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14 Best Treats For Kittens

You want to purchase healthy kitten snacks, but there are so many brands and types of cat treats on the market that it can be difficult to know what to buy.

BestForPets (bestforpets.org) has reviewed the %product_count% best treats for kittens so you know what you're getting.

While you browse, we'll also provide you with a guide to what to look for when purchasing kitten snacks. These reviews will offer you the confidence you need to buy kitten treats.

Reviews

Best Overall: Blue Buffalo Kitty Cravings Chicken Cat Food
 

  • 23% protein content
  • Yes, natural ingredients.
  • Feature: No corn, wheat, or soy.

Blue Buffalo Kitty Cravings is a holistic, natural treat. These cat treats contain no preservatives or artificial colours.

They have only chicken, rice, barley, oats, and peas as ingredients and no corn, wheat, or soy. These characteristics are what make it our top overall choice for kitten snacks.

The only serious criticism leveled regarding these treats is that not all cats enjoy the flavor.

Pros

  • 100% natural ingredients
  • There will be no corn, wheat, or soy.
  • There are no preservatives or dyes.
  • High protein content

Cons

  • Not all cats enjoy the taste.

 

Whole Life Chicken Cat Treats with Only One Ingredient – Best Value
 

  • 80% protein content
  • Yes, natural ingredients.
  • Fat-free feature

Whole Life Just One Ingredient freeze-dried cat snacks were chosen as the best value for money kitten treats. There is only one ingredient in these treats: freeze-dried chicken. As a result, the protein level is extraordinarily high, at 80%.

The disadvantage of these Whole Life treats (or any freeze-dried treat) is that they crumble readily when broken. They collapse into powder and are difficult to feed.

Pros

  • High-protein
  • Single-ingredient
  • The nutritional value is preserved during the freeze-drying process.

Cons

  • Crush into powder
  • Large portions

 

Cat-Man-Doo Premium Dried Bonito Flakes Cat Food
 

  • 76% protein content
  • Preservative-free natural ingredients
  • Feature: Low calorie intake

The main and only component of Cat-Man-Doo Bonito Flakes is Japanese fish. They’re high in protein and contain taurine, which helps your kitten’s health. They are preservative-free and low in calories, so you can feel good about feeding them.

The main disadvantage of Cat-Man-Doo treatments is their odor. They have a “fishy” odor that rubs off on your hands after you contact them. Your cats will be relentless in their search for the reward if you do not wash your hands.

Pros

  • Single-ingredient
  • Taurine is present.
  • There are no preservatives.
  • Low caloric intake

Cons

  • Thin
  • The odor is really strong.

 

Kitten Treat Bisque Tuna & Chicken Hartz Delectables
 

  • 21% protein content
  • No natural ingredients
  • Feature: No corn, wheat, or soy.

Lickable Bisque Hartz Delectables The top ingredients in kitten snacks are salmon, cod, shrimp, and tuna meal.

They are free of ingredients that can disturb your kitten’s sensitive stomach, and they come in portable, single-serving pouches that you can take with you everywhere you go.

The disadvantage of Hartz Delectables is that certain cats will not enjoy the taste or texture. They’re designed to be extremely creamy for little kittens, but some people find them unpleasant.

Pros

  • Pouches that are portable
  • The main ingredient is fish.

Cons

  • Not every kitten enjoys the texture.

 

Soft Salmon Cat Treats Meow Mix Irresistibles
 

  • 20% protein content
  • No natural ingredients
  • Soft snacks are included.

Meow Mix Irresistibles are cat snacks with only 20% crude protein. This is somewhat lower than the other sweets on our list, but it is still acceptable.

These delicacies’ main ingredients are chicken and salmon. They are soft for easy chewing and come in a convenient, resealable bag to keep them fresh.

Meow Mix treats and meals include BHA, a chemical preservative. It is deemed safe in little amounts, but you may not want to feed it to your kitten. This treat also contains artificial coloring, which some cats may react to.

Pros

  • Reusable containers
  • Soft snacks

Cons

  • BHA is present.
  • Artificial coloring is present.

