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If your cat is carrying a few extra pounds, you don’t have to give up treats. You have to choose them carefully and count them. This guide explains what makes a treat “diet-friendly”, how many your cat can have each day, and which types of treat fit a weight-management plan.
What makes a cat treat good for weight loss?
- Low calories per piece. Look for the kcal-per-treat figure on the bag. Small pieces you can break in half are easier to portion.
- High protein, few fillers. Cats are obligate carnivores. Single-ingredient meat or fish treats deliver protein without the starches and sugars found in many crunchy treats.
- Short ingredient list. One to three recognisable ingredients make it easy to know exactly what your cat is eating, which also helps cats with food sensitivities.
- Strong flavour. A treat your cat loves means one small piece is enough of a reward.
How many treats can a cat on a diet have?
Veterinary nutrition guidelines recommend that treats make up no more than 10% of your cat’s daily calories. An average indoor adult cat eats roughly 200 kcal a day, so that is a treat budget of about 20 kcal. For a cat on a weight-loss plan, your vet may set a lower total, so ask them for your cat’s daily calorie target and subtract treat calories from their main meals.
Best types of diet cat treats
1. Freeze-dried single-ingredient treats
Freeze-drying removes water while keeping the meat’s protein, so you get a light, crunchy treat made from nothing but chicken, fish or beef. Pieces crumble easily, which makes them ideal for portioning or sprinkling over a meal as a topper. Options include Chef Kitty® freeze-dried treats (our sister brand), PureBites freeze-dried chicken breast and Vital Essentials freeze-dried treats.
2. Lickable purée treats (in measured amounts)
Lickable treats are high in moisture, which helps with hydration, and one tube can be split across several rewards. Check the calories per tube and squeeze out only part of it at a time.
3. Dental treats
Crunchy dental treats such as Greenies Feline do double duty for oral health. They usually contain grains or starches, so count them carefully and keep them as a small part of the daily treat budget.
Treats to limit on a diet
- Crunchy treats with fillers, sugars or coatings near the top of the ingredient list
- “Party mix” style bags that are easy to over-pour
- Human food scraps, especially cheese, fatty meats and anything seasoned
Tips for using treats during weight loss
- Break treats into smaller pieces. Cats care more about the reward than its size.
- Use treats in puzzle feeders or toss them for your cat to chase, so treat time is also exercise time.
- Pre-portion the day’s treats into a small container so everyone in the household shares one budget.
- Weigh your cat every 2–4 weeks. Healthy feline weight loss is gradual, and crash dieting is dangerous for cats.
The bottom line
The best diet cat treats are simple, high-protein and easy to portion, and freeze-dried single-ingredient treats tick all three boxes. Whatever you choose, keep treats under 10% of daily calories and plan your cat’s weight loss with your veterinarian. For more on feeding, see our guides to the best dry cat food and best freeze-dried cat treats.
