Cat Treats
Not a Meal Replacement

Cat Treats should be just that - a treat. Human or animal, we all enjoy an occasional treat. Our feline friends are no different and as responsible pet owners we need to ensure that we limit the consumption of treats. An occasional treat will do no harm, but treats should never replace or substitute a well balanced diet.

A cat treat can be given in certain circumstances:

• A treat may assist with the administration of medicine i.e. to conceal the tablet.
• Some treats have a dual function. They aid in the treatment and prevention of dental plaque and tartar whilst others assist as a hairball remedy.
• Treats are a perfect reward during clicker training.
• A convalescent cat may need to be enticed to eat and a cat treat may assist in encouraging the cat to eat.

Cat treats are not expected to deliver a cats daily nutritional requirements and as such should not be used as a meal replacement. They should however contain good quality ingredients. For full details visit our cat food and cat nutrition information pages.

A cat's digestive system is not designed for a diet rich in carbohydrates and plant matter. Their digestive juices and enzymes assist in breaking down meat and bones. Naturally food intended for human consumption is not suited for cats.

Cat 'Treats' to be Avoided

Dairy Products

We have all grown up to believe that cats love cow's milk. The truth is that many cats do have lactose intolerance. They lack the enzyme lactase that assists with the digestion of cow's milk and this results in diarrhea. Interestingly, kittens do have this enzyme and can be given cow's milk in limited amounts. Yogurt in small amounts is allowed as it assists with the maintenance of intestinal flora. Cheese on the other hand is not tolerated.

Chocolate

Cats have no appreciation for or the ability to taste sweetness. Apart from this, chocolate contains theobromine which is a compound which cats (and dogs) are unable to metabolize. The ingestion of chocolate may cause nausea, vomiting and in severe cases it stimulates the central nervous system, increases heart rate and may result in seizures (fits) and death. The more pure a chocolate is the more dangerous it is likely to be.

Dog Food

Commercial dog foods have been specifically formulated for canine nutrition. Canine food has insufficient proteins and taurine, the later being an essential amino acids which cats produce in insufficient amounts. Canine food is not nutritionally balanced for cats and feeding your cat dog food will result in life-threatening nutritional deficiencies. Similarly canines should not be fed feline food.

Garlic and Onion

Garlic and onion contain disulfides and sulfoxides which damage red blood cells. Red blood cells carry hemoglobin which is the oxygen carrying component of blood. It therefore stands to reason that reduced red blood cells and reduced oxygen to organs will result in severe health problems and possibly even death. Feeding your cat a single meal containing garlic and onions will not have a detrimental effect, but long term use will.

Canned Human Tuna

This is a favorite treat of many cat owners. Canned human tuna if given as an occasional treat is not considered harmful. It should never be a substitute for a well balanced diet. Canned tuna is high in salt and has a high mercury content which can result in poisoning.

Grapes and Raisins

There is a compound in grapes (and raisins) which experts have yet to identify. When ingested it causes kidney damage and renal failure in cats

Green Tomato, Potato & Egg Plant

Green tomatoes (or unripe tomatoes), raw potatoes and eggplant contain a toxic alkaloid called solanine. Solanine is thought to affect the mitochondria of cells. Ingestion of these 'foods' (and solanine) causes gastrointestinal (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) and neurological side effects and eventually organ failure and death.

Alcohol and Caffeine

It stands to reason that all products and foods containing caffeine (e.g. coffee) and alcohol should not be fed to cats.

Fish Bones, Poultry Bones or Meat Bones

We refer to whole bones, not ground bone meal. Bones may cause gastric obstruction or could pierce the digestive tract.

Raw Fish, Raw Meat & Raw Eggs

Raw food may be contaminated with E.Coli and Salmonella which will cause severe gastrointestinal side effects i.e. nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Egg whites contain avidin, a protein which binds with biotin (Vit B7) and decreases the absorption of this vitamin resulting in hair loss, skeletal deformity and growth retardation.

Raw fish lacks sufficient thiamine (Vit B1). A deficiency of this water soluble vitamin will result in cardiovascular and peripheral nervous system conditions.

Table Scraps and Fat Trimmings

Both are of little nutritional value to cats. Excessive intake of fatty foods like fat trimmings can cause pancreatitis.

There are many more so-called 'cat treats' that are not suitable for cats. Our list covers the most common 'treats'. Some are unlikely to cause a problem if a single meal or dose is given, whilst others will result in immediate ill health.

Commercial Treats For Your Cat

There are a plethora of commercial feline treats out there. Our listing of the brands below in no way implies that we endorse or recommend any of these products. Shoppers are advised to read the product labels, review the ingredients and to evaluate the claims of all commercial cat foods and cat treats and make an informed decision.

Greenies Cat Treats

Pounce Cat Treats

Beefeaters Freeze Dried Natural Cat Treats

Whiskas Temptations

Friskies Party Mix Cat Treats

Homemade Treats

Homemade treats are certainly a healthy alternative to commercial cat treats, but probably not as convenient. As treats will not replace a cats normal well balanced diet and treats will only be offered occasionally and in small bite-size morsels, there is no harm in rewarding your cat with any of the following homemade treats:

• Natural Beef Jerky - strips of beef that have been trimmed of fat, very lightly salted and allowed to sun dry.
• Baked de-boned Chicken Strips
• Baked de-boned, de-scaled and de-skinned Fish Fillets

• Natural yogurt 1 - 2 teaspoons
• Tinned Tuna in brine (water) 1 - 2 teaspoons