5 Treats for Cats That Don’t Like Treats

Ask the Vet
Lindsay Butzer, DVM
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Lindsay Butzer
Back to results
Enter Your Information All fields are required

While efforts are made to answer all questions as quickly as possible, if an immediate answer is required or if your pet is in need of urgent or emergency care, contact your pet's veterinarian immediately.

*Please note: Questions submitted and the answers will appear on our website as a benefit to all pet owners. Please make sure not to include any personal information in the box where you enter your question.

Ask the Vet
Lindsay Butzer, DVM
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Lindsay Butzer
Thank you! Your question has been submitted.

You will receive an answer from Dr. Lindsay and our vet/tech team as soon as possible, usually the same day.

All answers are provided for informational or educational purposes only, and are intended to be a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise and professional judgment of your pet's veterinarian.

It may be necessary to consult your pet's veterinarian regarding the applicability of any opinions or recommendations with respect to your pet's symptoms or medical condition.

Close
Ask the Vet
Lindsay Butzer, DVM
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Lindsay Butzer
Oops! Your question has not been submitted.

An error has occurred, please reload the page and try again.

Close
Ask the Vet
Got questions? Ask Our Vet Team:

While efforts are made to answer all questions as quickly as possible, if an immediate answer is required or if your pet is in need of urgent or emergency care, contact your pet's veterinarian immediately.

Do these answer your question?
Showing of | See All
Have another question, or can’t find your answer?
Submit your question
We're Sorry!

There is no answer related to your question

Can’t find your answer?
Submit your question
Category

 Closeup of person’s hand offering a treat to a curious ginger tabby

When it comes to treats, some felines are foodies and others seem purr-petually unfazed. But are there really cats that don’t like treats? We don’t think so! Try these five treats that are sure to pique even the most finicky of felines.

 

Why Your Cat Might Not Eat Treats

Cats naturally prefer small meals and snacks throughout the day. They do not have the taste receptors to respond to sweetness, instead preferring savory, meaty flavors.

Turning down treats can sometimes be a symptom of dental pain, or possibly inappetence due to an undiagnosed health issue like gastritis or kidney disease.

If your cat eats their meals but turns down treats, they may simply not recognize them as food right away. It can take a few tries for some cats to realize that a new food is not only safe to eat, but actually a scrumptious treat worth meowing about.

 

Top 5 Treats for Cats That “Don’t Like Treats”

When it comes to treating the unimpressible cat, only the meatiest, smelliest treats will do. Cats have a penchant for meat-based proteins, and savory scents send a signal that a new food is safe to eat. Try these savory morsels that are sure to please the pickiest cat.

Lickable cat treats. These tubes filled with meaty purees are the key to a cat’s heart. With flavors like chicken, tuna, and seafood medleys, and a smooth, velvety texture cats love, it won’t take long until your cat is trained to come running at the sound of you tearing off the top. These treats are great for drizzling over meals, masking medications, or letting your cat enjoy straight out of the tube.

Tuna anything. Research suggests that cats are hard-wired to crave the compounds found in tuna fish, so you can’t go wrong with this savory flavor. You can offer your cat canned tuna in moderation, so long as it’s low-sodium and packed in water, or try any tuna-flavored cat treat.

Freeze-dried proteins. Keep it simple with single-ingredient, dehydrated or freeze-dried proteins like minnows, bites of chicken or salmon. These convenient offerings can be served right out of the bag, crushed and sprinkled over food, or soaked in warm water to bring out their flavors and aromas.

Catnip treats. Catnip isn’t just for infusing toys and getting your cat in a playful mood. When eaten, catnip actually induces a calm state of mind. Some cats that turn down other treats can’t resist taking their catnip in edible form as catnip-flavored cat treats.

Broths. Liquid treats like bone broth and goat’s milk are an excellent source of nutrients and hydration that you can use to boost your cat’s diet. They can be poured over food or given as a between-meal snack. Some cats enjoy frozen treats made with broth frozen in an ice cube tray, though most prefer their broth warmed to room temperature before serving.

Ready to meet your cat’s match made in treat heaven? Shop all these healthy cat treats and more at PetMeds.com.