By Fabian Barcelo, Founder & Veterinary ScientistVet-reviewed
At Innovet we think a treat should earn its place in the bowl. Most pets will happily take whatever you offer, which means every treat is a small chance to do something good for them, or a small step toward an unbalanced diet. High-protein treats sit firmly in the first camp when they are made well. They reward training, they suit active and working dogs, and they give cats something closer to the meat-rich diet they are built for.
Key takeaways
- Protein is the raw material of muscle, immune function and recovery, and dogs and cats cannot store it, so a steady, good-quality supply genuinely matters.
- A genuinely high-protein treat leads with a named animal protein, keeps the ingredient list short, and tells you the values so you can compare like for like.
- Keep treats to around ten percent of daily energy, break them into small pieces for training, and read protein and fat side by side.
01Why protein matters for dogs and cats
Protein is the raw material of the body. It builds and repairs muscle, supports the immune system, carries oxygen, and forms the enzymes and hormones that keep everything running. Dogs and cats cannot store excess protein the way they store fat, so a steady, good-quality supply through the day genuinely matters, especially for pets that are growing, working, recovering from exercise, or simply busy.
Cats deserve a special mention. Cats are obligate carnivores, which means their bodies are designed to run on animal protein and they have higher baseline protein needs than dogs. A protein-rich treat is often a more natural fit for a cat than a starchy biscuit, and it can be a useful way to add interest to the day for an indoor cat.
Active and working dogs use more energy and put more load through their muscles, so the quality of the protein they take in becomes more important, not less. A treat built around real animal protein supports that recovery far better than a filler-heavy biscuit that is mostly cereal.
02What makes a treat genuinely high in protein
The phrase high-protein is not regulated tightly on pet treats, so the label matters more than the front-of-pack claim. A few things separate a real high-protein treat from a clever wrapper.
A named animal protein first
Look for a specific source such as tuna, chicken or beef at the top of the list, not a vague meat meal or animal derivatives.
Short ingredient lists
The fewer fillers, binders and cereals, the higher the proportion of the treat that is actually doing something useful.
Transparent values
A trustworthy brand tells you what is in the treat and in what amount, so you can compare like for like instead of guessing.
Single-protein options
If your dog or cat reacts to certain proteins, a treat built around one clear source is much easier to manage.
At Innovet, we hold our ingredients to human-food standards for quality and consistency, and we list key actives clearly so you can choose with your eyes open. That transparency is the point. A high-protein treat should be something you can verify, not just something you are told.
03Protein content and fat: reading the whole label
High protein and healthy do not automatically go together. Some protein-rich treats are also high in fat, which can be an issue for less active pets, for breeds prone to weight gain, or for any animal with a history of pancreatitis or fat sensitivity. The goal is protein doing the heavy lifting, with fat kept sensible.
When you compare options, read the protein and the fat figures side by side, and think about your individual pet. A lean working kelpie and a settled senior house cat have very different needs. If your pet has a medical condition or is on a prescribed diet, treat choices should be checked with your vet before you change anything.
04Using high-protein treats for training without overfeeding
The ten percent rule
Treats top up, they do not take over
Treats should make up no more than around ten percent of your pet's daily energy intake. The rest should come from a complete, balanced diet. Training is where high-protein treats shine, because a reward pets find genuinely exciting makes learning faster and calmer. The trick is keeping the rewards small and accounting for them.
- Follow the ten percent rule. Treats should make up no more than around ten percent of your pet's daily energy intake. The rest should come from a complete, balanced diet.
- Break treats into smaller pieces. For training, a pet cares about frequency, not size. One treat can become four or five rewards.
- Adjust the main meal slightly on big training days. If you have done a long session, trim the dinner portion a little to keep the day balanced.
- Use protein treats for the moments that matter. Recall, vet handling and nail trims are worth a high-value reward. Everyday calm can be marked with praise.
For cats, the same logic applies in miniature. A few protein-rich pieces can turn a clicker session or a food puzzle into a real highlight, and they give an indoor cat a reason to move and engage.
05Where BoostBites+ fits
We built BoostBites+ as a protein-rich tuna treat for both cats and dogs, made in Australia to human-grade standards. The idea was simple: a treat that pets find irresistible, made from ingredients we are happy to show you, so reward time also does something useful. Because it suits both species, it is a tidy option for multi-pet homes where you would rather not juggle a separate jar for the cat and the dog.
As with any treat, BoostBites+ is there to complement a complete and balanced diet, not replace it. Used in sensible amounts, a high-protein treat is one of the easiest upgrades you can make to your pet's day.
Frequently asked questions
Are high-protein treats good for dogs?
For most healthy dogs, yes, when they are used in moderation alongside a complete and balanced diet. Protein supports muscle, recovery and overall condition, which makes protein-rich treats a good fit for active and working dogs in particular. Keep treats to around ten percent of daily intake. If your dog has kidney concerns or another medical condition, check with your vet first.
Can cats eat high-protein treats?
Cats are obligate carnivores and naturally need more animal protein than dogs, so a protein-rich treat is often a sensible choice for them. Keep portions small, since cats are smaller and their daily energy needs are lower than most dogs.
Will high-protein treats make my pet gain weight?
Not on their own. Weight gain comes from total energy intake over time, not from protein specifically. Count treats as part of the daily total, keep pieces small, and adjust meals slightly on heavy treating days.
How many treats a day is too many?
A useful rule is the ten percent guideline: treats should make up no more than about ten percent of your pet's daily energy. For training, break treats into smaller pieces so you can reward often without overfeeding.
What is the difference between a high-protein treat and a protein supplement?
A treat is a small reward given in addition to meals, while a supplement is designed to add specific nutrition to the diet. High-protein treats are about quality reward moments. If you are considering a dedicated supplement, talk to your vet about whether your pet needs one.
Protein-rich rewards, made the clean way
BoostBites+ is a human-grade, tuna-based treat that both cats and dogs love, with nothing to hide on the label.
Shop BoostBites+Human-grade · Australian-made
