There is a variety of cat treats available in the market. However, not all of them are safe for your cats in the long run. Make sure you do your research and determine what’s best for your cat. To help you, here are some tips regarding what to look for while buying cat treats.
Decide the amount
- Think of how often you give your cat treats.
- Treats aren’t well balanced in nutrition like a meal is. Pampering your cat with treats is not a good idea.
- Hogging treats can result in weight gain and obesity.
- Not more than 10% of your cats daily calories should come from cat treats.
Always take a vet’s advice
- A cat may have various underlying conditions and allergies.
- Some cats need special diets due to their natural body state, which can restrict the variety of treats you can give them.
- If you’re planning on buying a new type of treat or changing a cat’s diet, always consult a vet first.
Stay away from artificial sweeteners
- Artificial sweeteners are not good for humans, let alone pets whose bodies and senses are much more sensitive than humans.
- Many cat treats contain sugars, corn sugar, added sweeteners, and added colors.
- These aren’t good for your cat, as they can lead to diabetes and obesity.
- Worse still, cats cannot taste these sweeteners, making it pointless.
- These treats include artificial flavors and preservatives.
- Preservatives can destroy your cat’s immune and digestive system.
- Some ingredients that you must avoid at all costs are:
- BHT and BHA: They are carcinogenic to animals but are still widely used in many cat food products.
- Artificial dyes: They are unnecessary toxic ingredients as they exist only to attract the human eye as cats won’t even notice the color. They are carcinogenic to both cats and humans.
Avoid added sodium
- Added salt and sodium is not recommended in cat treats as they cause dehydration in cats.
- Some cats are already prone to dehydration without having added sodium in their diet. This can lead to the formation of kidney stones, which can cause them pain.
Avoid by-products
- Meat meals may have by-products that are sometimes used to make cat treats.
- These by-products include parts of the animal carcass such as bones, viscera, and eyes, which is unfit for human consumption.
- These products can negatively affect the health of a cat.
