Cat Treats Guide: How Many to Give and Which Types to Choose

November 5, 2026

Cat treats are a fun way to bond with your cat, reward good habits and add a little variety to the day. But there are lots of types, from lickable tubes to crunchy dental bites. This guide explains how many treats a cat can have, which types suit which job, and how to pick healthy cat treats.

Key takeaways

• Treats are extras. Your cat’s main food should be a complete and balanced cat food. For moist meals, see our wet cat food guide. For biscuits and portions, see our dry cat food guide.
• Keep treats to no more than about 10% of what your cat eats each day.
• When you give treats, give a little less of the main meal.
• Lickable, dental, crunchy and single-ingredient treats each do a different job.
• Skip cow’s milk, onion, garlic, chocolate, grapes and cooked bones.

What are cat treats?

Cat treats are small foods you give on top of your cat’s normal meals. They are not made to be a full diet. Cat food packs use two words to show the difference. “Complete” food has all the nutrients a cat needs. “Complementary” food, like most treats, does not, so it should only be a small extra each day.

Complementary foods are typically treats and are nutritionally incomplete – they should form no more than 10% of your cat’s diet.

International Cat Care, Should I feed my cat wet or dry food?

The RSPCA Australia says the base of a cat’s diet should be a high-quality complete cat food that suits its life stage. It says other foods should only be fed now and then as treats. Browse our cat food range for complete meals, and see our kitten food guide if you have a young cat.

How many treats can a cat have?

Most vets and welfare groups use a simple rule. Treats should be no more than about 10% of the food your cat eats in a day. Cats are small, so a few treats can add up fast. A treat that seems tiny to us can be a big snack for a cat.

We recommend making sure treats don’t take up more than 10% of your cat’s daily food allowance – and their usual food will need reducing by the same amount to make sure they aren’t overeating.

PDSA, How to treat your cat

The PDSA also warns that many shop-bought treats are high in calories. So check the feeding guide on each pack. It will tell you how many pieces or tubes suit your cat’s weight. Then take a little off the main meal on treat days.

The PDSA diet page gives a range of 10 to 15% of daily calories as the top limit, while International Cat Care and the PDSA weight campaign both use 10%. Sticking to 10% keeps you inside every one of these guides. The RSPCA Australia also suggests offering adult cats food at least 4 to 5 times a day in small meals, so a small treat can be one of those small feeds.

Types of cat treats compared

Treats for cats come in a few main types. Each type does a different job, so many owners keep two or three kinds at home. Here is a quick look at the main types, what they are like and when they work best. Use it to match a treat to what you want it to do.

Best cat treats we stock in Australia

Here are the treats we stock at Mindiampets, sorted by type. Every product below is in stock. Read each pack for the feeding guide and start with small amounts when you try something new. You can also browse the full cat treats range.

Lickable treats

Lickable treats are a creamy puree in a small tube. You tear the tube open and let your cat lick it from the tube or a spoon. Many owners use them for hand feeding and bonding.

Do you want something you can hand out like a biscuit? Inaba Churu Bites Chicken and Churu Bites Tuna with Salmon have a soft baked outside and a creamy Churu filling.

Dental treats

Dental treats have a crunchy texture made for chewing. They are a tasty extra, not a swap for teeth brushing or vet checks. The RSPCA Australia points owners to the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) list of dental products.

Special dental foods and chews are a good alternative if you wish to provide your cat with food and treats that assist with teeth cleaning – the global Veterinary Oral Health Council lists dental products that meet standards for safety and reducing plaque/tartar.

RSPCA Australia, What should I feed my cat?

The VOHC accepted products list for cats includes Feline Greenies Feline Dental Treats, with a tartar claim. We stock these Greenies dental treats:

• Greenies Dental Cat Treats Tempting Tuna 60g: a small bag to see if your cat likes them.
• Greenies Dental Cat Treats Catnip 60g: the same crunchy treat with catnip flavour.
• Greenies Dental Cat Treats Value Tub: a bigger tub in chicken or catnip flavour.
• Greenies Dental Cat Treats Variety Pack: three 130g bags for a change of flavour.

For more teeth care products for cats and dogs, see our oral health and dental care range.

Training treats and single-ingredient treats

Small, bite-sized treats are handy for training, because you can give lots of tiny rewards. Prime100 SPT Nibbles Cat Treats are bite-sized training treats that come in salmon, kangaroo or chicken.

