7 healthy cat treats (that cats will go ga-ga for)

Updated 26/06/2024

The true way to a cat's heart is through their stomach... that's the saying, right? Nevertheless, showering our feline friends with love, affection, and - yes, treats (in moderation, of course!) - is an important part of any pet parent or pet sitter's duties - food and cats are match made in kitty heaven, afterall. 

Thankfully, there are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to healthy cat treats, that will delight your kitty’s palate and form part of a healthy and balanced diet in the process. But before we dive (boops first) into some of the best cat healthy treats currently on the market, first let's address the elephant in the room: can treats ever actually be ‘healthy’?

Are cat treats healthy?

Well, they can be! While your feline friend shouldn’t be snacking on treats 24/7, and nor should treats make up a large percentage of your kitty’s diet, the occasional healthy treat can be a delicious and nutritious addition to your kitty’s diet - music to our feline friends’ ears, we're sure. 

So, what makes a cat treat ‘healthy’? When searching for healthy cat treats, the first place you should look is on the ingredients list. Ideally, your cat treats should have an animal or fish protein listed as one of the first few ingredients, and look for treats that are free of fillers, artificial colors, flavorings and preservatives. Some also come with the added benefit of being grain-free (which tends to make them suitable for cats with a sensitive stomach, too). 

While the treats on our list below are low in calories, experts recommend that treats should make up no more than 10% of your feline friend’s daily calorific intake.

Now, without further ado let’s explore 7 healthy treats for cats - from the best wet and dry cat treats to healthy treats to feed your cat during kittenhood, in their senior years, and while on a budget!

Our top picks for the best healthy cat treats 2023

Best overall

​​Vital Essentials freeze dried cat treats

Can you imagine anything more irresistible to your feline friend than pure, natural, freeze-dried fish? We sure can't! Rest assured, you'll find no artificial ingredients, grains, fillers, or rendered by-products here. Packed with vital nutrients and made with only whole, single-sourced animal or fish protein, these tasty treats from Vital Essentials will give your feline friend the extra nutrition - and the meaty, fishy deliciousness - they crave.

Your kitty can sample a range of tasty flavors including ahi tuna, chicken breast, duck liver, rabbit, and more - and all are made with the Alpha Prey Model in mind: a diet that follows nature's example and uses limited ingredients - just meat, vital organs and bones - to support your cat’s vitality and overall health and wellness. Ok, so it doesn't sound particularly appealing to us, but trust us, your carnivorous kitty will love it! 

Average kcal per treat: 2 kcal/pc

First 5 listed ingredients: minnows (based on the ‘minnows’ flavor). Nothing more, nothing less! 

Best value

Feline Greenies Smartbites

Not only are these tasty treats great value for money (at the time of posting, just $19.98 for a 16-ounce tub), but they're also low in calories - containing less than 2kcals per treat. 

Needless to say, these are pretty much an all-round feline crowd-pleaser (a few shakes of the tub are guaranteed to have your cat running!). Better yet, they're made with all-natural ingredients plus added vitamins and minerals, and are free from artificial flavors, preservatives, and fillers. 

Their fiber blend formula is designed to help support healthy digestion, and the high-quality protein also supports your kitty's muscles. The crunchy exterior and soft, creamy filling is sure to delight feline friends, while the secure lid will keep treats fresher for longer - giving you even more bang for your buck!

Average kcal per treat: Less than 2 calories

First 5 listed ingredients: Chicken meal, animal fat, brewers rice, ground whole wheat, wheat flour (based on the ‘tuna’ flavor)

Best premium

Thrive cat treats 

Not only are these treats from Thrive made from pure meat or fish protein, they contain zero added animal derivatives, preservatives, colors, sugar, flavorings - or any other hidden nasties you could think of! Thrive treats are either air- or freeze-dried to lock in nutrients - and all those tasty, natural scents and flavors that will make your kitty go ga-ga!

Average kcal per treat: Not provided

First 5 listed ingredients: tuna (based on the ‘tuna’ flavor). That's it!

