By Fabian Barcelo, Founder & Veterinary Scientist
Vet-reviewed
Cat treats are often overlooked, tucked into a small corner of the pet aisle, but they deserve the same care as anything else your cat eats. The right treat is a tasty reward, a bonding tool and even a gentle protein top-up. At Innovet, we approach cat treats with the same standards as our other pet supplements, so here is how to choose and use healthy treats for cats.
01What makes a good cat treat
A good cat treat starts with the same thinking as a good meal. Look for a treat led by a named meat or fish protein, made from clean, recognisable ingredients, and ideally human-grade. Small size matters too, since cats are little and treats should stay a minor part of the day.
Named meat or fish protein
The first ingredient should be a clearly named protein such as tuna, chicken or salmon, not a vague meat blend.
Clean, recognisable ingredients
You should be able to read the label and recognise every ingredient, with nothing artificial padding it out.
Human-grade quality
Human-grade treats are held to a higher standard, so what you reward your cat with is genuinely good food.
Small size
Cats are little, so small pieces keep treats a minor part of the day and easy to give without overdoing it.
02Protein first for a carnivore
As obligate carnivores, cats thrive on animal protein, so a quality tuna or meat-based treat suits them far better than a carb-heavy option. If you want to understand why this matters, our guide to high-protein nutrition for cats explains how central animal protein is to feline health.
03Keep it in proportion
The 10% rule applies to cats just as it does to dogs, and given their small size that is a tiny amount. A few small treats a day is plenty, so it is easy to reward your cat without crowding out their balanced meals.
04Treats with benefits
Some treats do more than reward. BoostBites+ offers a protein-rich tuna treat suitable for cats and dogs, while GlowBites+ focuses on skin and coat support, so the everyday reward can quietly do a little extra good.
05Treats as a tool
Treats are wonderful for coaxing a nervous cat to interact, rewarding good behaviour, adding enrichment, and sometimes helping with handling. For more on how treats fit alongside the rest of a cat's routine, see our cat supplements guide.
Healthy cat treats are simply good nutrition in miniature, the same care you put into meals, shrunk to the size of a reward.The Innovet standard
06What to avoid
A few simple rules keep treats on the right side of healthy. Steer clear of sugary or artificial treats, do not overdo quantity, and never offer foods toxic to cats. If your cat is overweight or has a health condition, ask your vet how treats should fit in.
Choose
- Named meat or fish protein
- Clean, human-grade ingredients
- Small, occasional pieces
- Cat-appropriate options
Skip
- Sugary or artificial treats
- Overdoing the quantity
- Foods toxic to cats
- Carb-heavy fillers
07Good nutrition in miniature
Healthy cat treats are simply good nutrition in miniature. Choose protein-first, human-grade options, keep them small and occasional, and enjoy the bonding they bring.
Frequently asked questions
Are treats bad for cats?
Not at all, in moderation. Quality treats within about 10% of daily intake are a healthy part of life with a cat.
How many treats can a cat have?
Keep them to roughly 10% of daily calories, which for a small cat means just a few small pieces.
What treats are healthy for cats?
Protein-led, human-grade treats made from clean ingredients, ideally small enough to give without overdoing it.
Can cats have dog treats?
Some treats suit both, but cats have specific needs, so choose cat-appropriate options and check with your vet if unsure.
A protein-rich treat cats love
BoostBites+ is a human-grade, tuna-based treat for cats and dogs, made in Australia.
Shop BoostBites+ →Human-grade · Australian-made
