timing is everything. Reward the behavior you want immediately. If your cat enters the carrier, treat right away. If your cat lets you brush one side, treat before pushing your luck. If your cat comes when called, reward before they reconsider and pretend they never heard you. Cats are masters of plausible deniability.

Finally, rotate treats thoughtfully. Keeping two or three types on hand can prevent boredom and give you options: one high-value lickable treat for stressful tasks, one low-calorie crunchy treat for daily training, and one simple topper for picky eating days. That mix usually works better than buying twelve bags and creating a snack drawer that looks like a feline convenience store.

Final Verdict: The Best Cat Treats of 2024

The best overall cat treat for many homes is INABA Churu because it is low-calorie, moisture-rich, and almost comically persuasive. For dental support, Greenies Feline Dental Treats stand out thanks to VOHC acceptance. For ingredient simplicity, PureBites and Cat-Man-Doo are excellent choices. For training and everyday affordability, Temptations and Wellness Kittles are practical picks. For hairball-prone cats, Get Naked Digestive Health Soft Treats offer a targeted option.

The real winner, of course, is the treat your cat likes, tolerates well, and can enjoy without upsetting their nutrition. Choose treats with a purpose, count calories, store them safely, and remember: the treat is not just a snack. It is a tiny edible contract between you and a creature who may or may not knock your water glass off the table later.