Introduction
Cat treats have become increasingly popular as a way for pet owners to show affection and positive reinforcement to their furry companions. However, with the rise in treat-giving, questions have emerged around whether too many treats can actually cause harm. This article explores whether overindulging in treats can make cats sick.
We’ll provide an overview of the benefits and risks of treats, look at signs of overtreating, recommend healthy treat guidelines, and offer alternatives to treats. The goal is to help cat owners understand how to incorporate treats into their cat’s diet while avoiding unintended health consequences.
Popularity of Cat Treats
Cat treats have become increasingly popular in recent years. According to Packaged Facts, sales of cat treats in the United States grew from around $589 million in 2015 to around $825 million in 2020 (source). In 2022, cat treat sales reached over $2 billion, accounting for 20% of the total pet treat market in the US (source).
Some of the most popular cat treat varieties include dental treats, soft treats, crunchy treats, and freeze-dried treats. Cat owners give treats for a variety of reasons – as a reward, for bonding, or to provide extra nutrition. Treats allow cat owners to spoil their pets and show them affection.
Benefits of Treats in Moderation
When given in moderation, treats can provide some benefits for cats.
One of the main benefits is positive reinforcement. Giving treats can help reinforce good behaviors in cats, like using the litter box or scratching appropriate surfaces. The treat acts as a reward to encourage the cat to repeat the desired behavior. This kind of positive reinforcement training helps strengthen the human-animal bond. [1]
Treats are also a good way for owners to bond with their cats. Sharing treats helps associate the owner with something positive. The act of giving and receiving treats can be an affectionate ritual that brings cats and their owners closer together. Treat time can be a special bonding activity. [2]
Some treats can also provide dental health benefits. Treats designed to scrape plaque and tartar off teeth help keep cats’ mouths healthy. Things like dental sticks and dental chews give cats something abrasive to gnaw on, which helps control plaque buildup. [3]
Downsides of Too Many Treats
Feeding too many treats can negatively impact a cat’s health in several ways. Some of the main downsides of overindulging in treats include:
Weight gain and obesity – Giving too many high-calorie treats on top of regular meals can quickly lead to weight gain or obesity. Obese cats are more prone to other health issues like diabetes and joint problems. According to Purina, treats should make up no more than 10% of a cat’s daily calories.
Nutritional imbalances – Treats should not replace a balanced cat food diet. Relying too much on treats can lead to vitamin and mineral deficiencies over time. Important nutrients like protein and fatty acids may be lacking.
Diabetes – Obesity is a major risk factor for diabetes in cats. The excess weight stresses the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar levels. Diabetic cats require insulin injections and close management of their diet.
Dental issues – Many treats are sticky, chewy, or crunchy. While promotes chewing, this can also lead to more tartar buildup on teeth over time. Excessive treats may mean less teeth-cleaning kibble is consumed.
Signs Your Cat is Getting Too Many Treats
Cats can start to show concerning health signs when they are getting too many treats. Some common symptoms include:
Weight gain – Treats are often high in fat and calories, so too many treats can lead to obesity in cats. According to PetMD, excessive weight gain is one symptom of over-treating. An overweight cat may have difficulty grooming and moving around.
Lethargy – Overweight cats tend to be less active and playful. A cat that seems overly tired or lazy may be getting too many treats. According to the Feline Hyperthyroidism Fact Sheet, lethargy is a common symptom of diseases associated with obesity like hyperthyroidism.
Vomiting – Eating too many treats, especially fatty or rich ones, can upset a cat’s stomach. You may notice your cat vomiting more often if they are getting too many treats. According to PetMD, chronic vomiting can be a sign your cat’s diet is out of balance.
Diarrhea – Similar to vomiting, too many treats can cause digestive upset that leads to loose stools or diarrhea. PetMD lists chronic diarrhea as a potential symptom of over-treating.
Recommended Treat Frequency
Veterinarians generally recommend limiting treats to no more than 10% of your cat’s daily calorie intake. The exact number of treats depends on the calorie content of the specific treats.
For example, if your cat eats 250 calories per day, treats should make up no more than 25 of those calories. If the treats contain 5 calories each, that’s around 5 treats per day. However, if the treats contain 20 calories each, your cat should only have 1-2 per day.
