Adding a new kitten to the family can be an exciting time but a bit stressful, too! For one thing, youāll have many decisions to make, from what to name your new pet to which veterinarian to use and whether your kitten will be allowed to sleep with you. You also need to decide what to feed your growing cat, including which treats to offer. Treats can be used as snacks, training rewards, or a way to bond with your kitten. Of course, you also want your kitten to be as healthy as possible, so which treats are the right choices? Here are our picks for the best treats for kittens. Read these reviews and compare your options before choosing the ideal treat to spoil your new baby cat!
A Quick Look at Our Winners of 2024
Image | Product | Details | ||
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Best Overall | Get Naked Biteables Kitten |
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Best Value | Temptations Chicken and Dairy Flavor |
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Premium Choice | Greenies SmartBites Kitten |
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Blue Buffalo Baby Blue Savory |
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Churu for Kittens Chicken Recipe |
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The 10 Best Treats for Kittens
1. Get Naked Biteables Kitten Health Plus Soft Cat Treats ā Best Overall
Protein: | 20% |
Fat: | 14% |
Calories: | 2 kcal/treat |
Our choice for the best overall treats for kittens is the Get Naked Biteables Kitten Health Plus Soft Cat Treats. These treats combine real chicken with other tasty flavors like tuna and cheese. They also provide more than just delicious flavor for your kitten. Theyāre high in protein and contain essential nutrients to support your kittenās growth. Fatty acids, DHA, and amino acids are all present in these treats, and the soft texture makes it easier for tiny mouths to chew the treats. Users reported that the Get Naked Biteables have a strong odor that some cats may find off-putting. They are also not designed to be given to kittens younger than 16 weeks old.
- High in protein
- Easy to chew
- Contains added nutrients to support growth and development
- Not for kittens less than 16 weeks
- Strong odor
2. Temptations Crunchy & Soft Kitten Treats ā Best Value
Protein: | 28% |
Fat: | 21% |
Calories: | 427 kcal/cup |
Our pick for the best kitten treats for the money is Temptations Chicken and Dairy Flavor Crunchy and Soft Kitten Treats. These treats are widely available at most stores and are convenient and affordable for your kitten. Nutritionally complete, Temptations treats also contain DHA and fatty acids to help your kittenās brain develop.
The treats are packed with protein, too. Although they are high in fat, Temptations are less than 2 calories per treat. They are made with chicken by-products, which some cat owners prefer to avoid. These treats are loved by customers, with only a few stating that their cats didnāt like the taste.
- Convenient and affordable
- High in protein
- Contains added nutrients to support brain development
- Well-reviewed by users
- Contains chicken by-products
- High in fat
3. Greenies SmartBites Kitten Crunchy Treat ā Premium Choice
Protein: | 31% |
Fat: | 5% |
Calories: | 8 kcal ME/treat |
Itās never too early to worry about your kittenās dental health, and Greenies SmartBites Kitten Chicken Flavor Cat Crunchy Treat helps get your pet started out right. Since theyāre full of essential vitamins, minerals, and DHA for brain and immune system health, Greenies SmartBites are more than just a tasty treat. The crunchy texture helps clean your kittenās teeth as they chew.
Itās a good idea to get your kitten used to having their teeth brushed, but if youāre struggling with that task, offering Greenies SmartBites is one alternative. These treats are packed with protein but are also high in fat. They are available in a small pouch or larger jumbo-sized can. These treats are slightly more expensive than others on our list, but most kittens seem to enjoy them.
- Designed to clean your kittenās teeth while chewing
- Contains essential nutrients for growth
- High in protein
- Available in a jumbo size
- Not as cost-effective as some options
- High in fat
4. Blue Buffalo Baby Blue Kitten Treats
Protein: | 28% |
Fat: | 12% |
Calories: | 3 kcal/treat |
If youāre looking for a treat with a different flavor, consider Blue Buffalo Baby Blue Savory Salmon Kitten Treats. They contain no artificial flavors or preservatives. Theyāre also made without by-products, soy, corn, or wheat, which some cat owners prefer to avoid. However, if youāre trying to avoid chicken due to potential food allergies, these treats wonāt do the trick since they contain chicken meal.