 

Naked Kitten Health Grain-free Soft Cat Treats are available
 

  • 18% protein content
  • Yes, natural ingredients.
  • Added taurine and omega-3 fatty acids

Become Naked Kitten snacks contain omega fats, which promote healthy skin and coats. They also include taurine, and at only three calories per treat, you won’t have to worry about overfeeding your kitty.

The protein level in these goodies is fairly low, at 18%, so you’ll need to supplement with protein from another source.

Pros

  • Taurine and omega fats are added as supplements.
  • There are only three calories in each treat.
  • Free of corn, wheat, and soy

Cons

  • Protein content is low.

 

Blue Buffalo Cat Treats with Savory Seafood
 

  • 21% protein content
  • Yes, natural ingredients.
  • Crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside; comes in portable pouches

Blue Buffalo Bursts Cat Treats are made primarily of salmon, but they also contain cod and shrimp. They’ve included taurine and omega fats to help with eye and skin health.

Kittens adore the crunchy exterior and soft interior. These goodies are packaged in portable containers to make them convenient to transport.

These cat snacks came in a bag with a lot of broken bits, which was disappointing. There’s also the possibility that your kitten will dislike the flavor.

Pros

  • The main ingredient is salmon.
  • Taurine is present.
  • The surface is crunchy, but the inside is mushy.
  • Pouches that are portable

Cons

  • Not all cats enjoy them.
  • The bag included broken parts.

 

PureBites Natural Chicken Breast Cat Treats, Freeze-Dried
 

  • 74% protein content
  • Yes, natural ingredients.
  • Feature: Raw freeze-dried food

PureBites Natural Freeze-Dried Chicken Breast Cat Treats are a single-ingredient, raw food solution for kitten owners. They don’t spoil like most fresh foods because they’re freeze-dried.

The dish depicted here is for chicken, but there is also one for salmon. The disadvantage of freeze-dried treats is that they crumble. If the bag is crushed, it is frequently half powder.

Pros

  • Single-ingredient
  • Option for raw foods
  • Low caloric intake

Cons

  • Crumbly
  • The pieces are too big for little cats.

 

Tasty Crunchy Natural Cat Treats by Wellness Kittles
 

  • 31% protein content
  • Yes, natural ingredients.
  • Feature: Each goodie contains 2 calories.

At only two calories per treat, the Wellness Kittles Tasty Crunchy Natural Cat Treats are another low-calorie alternative.

These snacks are designed to remove plaque and tartar from your kitten’s teeth. They are made with all-natural components such as potatoes, peas, and chickpeas.

Unfortunately, many cats do not appear to enjoy these treats, thus the flavor may be an issue.

Pros

  • Low-calorie
  • Encourages dental hygiene
  • 100% natural ingredients

Cons

  • Many cats dislike the flavor or only eat it for a short period of time.

 

Cat Food Blue Buffalo Baby Blue Chicken Kitten Crunchies
 

  • 23% protein content
  • Yes, natural ingredients.
  • Feature: Healthy kitten growth formula

Blue Buffalo Baby Blue Chicken Kitten Crunchies Cat Food is designed to encourage healthy growth and development.

These crunchy delights are created with chicken and whole grains then baked in the oven. They include no chemical preservatives or flavors and are devoid of maize, wheat, and soy.

Unlike some of the other snacks on the list, Blue Buffalo Baby Blue Kitten Crunchies appear to be popular with cats. They come with a resealable back to keep them fresh.

With chicken as the main ingredient, some cats may have stomach distress when eating these treats. They are also not suitable for cats with sensitive stomachs.

Pros

  • Recipe for a special kitten
  • 100% natural ingredients
  • Kittens enjoy the flavor.

Cons

  • Can cause allergies and dietary sensitivities
  • Not suitable for kittens with sensitive stomachs.

Finding the Best Kitten Treats: A Buyer's Guide

Kitten snacks’ ingredients

Let’s look at the ingredients you should seek for and those you should avoid while shopping for kitten snacks.

Protein

There’s a reason we discuss so much about protein content in these reviews. Cats, as predatory animals, require a lot of animal protein to stay healthy.