It’s important to read the calorie information on the treat packaging and adjust accordingly. Giving too many high-calorie treats can lead to weight gain over time (cite: https://www.purina.ca/articles/cat/feeding/how-many-treats-to-give-cat). Moderation is key.
For kittens, veterinarians may recommend more frequent but smaller treats as positive reinforcement during training. However, treats should still compose a minimal part of their diet.
Tips for Healthy Treats
There are several things you can do to make treats a healthier part of your cat’s diet:
Choose low-calorie options – Look for treats that are lower in calories, around 30 calories per treat or less. This will help prevent weight gain when giving treats (source: https://www.webmd.com/pets/cats/features/cat-treats-and-snacks-whats-healthy).
Break treats into smaller pieces – Breaking treats into smaller pieces allows you to give your cat the enjoyment of a treat while controlling the portion size. Aim for pieces around the size of your fingernail.
Use treats for training – Reserve treats for training purposes or special occasions rather than giving them freely. This will keep overall treat consumption at moderate levels.
Mix with main meals – Incorporate some treats into your cat’s regular meals. This avoids additional calories from free-feeding treats between meals.
Alternatives to Treats
While treats can be an effective way to reward and motivate cats, they are not the only option. For cats that are not highly food-motivated, some good alternatives to treats include:
Playtime
Many cats love interactive playtime with their owners. Wand toys, feather toys, and laser pointers are great ways to engage your cat’s natural hunting instincts. You can use play as a reward by only bringing out their favorite toy after they engage in a desired behavior. Just 5-10 minutes of quality playtime can be an excellent substitute for a food treat. Make sure to let your cat “catch” the toy at the end for best results. According to the article from Reddit, letting the cat interact with the toy and feel a sense of “the hunt” can be very rewarding and motivating for them.
Petting
For cats that enjoy human interaction, petting can be a good reward. Offer your cat some gentle scratches or pets in their favorite spot when they do something good. Start with short petting sessions of 15-30 seconds. You can combine petting with verbal praise to strengthen the reward. According to The Hiking Cat, affection can reinforce behaviors just as well as treats for some cats.
Brushing
Regular brushing not only reduces shedding and hairballs, but can also be an enriching experience for cats that like grooming and physical touch. Set aside a special brush just for training sessions. Brush your cat briefly after desired behaviors to positively reinforce them. Just like with petting, combine with praise and keep brushing sessions brief at first.
Interactive Toys
Puzzles, treat balls, and other interactive toys stimulate your cat’s mind and instincts. They have to work for a reward by batting the toy around, figuring out a puzzle, etc. Use these types of enrichment toys as alternatives to giving treats directly. Your cat still gets a reward but has to engage their mind and body to get it. Rotate different puzzle toys to keep things interesting. Outdoor Bengal recommends increasing frustration and challenge slightly over time to continue motivating your cat.
Creating a Balanced Diet
It’s important to create a balanced diet for your cat that includes moderation of treats. Veterinarians generally recommend limiting treats to no more than 10% of your cat’s daily caloric intake.
Be sure to follow your veterinarian’s advice on an appropriate amount of treats for your individual cat based on their health, weight, activity level, and other factors. Most experts recommend no more than 1-2 treats per day for the average adult cat.
Providing exercise through playtime and enrichment is also key to balancing out the additional calories from treats. Make sure your cat has opportunities for active play, climbing, pouncing, and other physical activities throughout the day.
You can also help create a balanced diet by choosing healthy, natural treat options like freeze dried meats, dental chews, and single-ingredient snacks. Avoid too many treats high in carbohydrates, artificial ingredients, sugars, and fillers.
Overall, moderation is key when providing treats to your cat. Follow your veterinarian’s guidance, offer exercise, and aim for healthy treat choices as part of an overall balanced feline diet.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while treats can be an enjoyable part of a cat’s diet if given in moderation, too many treats can lead to obesity, dental issues, and other health problems. The key is to limit treats to no more than 10% of your cat’s daily caloric intake. Follow the recommended treat frequency guidelines based on your cat’s weight, and choose healthy, low-calorie treats over high-fat options. Make sure your cat gets plenty of balanced, nutritious meals to keep their treats just an occasional bonus. Moderation is key when it comes to indulging your feline friends.
The bottom line is treats should be just that – occasional treats, not a dietary staple. By keeping treats moderate and thoughtful, you can safely share this special bonding experience with your cat while maintaining their health and happiness.