Blue Buffalo Baby Blue is high in protein and contains essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for immune support. Customers generally liked Blue Buffaloās treats, but some mentioned that the texture is too hard and some kittens may struggle to chew them.
- No artificial flavors or preservatives
- Free of ingredients some owners prefer to avoid
- High in protein
- Made with antioxidants, plus essential vitamins and minerals
- Not allergy friendly
- Hard texture may be difficult to chew
5. Churu for Kittens Puree Grain-Free Lickable Cat Treats
Protein: | 7% |
Fat: | 3% |
Calories: | 4 kcal/tube |
For young kittens who struggle to chew conventional treats, consider Churu for Kittens Chicken Recipe Puree Grain-Free Lickable Cat Treats. These unique tubes of delicious puree can be fed by hand or drizzled on your kittenās food. Theyāre full of moisture and keep kittens hydrated. Churu Lickable Cat Treats are packed with nutrients such as calcium, fatty acids, taurine, and antioxidants.
They contain no artificial flavors or preservatives. Most kittens donāt necessarily need to avoid grains, so check with your veterinarian to ensure these treats are okay before feeding. Churuās treats can also be used to hide medications, but the tubes are not resealable, so you may waste some of the treat if your kitten canāt eat the whole thing.
- Easy for young kittens to eat
- Contains multiple nutrients to support growth and health
- Moisture aids in hydration
- No artificial flavors or preservatives
- Tubes arenāt resealable
- Not all kittens need to eat grain-free
6. Hartz Delectables Bisque Lickable Kitten Treat
Protein: | 8% |
Fat: | 5% |
Calories: | 24 kcal/40 g pack |
Kittens as young as weaning age can enjoy the Hartz Delectables Bisque Tuna and Chicken Lickable Kitten Treat. Available in a convenient 12-pack of pouches, this treat is made with real tuna and chicken. It contains vitamins, minerals, and taurine to support your kittenās healthy growth. The texture is easy for young kittens to eat and adds flavor and nutrition to your kittenās diet.
It can also boost your kittenās hydration due to its high moisture content. The pouch is not resealable, but users reported that unused portions could be refrigerated fairly easily. Although this treat receives positive reviews, some users found that it upset their kittensā stomachs.
- Provides essential nutrients for growth and development
- Easy-to-eat texture
- Helps keep kittens hydrated
- Pouch is not resealable
- May cause upset stomach in some kittens
7. Wellness Kittles Crunchy Natural Grain-Free Cat Treats
Protein: | 31% |
Fat: | 11% |
Calories: | 1 kcal/treat |
As a good option for those who prefer feeding food and treats made with simple ingredients, Wellness Kittles Crunchy Natural Grain-Free Cat Treats, Salmon and Cranberry are designed for kittens and adult cats. They donāt contain the added nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that most treats formulated exclusively for kittens do. However, the crunchy texture helps keep your kittenās teeth clean while eating.
The treats are high in protein, with the lowest fat and calorie content on our list. Wellness treats are free of artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. As mentioned earlier, grain-free food and treats are unnecessary for most kitties, so talk to your vet before feeding these treats.
- Low in fat and calories
- Help clean teeth while chewing
- No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
- Donāt contain essential nutrients
- Grain-free is not necessary for all cats
8. Shameless Pets Crunchy Cat Treats
Protein: | 23% |
Fat: | 5% |
Calories: | 5 kcal/treat |
The Shameless Pets Crunchy Cat Treats have unique ingredients like lobster, cheese, and upcycled sweet potatoes. āUpcycledā seems like a strange term in a kitty treat recipe, but it only means the āmisfitā sweet potatoes are used that usually get rejected.
Tuna and sweet potatoes are the top ingredients, and the recipe includes salmon oil to support healthy skin and fur. Kittens may have less trouble digesting the treats than adults since Shameless Petsā treats contain cheese, and most cats are lactose intolerant. Although some kittens didnāt like the flavor of the treats, most gobbled them up.
