The 6 Best Cat Treats of 2026 🐾
Treats should be bribes that don’t sabotage your cat’s diet. We tested dozens. These six are actually worth giving.
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How We Chose
We rated on: ingredient quality (real meat vs. fillers), dental benefit, cat acceptance, value per bag, and calorie density (treats shouldn’t exceed 10% of daily calories).
#1 — Best Overall
Inaba Churu Lickable Treats
The treat Stella would sell us out for.
Why we picked it: Churu is real pureed chicken/tuna in a squeeze tube. Low calorie, high moisture, no fillers. Perfect for hiding medication.
Pros: ✅ Real meat puree ✅ Low-calorie ✅ Adds moisture ✅ Great for medication ✅ Universal appeal
Cons: ⚠️ Tubes add up cost-wise ⚠️ Single-use packaging waste ⚠️ Messy if squeezed wrong
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.9/5 — Highly Recommended.
#2 — Best Dental
Greenies Feline Dental Treats
Crunchy treats that clean teeth — VOHC-approved.
Why we picked it: Greenies is the only mass-market treat with Veterinary Oral Health Council approval. Crunchy texture scrapes plaque. Not a brushing replacement but adjunct benefit.
Pros: ✅ VOHC approved ✅ Plaque reduction ✅ Wide flavor variety ✅ Low-calorie
Cons: ⚠️ Contains grains ⚠️ Some cats don’t love texture ⚠️ Doesn’t replace brushing
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.5/5 — Highly Recommended.
#3 — Best Universal Appeal
Temptations Classic
The treat every cat eats, including the picky ones.
Why we picked it: Temptations isn’t the healthiest — but every cat accepts them. Essential for training, medication bribes, and getting a new cat to trust you.
Pros: ✅ Universal appeal ✅ Cheap ✅ Wide variety ✅ Great for training
Cons: ⚠️ Contains grains and flavor enhancers ⚠️ Lower-quality ingredients ⚠️ Daily use not ideal
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.3/5 — Recommended (occasional, not daily).
#4 — Best Grain-Free
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Treats
Grain-free premium treats for sensitive cats.
Why we picked it: For cats on grain-free diets, Blue Buffalo Wilderness keeps the whole day consistent. Real chicken first ingredient.
Pros: ✅ Grain-free ✅ Real meat first ✅ Multiple proteins ✅ Moderate calorie
Cons: ⚠️ Pricier than grocery treats ⚠️ Not universally loved by cats ⚠️ Small resealable bags
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.2/5 — Recommended.
#5 — Best Freeze-Dried
Wellness Kittles
Premium crunchy treats with minimal ingredients.
Why we picked it: Wellness Kittles uses <10 ingredients. Clean label, decent protein, low calorie.
Pros: ✅ Clean ingredient list ✅ Grain-free options ✅ Low calorie ✅ Multiple flavors
Cons: ⚠️ Smaller bags ⚠️ Pricier per ounce ⚠️ Less universally exciting
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.1/5 — Recommended.
#6 — Best Natural
Bonito Flakes
Single-ingredient: dried fish flakes.
Why we picked it: Bonito flakes are literally just dried fish. One ingredient. Cats go feral. Sprinkle on food or hand-feed.
Pros: ✅ Single ingredient ✅ High protein ✅ Meal topper OR treat ✅ Long shelf life
Cons: ⚠️ Strong fishy smell ⚠️ High sodium ⚠️ Messy
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 3.9/5 — Recommended (occasional).
FAQ
How many treats per day?
Max 10% of daily calories. For an average 10-lb cat: 20-25 calories of treats daily.
Can treats cause weight gain?
Absolutely. Overdoing treats is the #1 cause of pet obesity.
Our Final Purr-spective
Churu for daily use. Greenies for teeth. Temptations for training bribes. Blue Buffalo grain-free. Wellness Kittles clean label. Bonito flakes natural topper.
— From our cats to yours 🐾