Serving cat treats is a lovely way to build a stronger bond with your pet. If you're a new cat parent, knowing how much and how often to feed cat treats can be a tricky topic. To avoid issues like overfeeding and to help your cat maintain a healthy weight, we’ll look at how many treats your cat can have, how often you can offer them, and discuss tips on healthy treat feeding habits.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Treats should make up only 5-10% of your cat's daily calorie intake.
  • Too many treats can contribute to obesity, digestive upset, and poor nutrition.
  • Follow the feeding guidelines on the pack and speak to your vet if you're unsure how many treats are appropriate for your cat.

How Many Cat Treats Are Too Many? 

There isn’t a universal number since cat treats can have different nutritional profiles. The number of treats your cat can have also depends on factors such as their age, weight, activity level, and overall health. For example, a highly active cat may have different calorie needs from a less active cat or one that needs help maintaining a healthy weight.

 

For most healthy cats, the rule of thumb is that treats should make up no more than 10% of your cat’s daily calorie intake. Store-bought cat treats include feeding recommendations on the pack, which you can use as a starting point. However, if your cat starts gaining excess weight, leaves their regular meals unfinished, or experiences digestive upset such as vomiting or diarrhea, it may be a sign that you need to cut back on treats.

Can Too Many Cat Treats Be Harmful? 

Yes. Giving your cat too many treats can add excess calories to their diet, contribute to weight gain, cause digestive upset, and reduce their appetite for their main meals. Because many treats are complementary rather than complete and balanced, overfeeding can also affect the overall balance of your cat’s nutrition.

  • Too much human food

    Some pet parents tend to serve whole foods as snacks, but human food is not always suitable for cats. Some foods may be high in calories, salt, or fat, and regularly feeding them can affect the balance of your cat’s diet even when served in small amounts. Certain human foods can also be difficult for cats to digest or even unsafe for them to eat. In this case, it’s best to stick to treats specially formulated for cats.

  • Too many commercial cat treats

    Commercial cat treats are specially formulated for cats and can be enjoyed as part of their routine, but portions still matter. Giving too many biscuit treats or puree treats can add unnecessary calories or leave your cat less interested in their main meals.

How Often To Give Cat Treats?

Cat treats can be given daily as long as they are served in moderation and fit within your cat’s overall diet. Rather than focusing only on how often you give treats, pay attention to how much your cat receives throughout the day and follow the feeding guide on the pack.

 

For example, the feeding guide for WHISKAS® Creamy Treats recommends 1–3 sachets per day for cats weighing 1–3 kg and 3–4 sachets per day for cats weighing 3–5 kg. Remember that different treats have different serving recommendations, so always check the pack before feeding.

  • When feeding the maximum number of treats

If you’re planning to give your cat the max recommended number of treats, consider using some of them as rewards during playtime, training, or enrichment activities. This helps make treat time more engaging while keeping your cat curious and active. For example, dry treats can be placed in puzzle feeders, while creamy treats can be offered during or after a play session as a tasty reward.

  • When not to treat

Consider cutting back if your cat starts gaining excess weight, leaves their regular meals unfinished, or is already receiving treats from several people in the household. It’s also best to avoid giving a treat every time your cat meows, scratches, or asks for food, as they may learn that these behaviors earn them a reward.

How Many Treats A Day Can You Give A Kitten?

Kittens can enjoy treats once they are fully weaned onto solid food and as long as the treat is suitable for their age. Because kittens are still growing, complete and balanced kitten food should remain the main source of their daily nutrition, with treats making up no more than 10% of their daily calorie intake.

 

Treats can be especially useful for rewarding good behavior, supporting training, or creating positive experiences as your kitten grows. Always check the feeding guide and age recommendation on the pack, and speak to your veterinarian if you’re unsure how many treats are appropriate for your kitten

Treat Smart, Treat Happy

Treats can be a fun way to reward your cat, support training, and strengthen your bond. The key is moderation, since too many treats can add unnecessary calories and upset the balance of your cat’s diet. By keeping treats as a small part of a complete and balanced diet and following the recommended feeding guidelines, you can help keep your cat happy, healthy, and ready for every adventure. For more advice on cat health, nutrition, and everyday care, explore the WHISKAS® blog.

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