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Kitten treats are great for training your little furball, introducing new toys and experiences, or simply adding fun to your kitten’s playtime. And, of course, It’s tempting to give your kitten treats just as a reward for being so darn cute.
Keep in mind that kitten treats are best dispensed in moderation. According to WebMD, they should make up no more than 10% of your cat’s daily calorie intake.
Fortunately, some kitten treats are great for a growing cat’s health; they’re packed with healthy protein and are low in calories. Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they need certain nutrients—like taurine and vitamin B12—available only from animal protein. So when choosing treats for your kitten, look for tasty protein-based bites that are formulated especially for cats.
Your Best Bets for Kitten Treats
To give your kitten a healthy and enjoyable start on life, check out some of these nutritious kitten treats. From crunchy bites to lickable pastes, you’re sure to find something that will delight your kitten.
Cat-Man-Doo Extra Large Dried Bonito Flakes
Walk through any fish market in Japan and you’ll see barrels of dried bonito (tuna) flakes, to be used in savory sauces and garnishes. Cat-Man-Doo brings these flakes, which are high protein with zero additives or preservatives, to your little koneko. Tuna is a natural source of taurine, essential for your kitten’s health. Few cats (or dogs) can resist!
Shop on ChewyWellness Kittles Grain-Free Salmon and Cranberries Treats
These kitten-sized crunchy salmon treats help clean your kitten’s teeth. They’re less than two calories per treat and free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. Want variety? Kittles come in other flavors including chicken, tuna, duck, and turkey, all in 2-ounce or 6-ounce bags.
Shop on ChewyBlue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken and Turkey Cat Treats
Made in the U.S. with chicken and turkey as the first ingredients, these moist bits are a great treat choice to get your kitten purring. And if fish isn’t a favorite for your cat, check out the chicken and turkey treats.
Shop on ChewyInaba Churu Lickable Treats
If your kitten is a little shy, these tubes of deliciousness may entice them to come out of their shell! Churu purées come in a squeezable packet that’s perfect for doling out dabs as a wonderful reward, a food topper, or a great way to entice your kitten to eat mix-in medications. The tuna and salmon flavor treats are available in packs of four or 24 5-ounce tubes.
Shop on ChewyBuddy Biscuits Grain-Free Tender Kitten Treats
Chicken is the first ingredient in these tender kitten treats. They have no artificial flavors or colors. The soft texture means you can easily break them into pieces for small kitten mouths. These come in 3-ounce, resealable bags for convenience.
Shop on ChewyGreenies Feline SmartBites Chicken Kitten Treats
Greenies aren’t just for hiding pills! The folks who make the delicious pill pockets and dental chews also make these treats that include ingredients like fish oil and ground flaxseed to promote healthy skin and fur. The two-calorie kitten treats (made in Canada) have a crunchy exterior and a moist, savory center.
Shop on ChewyVital Cat Freeze-Dried Minnow Kitten Treats
It doesn’t get more natural than these: They are what the bag says: little fish, freeze-dried, and served up whole. You’ll likely see your kitten play with these little fish before devouring them. Check out other Vital Essentials freeze-dried treats too, made with rabbit, chicken giblets, duck liver, chicken breast, chicken hearts, wild salmon, and ahi tuna.
Shop on ChewyWellness Core Simply Shreds Chicken Topper
This gravy-rich food topper isn’t marketed as a treat, but we’ve discovered it works like one! If your kitty is exploring textures and flavors, you can entice and reward them with a little spoonful of this all-natural snack. It’s made with just three healthy ingredients: chicken, chicken broth, and water. If your kitten loves wet food, this will be the perfect treat.
Shop on ChewyTiki Cat Stix Tuna Mousse Kitten Treats
Mousse for a kitty? Ooh-la-la! These grain-free, creamy, lickable treats come in individual packets (in packs of six or 12) for freshness, and there are several flavors, including duck, salmon, chicken, and tuna.
Shop on ChewyBlue Buffalo Wilderness Crunchy Kitten Treats
If your kitten is a crunch monster, they’ll go wild for this treat. Inspired by wild cat diets, it features chicken as the first ingredient. These small dry treats are easy to dispense and perfect for training rewards. Try them out in the 2-ounce bag, or get the 12-ounce jar for convenience.
Shop on ChewyWant to Train Your Kitten With Treats?
When it comes to training a kitten (or cat), motivation is the key. Some cats are driven by the opportunity to play with a toy. Others live for praise. Then you have the kitties that will do just about anything for a treat. This PetMD article has lots of tips from cat behaviorists, including this one: “The best time to train your cat is right before mealtime when your cat is most motivated by food.” Makes perfect sense!