To provide the finest nourishment for your cat, search for snacks containing 35% protein or higher wherever available.

Meat in its entirety

Whole meats are items such as turkey, salmon, or chicken that do not have the phrases meal or by-product connected to them.

Whole meat will be the first listed ingredient in the healthiest treats. It’s not only the healthiest choice for your kitty, but it’s also the type of food they prefer.

Byproducts of meat

Meal and by-product are synonymous phrases for dried and ground meat. These components are used to increase the protein content of animal feeds. They are not toxic to cats, but they should not be the first element on your treat bag.

Fat

While we often associate fat with being unhealthy, it is an essential component of your kitten’s diet. Especially omega fats, which have a high nutritional value.

Most doctors recommend that a kitten’s food contain at least 18-35% fat, however just like people, too much fat is bad for them.

If your kitten’s diet already has enough fat to support its growth and development, you should opt for snacks with fewer calories (there are several recommendations in this article).

A kitten’s diet high in fat can lead to heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and other health issues.

Omega-3 fatty acids

We discussed before how crucial these are for a kitten’s wellbeing. Omega fats help to prevent hyperactivity and constipation. They also support skin and coat health.

Calcium

Calcium is more crucial for kittens than for adult cats because it is a necessary component of good bones and teeth.

This electrolyte is also involved in blood coagulation and the prevention of rickets. Nursing mothers and kittens need a lot of calcium in their diet.

Taurine

Taurine is an amino acid that aids digestion, vision clarity, and pregnancy. Taurine fortification prevents taurine insufficiency.

Ingredients to stay away from

  • Chemical additives, such as TBHQ, BHA, and BHT, are frequently indicated in letters on ingredient lists. The most prevalent chemical found in cat treats is BHA, which has been linked to the development of cancer in animals.
  • Artificial colours can also be harmful to your pet and should be avoided if at all feasible.
  • Corn and soy – Because corn and soy are not naturally included in cats’ diets, they frequently cause gastrointestinal sensitivity. These components have the potential to cause vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, or cramps.

Soft vs. hard kitten treats

Some snacks are crunchy and hard, while others are mushy. Hard treats are highly recommended for cleaning your kitten’s teeth by removing plaque and tartar.

If your kitty like soft treats, there’s nothing wrong with giving them to him every now and then.

How to Give Cat Treats

Treats should not account for more than 10% of your kitten’s calories, according to the recommended norm.

It’s advisable to see your veterinarian for an exact advice, but they’re called “treats” for a reason. They should only be fed as a treat and not as a primary source of nutrition.

Every kitten is different, and one thing they can’t agree on is which goodies they like. It’s not unusual to have to try many brands before finding one that your kitten will eat.

If you have more than one cat, you will most likely need to purchase treats from several brands.

Alternatives to commercially available treats

Vegetables or fruits

You can give your kitty a variety of fruits and veggies as a reward. Apples, bananas, strawberries, watermelon, blueberries, carrots, broccoli, and green beans are among them. All vegetables should be cooked until soft and chopped into small pieces before serving.

Conclusion

When it comes to purchasing snacks for your kitten, the variety available can be bewildering. Blue Buffalo Kitty Cravings is our top pick for the finest overall kitten treat this year.

They’re a nutritious, all-natural option that’ll make you feel good about what you’re feeding your family. BestForPets‘ (bestforpets.org) value option is Whole Life Chicken Cat Treats with Only One Ingredient.

They are perfect for avoiding food allergies as a single ingredient food, and the freeze-dried preparation ensures nutritious quality. We believe that this treat offers the finest value for money.

These evaluations and the buyer’s guide should assist you in your search for the best treats for kittens.

Author Image

Dr. Deborah Fletcher

Deborah R. Fletcher, DVM, is a skilled veterinarian with more than 15 years of experience dealing with companion and exotic animals. She has experience caring for a variety of animals, including household cats and dogs, reptiles, birds of prey, and even primates. Dr. Fletcher is a valuable part of the BestForPets team, where she contributes to their aim of providing pets and their owners with the finest possible treatment and services.

Veterinarian (DVM) Dr. Deborah Fletcher

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