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Looking for a way to keep your cat away from your holiday goodies? A great way to do it is with some safe, healthy Christmas cat treats. You can satisfy their appetites for seasonal foods such as turkey, cheese, cranberries, and seafood with these cat-safe snacks. Use these festive goodies for training rewards or tuck them into toys, giving your cat the challenge of hunting for prey (instead of unwrapping your holiday gifts).
Why Give Your Cat Treats?
Tasty treats are a great way to liven up your cat’s day. At my house, everyone gathers for a bedtime treat. We use treats to reward Max, our grouchy Siberian, for allowing us to groom him. Many of our friends use cat treats to introduce their kitties to new toys.
Whether you’re looking for a simple way to reward your cat or you just want to pamper them with a little extra love, cat treats are the way to go. Of course, some are more nutritious than others. If you’re feeding your cat particular treats on a regular basis, check labels for ingredients, calories, and where the treats are manufactured or sourced.
Vets recommend that treats and snacks—whether commercially made or homemade—make up no more than 10 percent of your cat’s total calories. Most of your cat’s diet should be a nutritionally complete cat food.
Whatever your cat’s dietary needs, you’ll be able to find a healthy treat to give for special rewards and comfort. The single-ingredient treats are great for cats with food allergies. If your cat has tartar issues, crunchy dental treats can often help. There are also special treats for kittens—often smaller and easier to nibble.
Christmas Cat Treats for the Festive Feline
We’ve scoured the shelves and the internet to bring you a wide variety of Christmas cat treats, from long-time supermarket-brand favorites to lickable treats and high-protein freeze-dried goodies.
Shameless Pets Crunchy Cat Treats
Your cat will think they’ve raided the holiday buffet table with the luscious flavors in these treats from Shameless Pets. Nevertheless, “More Lobster, Cheese,” “Catnip N Chili,” and “Yam Good Salmon” are natural, low-calorie treats made with tuna and yams, along with some fun flavorings.
Shop on AmazonRemy’s Kitchen Just Turkey Hearts Freeze-Dried Treats
Keep the chocolate turkeys for yourself this Christmas—these real turkey hearts are for the cats. Perfect for training or simply snacking, these freeze-dried turkey hearts are a bite-sized boost of protein, nutrients, and natural flavor. A human-grade treat your cat—and dog—can share!
Buy Now on Chewy Shop on AmazonWellness Kittles Salmon & Cranberries Crunchy Treats
Kitty doesn’t need to dip a paw into your cranberry sauce to enjoy delicious and nutritious cranberries this Christmas. These crunchy cat treats are loaded with real salmon and cranberries. When you reward your cat with these, they’ll be enjoying lots of protein and healthy vegetables. Available in 2-ounce or 6-ounce bags.
Shop on Chewy Shop on AmazonBuddy Biscuits Soft Cat Treats (Turkey & Cheddar)
If your cat goes wild for chewy morsels, these grain-free “biscuits” in holiday flavors of turkey and cheddar should be the perfect treats. The soft texture makes them appealing to cats of all ages, even seniors.
Shop on AmazonINABA Churu Lickable Cat Treats (Chicken with Cheese)
If your cat craves the flavor of cheese, these creamy Churu treats from Inaba are a great Christmas or holiday gift. The mixture of chicken and cheese can be squeezed into a dish or used as a topper for other food. Low-calorie, high-moisture goodies!
Shop on AmazonCat Person Duck and Turkey Dry Food
Here’s a surprise treat your cat can enjoy while you’re roasting the turkey for your own dinner: a high-quality dry cat food that is so delicious our cats think of it as treats! These tiny nuggets with larger “bites” mixed in are high in protein and low in carbs, and they have all the vitamins and protein a cat needs—plus taurine. Because this is a regular cat kibble, you don’t have to worry about over-indulging your cat. Flavors include seasonally appropriate duck & turkey and chicken & turkey. Available in 2-pound bags through Cat Person’s mail-order system.
Shop on Cat PersonMeat Mates, Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Cat Treats, Beef 1.7oz
If you catch kitty eyeing the meatballs or the prime rib, you may be able to decoy them back to their own dish using these meaty cat treats from New Zealand. Meat Mates Meow is made from single-source New Zealand grass-fed, free-range beef (you can also get chicken and lamb treats).
Shop on AmazonFriskies Party Mix Natural YUMS with Pumpkin
It’s well known that many cats love pumpkin! If your cat is a Friskies fan, check out this party mix featuring pumpkin. It’s made with pumpkin and chicken and fortified with vitamins and minerals. A hefty 20-ounce pouch of treats will keep your cat well-supplied—and away from the Christmas pie.
Shop on AmazonPurina Friskies Party Mix Cat Treats
Is your cat a party animal? If so, indulge them with Friskies Party Mix. It comes in several appealing recipes, including California Crunch (made with chicken, plus flavors of turkey and bacon).
Buy Now on Chewy Shop on AmazonVetIQ Minties Dental Cat Treats Salmon Flavor
You won’t find candy canes for cats this Christmas, but you will find dental treats and “mints” that cats adore. We like these crunchy grain-free Minties designed to help reduce tartar buildup and safeguard dental health.
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