In this guide
Shake the bag and your cat appears out of nowhere. Treats are one of the easiest ways to bond, train and make the less fun moments (brushing, the carrier, nail trims) easier. The catch: calories add up fast, and most treats are not a complete food.
Quick answer: keep treats under 10% of daily calories, as the WSAVA recommends — about 22 kcal a day for a healthy 8.8 lb (4 kg) adult cat. Subtract that from the main food and choose treats with calories on the label. Temptations (under 2 calories per treat, per the brand) is easy to count; INABA Churu (6 calories per tube, per the brand) works for hand-feeding and distraction — always within the daily allowance.
How many treats a day#
The WSAVA (World Small Animal Veterinary Association) recommends that treats, snacks and chews stay under 10% of daily calories. The Cornell Feline Health Center uses a similar rule of 10–15%. WSAVA’s table for a healthy adult cat at ideal weight:
| Cat weight | Daily treat calorie limit (WSAVA) |
|---|---|
| 2.5 kg (≈5.5 lb) | 18 kcal |
| 3 kg (≈6.6 lb) | 20 kcal |
| 3.5 kg (≈7.7 lb) | 21 kcal |
| 4 kg (≈8.8 lb) | 22 kcal |
| 4.5 kg (≈9.9 lb) | 24 kcal |
| 5 kg (≈11 lb) | 25 kcal |
| 6 kg (≈13.2 lb) | 26 kcal |
| 7 kg (≈15.4 lb) | 28 kcal |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
Pound figures are our conversions of WSAVA’s kilogram values.
In practice:
- Read the calories on the package. If they’re missing, WSAVA suggests asking the manufacturer.
- Subtract from the main food. A cat that got treats needs slightly less food.
- Overweight cat? International Cat Care lists too many treats and human food among the causes of weight gain and recommends cutting back treats and adding play.
- Every cat is different. The table is an average; your vet can calculate your cat’s needs.
Crunchy or lickable?#
| Crunchy (like Temptations) | Lickable tube (like Churu) | |
|---|---|---|
| Portioning | Easy: you can count pieces | Harder: a whole tube is one serving |
| Best for | Training, play, puzzle feeders | Hand-feeding, distraction during handling |
| Watch out | Calories per piece vary by brand | Check how many tubes a day the brand suggests |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
What never to give as a treat#
According to the WSAVA:
- Toxic to cats: onions, garlic, leeks, chives; grapes and raisins; chocolate; xylitol; alcohol and raw yeast dough; coffee, tea and energy drinks.
- Milk and dairy: many cats are lactose intolerant.
- Bones, raw or cooked: risk of injury and obstruction.
- Raw animal-based treats: risk of transmitting harmful microbes. The Cornell Feline Health Center also advises against raw meat as food or treats.
- Wrong size: treats should be a size and shape that won’t cause choking.
If your cat has a medical condition, food allergy or prescription diet, ask your vet before giving any treat.
The treats we picked#
Chosen based on what the listings say (checked Oct 19, 2026). Brand health claims are presented as the manufacturer’s statements, not as proven fact. We left out raw and freeze-dried raw treats because of the WSAVA and Cornell cautions above.
Easiest to count
Temptations Classic Crunchy and Soft Cat Treats, Tasty Chicken, 16 oz
Who it’s for: everyday rewards, training and play, when you want to count how many you gave.
What the listing says (checked Oct 19, 2026):
- Crunchy outside, soft inside; under 2 calories per treat, according to the brand.
- Described as “100% complete and balanced for adult cats” (maintenance).
- 16 oz resealable tub. 4.8 out of 5 from 73,731 ratings, #1 in Crunchy Cat Treats at the time we checked.
Heads-up: the brand says the treats can be used “as a meal.” Even so, for daily feeding we’d stick with a regular complete food and keep treats within the allowance. A 16 oz tub is a lot of treats; close it well.
Check current price on Amazon Specs at the source
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Best lickable
INABA Churu Lickable Cat Treats, 50 tubes, Tuna & Chicken Variety
Who it’s for: hand-feeding, bonding, distraction during grooming, or hiding a pill (if your vet agrees).
What the listing says (checked Oct 19, 2026):
- 0.5 oz tubes, 50 tubes, tuna and chicken variety.
- 6 calories per tube and 91% moisture, according to INABA.
- Made without grains, preservatives, artificial colors or carrageenan; contains taurine and green tea extract.
- 4.9 out of 5 from 13,864 ratings at the time we checked.
Heads-up: a tube is small in calories but it’s still a treat. Health benefits mentioned in the listing are the brand’s claims.
Check current price on Amazon Specs at the source
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Make treats work for you#
- Training and handling: treats help your cat link good things to the cat carrier, the brush and nail trims.
- Play: end a play session with the “prey” caught and a treat — see our interactive cat toys guide.
- Treats aren’t the only way to show love: attention, play and grooming are quality time too, as the WSAVA points out.
Bottom line#
Treats are great for bonding and handling, as long as they stay under 10% of daily calories (about 22 kcal for an 8.8 lb cat, per WSAVA) and don’t replace meals. Temptations is the easiest to count; Churu is handy for hand-feeding. Skip human food, and talk to your vet first if your cat has a health condition. For full meals, see our wet cat food guide.
Frequently asked questions
How many treats can a cat have a day?
The WSAVA recommends keeping treats, snacks and chews under 10% of daily calories — about 22 kcal for a healthy 4 kg (8.8 lb) adult cat at ideal weight. The Cornell Feline Health Center uses a similar 10–15% rule. Count the calories on the package and reduce the main food accordingly.
How many Temptations can I give my cat?
Temptations says each treat is under 2 calories. Using the WSAVA table, a 4 kg (8.8 lb) cat's 22 kcal treat allowance works out to roughly 11 treats a day — if it gets no other treats. That's simple arithmetic, not a feeding instruction; your vet can tailor it.
Are lickable treats like Churu healthy?
INABA says each Churu tube has 6 calories and 91% moisture. That's easy to fit into the treat allowance, but it's still a treat, not a meal. Check the package for how many tubes per day the brand suggests.
What human foods are dangerous for cats?
According to the WSAVA: onions, garlic, leeks and chives; grapes and raisins; chocolate; xylitol; alcohol and raw yeast dough; and caffeine. Many cats are also lactose intolerant, and bones can cause injury or blockage.
Sources
- WSAVA — Feeding treats to your cat (owner guide, PDF)
- Cornell Feline Health Center — Feeding your cat
- International Cat Care — Obesity in cats
- U.S. FDA — “Complete and Balanced” Pet Food
- Amazon.com — Temptations Classic Tasty Chicken, 16 oz (ASIN B00IOTB7PG)
- Amazon.com — INABA Churu, 50 tubes (ASIN B07D323MFZ)
Links open in a new tab. Specs, availability and prices can change after publication — always check the product page before you buy.