Some owners like treats made from just one food. Zeal Green Lipped Mussels are made from 100% New Zealand green lipped mussels, with no added fillers. They suit both dogs and cats, so they are handy in a home with both.

Catnip: a treat without the food

Not every treat has to be food. Many cats love catnip, though some do not react to it. A catnip toy can be a reward that adds no extra food at all. The GiGwi Refillable Catnip Rabbit is a plush toy you fill with catnip. The GiGwi Super Catnip Spray can be sprayed on old toys to make them fun again.

Healthy treats from your kitchen

You can also give your cat a little plain food from the kitchen as a treat. Keep it plain, with no oil, salt, sauce or seasoning, and keep it small. The RSPCA and PDSA list a few safe ideas. Always remove bones, and stop if your cat gets an upset tummy.

• Plain cooked chicken, with no bones and no skin.
• Tinned sardines, tuna or salmon in spring water, now and then.
• Cooked white fish or turkey breast, with all bones removed.
• A tiny piece of safe vegetable, like pumpkin, carrot or peas.

Some foods are not safe for cats. The RSPCA Australia list of harmful foods includes onion, garlic, chocolate, grapes, raisins, nuts, avocado, fatty trimmings and cooked bones. The RSPCA also says not to give milk, as it can upset a cat’s tummy.

How to give treats the smart way

How you give treats matters as much as what you give. Cats like to hunt, then eat, in lots of small meals. So treats work well as the end of a game or a little puzzle. Here are some simple ways to get more out of each treat.

• Play first, treat second: end a short play session with a small food reward.
• Use a puzzle feeder: the RSPCA says making cats search for food can keep them busy and active.
• Train with tiny pieces: break treats into small bits so you can reward more often.
• Set treat times: give treats at set times so your cat does not beg all day.
• Use part of the main meal: put some of the day’s dry food in a puzzle toy as a “treat”.

International Cat Care lists too many treats and human food as one reason cats put on weight, and suggests cutting down on treats. If your cat already carries extra weight, ask your vet before giving food treats. Play and attention can be a treat too.

Common treat mistakes

Most treat problems come from giving too many, or giving the wrong kind. These are the mistakes to watch for. Fixing them is easy, and your cat can still enjoy a tasty reward every day.

• Not counting treats: small treats from every person in the house add up.
• Not cutting back meals: give a little less of the main meal on treat days.
• Using treats as a meal: treats are not complete food.
• Giving cow’s milk: it can upset a cat’s tummy.
• Sharing people food: sauces, onion, garlic and cooked bones can harm cats.
• Skipping teeth care: dental treats are an extra, not a swap for brushing and vet checks.

Want a regular mix of treats and toys? Our pet subscription box sends food, toys and treats for your cat or dog to your door each month.

Specific questions about cat treats

Here are short answers to the questions cat owners ask most about treats. Each answer is quick, so you can find what you need fast. If your cat is unwell, on a special diet or has a weight problem, your vet is the best person to ask.

How many treats can a cat have a day?

Treats should be no more than about 10% of what your cat eats each day. Check the feeding guide on the pack, and give a little less of the main meal on treat days.

What are healthy cat treats?

Healthy treats are small, are given in small amounts and fit within your cat’s daily food. Plain cooked chicken or fish with no bones, and treats made for cats, are good choices.

Do dental cat treats clean teeth?

Dental treats have a crunchy texture made to help with tartar. They are an extra, not a swap for brushing or vet checks. Look for products on the VOHC accepted list.

Are lickable cat treats a meal?

No. Lickable treats are complementary food, so they do not have all the nutrients a cat needs. Use them as a small extra, not a meal.

Can kittens have treats?

Kittens can have small treats, but most of their food should be a complete kitten food. Check the pack to see if a treat suits kittens.

References

The advice in this guide comes from the animal welfare and vet sources below. Product details come from each product page on our site. Always ask your vet if your cat has special needs.

• RSPCA Australia, What should I feed my cat?
• International Cat Care, Should I feed my cat wet or dry food?
• International Cat Care, Obesity in cats
• PDSA, How to treat your cat
• PDSA, The best diet for your cat
• Veterinary Oral Health Council, Accepted products

Dr Jay Rollings BSc DVM

Veterinarian – Dr Jay Rollings is a skilled veterinarian with 12 years experience in wildlife research and conservation

During veterinary school, he contributed to projects involving species such as hammerhead sharks, Shark Bay mice, woylies, mulgara, and kangaroos, gaining valuable hands-on experience in wildlife health and preservation.