- Tuna is the primary protein
- Uses upcycled sweet potatoes
- Contains salmon oil instead of vegetable oil
- Cheese may cause digestive issues
- Some cats disliked the flavor
9. Fruitables Crunchy Treats For Cats
Protein: | 28% |
Fat: | 12% |
Calories: | 25 kcal/treat |
Fruitables Crunchy Treats for Cats are a blend of veggies, fruits, tuna, and chicken, and theyāre suitable for kittens and adult cats. Theyāre free from artificial flavors and colors and contain superfoods like pumpkin and flaxseed. Fruitables are also available in salmon and chicken flavors.
Although itās a tuna-flavored treat with āreal tuna,ā the tuna meal is the fifth ingredient, which indicates that itās less abundant than the other four ingredients. Most cat owners mentioned that their kittens enjoyed the flavor, but itās misleading that the manufacturer promotes the superfoods and tuna, even though theyāre not as prevalent in the recipe.
- Blend of proteins, veggies, and fruit
- No artificial colors or flavors
- Only 1.25 calories per treat
- Tuna isnāt the primary protein
- Pumpkin is the only āfruitā
10. Tiki Cat Baby Soft & Chewy Mini Treats for Kittens
Protein: | 15% |
Fat: | 3% |
Calories: | 3 kcal/treat |
Tiki Catsā Baby Soft and Chewy treats are designed for kittens 6 weeks or older. The pieces are smaller, so young kittens can easily chew them, and chicken is the first ingredient. The DHA in the recipe supports your kittenās development, and unlike other brands, the treats have 30% moisture to keep your kitten hydrated.
The chewy consistency is intended to help teething kittens, but some customers were disappointed that the treats got harder over time, and some kittens could not chem them. However, most cat owners claimed their kittens loved the flavor.
- Smaller pieces are ideal for kittens
- Has more moisture than other brands
- Treats get harder over time
- Fat content too low for kittens
Buyer’s Guide: Picking the Best Treats forĀ Kittens
To help you narrow down your kitten treat options even further, here are some key points to consider.
Nutritional Value
While you donāt expect treats to make up the bulk of your kittenās daily calories, itās still a good idea to look for brands that offer some nutritional value. Most treats formulated for kittens include essential nutrients and added supplements to support growth and development. Some may even be fully nutritionally balanced, but you shouldnāt rely on them for all your kittenās daily needs.
Fat and Calorie Content
Fast-growing kittens donāt have to worry as much about gaining weight as adult cats. However, most treats are higher in fat than kitten food, and even small morsels may contain a lot of calories. If you feed too many, these calories can still add to excess weight gain, especially if you donāt subtract them from your kittenās required daily calorie count.
Texture
The kitten treats we reviewed cover a full range of textures, from crunchy to lick-able puree. Depending on the age and size of your kitten, some textures may be more appropriate than others. For example, small kittens may struggle to chew crunchy treats. At the same time, it may be better for older kittens to eat crunchy treats such as Greenies as part of an early dental health routine.
Conclusion
As our best overall kitten treats, Get Naked Biteables combines an easy-to-chew texture with vital nutrition to support growth and development. Our best value pick, Temptations Chicken and Dairy Flavor, is an affordable, nutritionally balanced kitten treat conveniently available at most stores. While you donāt have to offer your kitten treats, they can be useful for training purposes. Hopefully, our reviews of these kitten treats can help you find the most suitable option to help your growing cat stay healthy and well-nourished.
Featured Image Credit: Marinka-Buronka,Shutterstock
Contents
- A Quick Look at Our Winners of 2024
- The 10 Best Treats for Kittens
- 1. Get Naked Biteables Kitten Health Plus Soft Cat Treats ā Best Overall
- 2. Temptations Crunchy & Soft Kitten Treats ā Best Value
- 3. Greenies SmartBites Kitten Crunchy Treat ā Premium Choice
- 4. Blue Buffalo Baby Blue Kitten Treats
- 5. Churu for Kittens Puree Grain-Free Lickable Cat Treats
- 6. Hartz Delectables Bisque Lickable Kitten Treat
- 7. Wellness Kittles Crunchy Natural Grain-Free Cat Treats
- 8. Shameless Pets Crunchy Cat Treats
- 9. Fruitables Crunchy Treats For Cats
- 10. Tiki Cat Baby Soft & Chewy Mini Treats for Kittens
- Buyer’s Guide: Picking the Best Treats forĀ Kittens
- Conclusion