How do you choose the best cat treats for your cat?

What nutrition does your cat need?

First, we should understand the natural nutritional needs of cats. Cats are obligate carnivores. This means they must meet their body's nutritional needs through a large amount of high-quality animal protein. The ideal diet for cats should reflect their natural diet . Taking the nutritional content of mice, which are the natural food of cats, as an example, it is clear that cats require a high meat content, moderate fat content, low carbohydrate content, and plenty of water.

• High protein content : The main ingredient in cat food should be high-quality animal protein, such as chicken, duck, fish, or beef. These ingredients provide cats with essential amino acids , support their metabolism, and maintain muscle health.

• Moderate fat content : Fat plays an important role in cats' taste. A moderate amount of animal fat provides cats with energy and aids digestion. It is an important source of nutrition for cats. However, a high fat content can also pose a risk to the cat's health.

• Low carbohydrate content : The natural diet of wild cats contains almost no carbohydrates. Because feline physiology cannot efficiently metabolize excess sugar , you should choose a cat food that contains as few carbohydrates as possible.

The right amount of fiber helps cats get rid of fat in their blood vessels . A deficiency can lead to problems like constipation. Water is very important for cats. Ensure there is always plenty of clean water available.

What cat treats are there?

Below are some of the most popular cat treats on the market and the characteristics of the different treats are explained:

Dried cat treats

Dried cat treats are produced using hot air drying, a technique widely used in cat food production. The principle is simple: You increase the temperature and use hot air to evaporate the water in the food. This extends shelf life and makes storage easier. Compared to other drying methods such as freeze-drying, this method is more cost-effective. These snacks are typically high in protein and made from animal ingredients such as chicken and fish, which meets the nutritional needs of cats as carnivores. Most high-quality dried treats contain no artificial additives. Their hard texture helps clean teeth and strengthen chewing muscles.

Tips:

1. Some products contain a large number of artificial additives, and excessive consumption can harm the health of cats.

2. Some low-quality products may be mixed with a lot of vegetable protein that does not meet the nutritional needs of cats.

3. Studies have shown that traditional methods such as air-drying at high temperatures can lead to the loss of certain nutrients (e.g., vitamins and unsaturated fatty acids). Freeze-drying technology, on the other hand, can better preserve the nutrients in foods.

Freeze-dried cat treats

Freeze-dried snacks are produced using freeze-drying technology . This involves vacuum-drying fresh food at extremely low temperatures. This preserves more nutrients and the original flavor, which is better than traditional processing methods. Freeze-dried foods retain similar nutritional value to the original ingredients . At the same time, the risk of pathogens associated with raw meat is reduced. Freeze-dried treats have a high protein content , typically between 30% and 90%, which can help meet cats' high protein needs. High-quality freeze-dried products have a low carbohydrate content, some even close to zero. This corresponds to cats' natural needs as carnivores.

Freeze-dried products generally do not contain artificial additives such as colorings, preservatives, or flavor enhancers, which can be harmful to cats. Additionally, large pieces of freeze-dried cat treats can also help cats strengthen their chewing muscles.

Tips:

1. Some brands of freeze-dried food are not made with fresh ingredients or scraps and have relatively low nutritional value. Pay attention to the meat content in the ingredient list.

2. Freeze-drying is a relatively expensive production process, which leads to a relatively high market price.

3. Freeze-dried cat treats can be eaten directly by cats and can also provide additional moisture through rehydration.

Creamy Snacks

Creamy Snacks are easy for cats to lick and digest, with a high water content and a soft texture. The high moisture content helps cats drink enough water and is suitable as a training reward or cat treat during daily feeding. The soft texture is easy to swallow and is especially suitable for cats of all ages. The fat in Creamy Snacks usually comes from meat and oils such as chicken or fish oil, which provides the necessary energy and enhances the taste of the snack. Various nutrients such as taurine , lysine, and arginine are often added during the production of Creamy Snacks. These amino acids are essential for cats' health, and taurine in particular is important for their eyesight and heart function.

Tips:

Some creamy snacks have low protein content, and sugar is added to increase palatability. Check the ingredients list when purchasing.

1. Some creamy snacks contain additives such as flavor enhancers and humectants. However, too many chemical additives can be harmful to cats' health.

2. Creamy snacks with a high fat content can lead to obesity.

Dairy treats

Dairy cat treats have the lactose removed because most adult cats cannot digest the lactose they contain. This can lead to digestive problems. Studies show that cats prefer foods with high fat content and strong flavors . Fats enhance the taste of dairy products, making them particularly attractive to cats.

Tips:

1. If your cat likes dairy products, it is best to choose low-lactose or lactose-free products that are specifically designed for cats.

2. Goat's milk has a lower lactose content and the fat particles are smaller, making it easier for cats to absorb

3. Fermented dairy products like yogurt can improve digestion in cats thanks to the probiotics they contain.

How do you choose cat treats?

Good cat treats should meet two requirements: They should be healthy and tasty . Looking at the ingredients list, the most important criteria are clear: They must have a high meat content and be free of additives . When it comes to the palatability of the treat, there's room for trial and error. You can start with your cat's eating habits and find out their favorite flavor.

🐾 Understand the types of cat treats

There are two main types of cat treats:

• Complementary feed : suitable as a reward or for use in combination with the main feed.

• Single feed : These products contain only a single ingredient, such as pure chicken, beef, or fish. They are usually made from natural ingredients without additives or preservatives.

🐾 Meat! Meat! Meat!

Cats need plenty of meat to maintain their energy levels because they cannot produce amino acids themselves , and a deficiency of these amino acids is fatal for cats. It can lead to heart, vision, and toxicity problems in cats.

Make sure meat like chicken, beef, or fish is listed first on the ingredients list . Don't be fooled by grains in cat treats—cats' bodies need high-quality animal protein !

🐾 Transparent ingredients

Cat treats with artificial preservatives or too many additives can irritate your cat's digestive system . Try to choose cat treats that are free of sugar , grains, glue, dyes, gluten, attractants, or preservatives.

Personal recommendations and advice

Based on the nutritional needs and palatability of cats, we recommend the following two healthy cat snacks:

RumbleBox - Freeze-dried chicken pieces

• No additives and with a high meat content, ideal for almost all cats, especially those with food allergies.

• Freeze-dried snacks made from whole pieces of meat.

• When rehydrated, they taste similar to fresh meat.

• When not rehydrated, they offer a crunchy texture that makes eating enjoyable.

• Supports dental care through chewing.

RumbleBox - Creamy snack with salmon : 

• 70% salmon content in the Creamy Snacks covers your cat's daily nutritional needs.

• Fish oil and eggs promote a healthier, shinier coat.

• Consider your cat's age, weight and health when choosing snacks.

• Recommended for cats from six months for better digestion.

• Snacks should make up less than 10-15% of your daily calorie intake to avoid obesity.

What cat snacks do you usually choose? Do you have any recommendations or experiences you'd like to share? Feel free to share your thoughts or ask questions if you'd like to know something! If you like this article, remember to share it with other cat lovers!