Best cat treat for kittens

Wellness Kittles crunchy natural grain free cat treats

With less than 2 kcals in every treat, these tasty salmon and cranberry flavored treats contain only premium, high quality, natural ingredients, with real meat as the number one ingredient (plus added fruits and veggies). 

Created alongside nutritionists and veterinarians, the ingredients have been carefully selected to support your feline friend's wellbeing. They contain no byproducts, grain, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. An added bonus? The crunchy texture may also help to keep teeth clean! The small bite-size treats are perfect for kittens and cats alike, and for extra peace of mind (and extra fussy felines), they have a ‘catisfaction guarantee' - love it or return it. 

Average kcal per treat: 2 calories

First 5 listed ingredients: Salmon, peas, potatoes, chickpeas, chicken meal (based on the ‘salmon & cranberries’ flavor) 

Best cat treat for seniors

Purizon cat snacks grain-free mix

As our feline friends age, their eating habits (and dietary requirements) naturally change, too. Soft cat treats that are easy to chew, like these from Purizon, are ideal for seniors and even cats with dental issues. 

Rich in protein (min. 41%) and coming in at just 2kcals per treat, these tasty snacks are ideal as a special treat for your senior sidekick. Designed with the carnivorous cat in mind, these natural grain free and gluten free treats are made with only chicken, lamb, beef, or fish and nutrient-rich liver - which Purizon says gives their kitty chow an intense, delicious and natural meaty flavor (we'll take their word for it, though). As well as being low in calories, they contain no artificial flavors or preservatives, taste enhancers or colors - just pure, meaty goodness that cats will love!

Average kcal per treat: 2 calories

First 5 listed ingredients: 26% fresh fish, 17% fresh chicken liver, 15% fresh lamb, 12% fresh chicken breast, 7% fresh beef

Best wet cat treat

INABA Ciao Churu sticks

If cats had only one vice, it'd be this: Ciao Churu sticks. Seriously, if you’ve never witnessed a cat’s reaction to one of these bad boys coming out of the treat cupboard, you’re missing out! 

These Ciao Churu cat treats are healthy, made from responsibly sourced and high-quality, grain free ingredients and without preservatives, colorants, or added sugar. The added green tea extract provides anti-inflammatory effects, and the treats come in fifteen yummy flavors (including some unique flavors your cat is sure to love - such as tuna & clam, chicken & scallop, and tuna & beef - aka, the feline surf and turf!). The soft texture also means they’re a great choice for senior kitties or those with dental issues. 

At 6 calories per treat, they are slightly more calorific than the other picks on our list. But hey, everything in moderation - right? 

Average kcal per treat: 6 calories

First 5 listed ingredients: Water, chicken, tapioca, natural flavors, natural shrimp flavor (based on the ‘chicken & shrimp’ flavor)

Best dry cat treat

Feline Greenies dental treats

Made with all-natural ingredients and added vitamins and minerals, these tasty treats contain no artificial preservatives, flavors or fillers. Accepted by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (and the number 1 veterinary-recommended feline dental treat), the crunchy texture of these tasty treats also helps to clean teeth, reduce tartar buildup, and freshen breath.

As well as doing wonders for your feline friend's pearly whites, at just 2 calories per treat they're also ideal for kitties prone to piling on the pounds (and for pet parents with an inability to say 'no' to those big, pleading eyes...)

Average kcal per treat: Less than 2 calories

First 5 listed ingredients: Chicken meal, ground wheat, brewers rice, corn gluten meal, poultry fat (based on the ‘oven roasted chicken’ flavor)

Meet our veterinary expert, Greg

This article has been checked by veterinarian Dr Greg Steele MA VETMB MRCVS. A mixed vet working in the UK since qualifying from Cambridge University in 2015. Greg enjoys working with all species of animals in all settings, but equally takes pride in communication and education of clients too. He lives with his wife and their cat, and enjoys a variety of sports, gardening, and the great outdoors.

Healthy cat treat recipes

Looking to DIY it instead? Sometimes, you can beat homemade (cat treats, that is!). Made with extra added love, care and attention, your kitty will surely appreciate these healthy homemade cat treat recipes.