In the modern world, the variety of cat treats is quite large and diverse. Caring owners of pets are well aware of this, because they often spoil Tails with treats. The shelves of modern stores are filled with colorful bags of treats for every age and taste. All owners know about the incredible power of these treats, they can be awarded to the cat and thank him for obedience, for a well-executed command and just for a gentle purr. Tasty treats will always cheer up the cat and it is a good way to show the animal your attention, care and love. Animals feel love and care about them and it is important enough for them, so they do not leave their home, but live in it for years. The important thing here is not to overdo it, because an excessive amount of treats will only harm the animal, everything should be a measure. Feeding cats should be balanced, high-quality and systematic, and the goodies – as a bonus or a gift, which will always be appropriate, but it is important not to overdo it and all for the sake of health.
Varieties and types of treats for cats.
The selection of treats should start not with an attractive label visible on the top shelf of the store, but from the back of the package, because it is there that information about the composition of the product, a clear analysis of the ingredients, recommendations for feeding and storage conditions are contained. If you choose goodies for the first time, then preference should be given to those delicacies, the composition of which is natural, balanced and the basis of which is meat, fish, herbs and dairy products. At the same time, you should avoid products with a lot of artificial flavors, sugar or salt. And don’t forget about moderation – treats should only be a supplement to a complete diet, not a replacement for it. Now we will discuss the types and forms of cat treats in more detail. Treats are usually divided into three main categories:
- Nutritional treats
- Vitaminized and functional treats
- Motivational treats
Food treats are the most common type of treats. Their main purpose is to please the cat with a tasty addition to the main diet, to raise his mood and encourage him to fulfill a certain command. These are usually:
- Dried or dried meat pieces, rolls and sausages:
- These are natural products with no additional ingredients.
- Most often made from chicken, duck, turkey, beef, rabbit or fish (tuna, salmon, trout).
- They have a pleasant odor and a texture that encourages chewing.
- Crispy pads with meat inside (jelly and pate consistency):
- Usually have a crispy shell and a meat or cream filling.
- Available in many flavors: salmon, trout, turkey, duck, seafood, cheese and the like.
- Sometimes contain additional ingredients such as catnip, probiotics, taurine.
- Canned meat or fish delicacies:
- These are foods that are ready to serve, keep for a long time, and require no additional processing.
- Manufacturers often add additional vitamins and minerals to keep the cat healthy.
- Manufacturers often use natural ingredients, with no artificial colors or preservatives.
Such treats attract cats with their smell and taste. They contain proteins of animal origin, which are easy for cats to digest. However, it is important to choose options without dyes, flavor enhancers and unnecessary carbohydrates. Excessive amounts of harmful substances will have a detrimental effect on Tail’s health.
Functional treats are goodies that not only please the taste buds, but also help to maintain the cat’s health. They are enriched with vitamins, minerals, trace elements and other beneficial additives.
The main types of functional treats are:
- For hair removal (anti-hairball) – contain fiber or malt paste, which helps the cat get rid of ingested hair more easily.
- For dental care – hard textures or special ingredients that reduce plaque.
- For coat shine and healthy skin – with Omega-3, Omega-6, biotin.
- For joint support – with glucosamine and chondroitin.
Motivational treat s are treats that are used for encouragement during training or to build rapport with the animal. They should be:
- Very tasty (so that the cat associates them with positivity, mood, play)
- Small in size (so as not to overload the stomach)
- Easily digestible
Soft bites or special training treats that are quickly eaten are best. They are often used to calm the animal in stressful situations such as traveling in transportation or at the veterinary clinic with many strangers, to distract it, to try to teach it something new in everyday life, or simply to praise it.
- Carrier training, visits to the veterinarian
- Training, such as teaching simple commands
- Socialization with new people or animals
Why give treats to animals?
If you are choosing a treat for your cat or cats you have a large selection of treats with a specific purpose. Treats for animals are primarily designed to enrich the diet of the animal with useful components, vitamins, minerals and trace elements, but tasty treats should be given to diversify the diet, as well as for painless hygiene procedures, to force to perform a certain action or command and of course to pamper or reward the cat. Most often people buy treats to give a tasty bonus to Tails every day, because they love him very much. But owners should remember that excessive amounts of food can cause obesity in the animal, as well as if and overdo it with tasty treats. Super-premium class treats, i.e. vitamin desserts, when consumed excessively, disturb the whole organism.
What do veterinarians recommend?
Veterinarians recommend diversifying the four-legged animal’s diet with different types of treats. People also don’t eat the same food every day, but enjoy a variety of fish, meat, vegetable and fruit dishes. So will your Ponytail, he will be happy to see a variety of treats in his bowl, it can be delicious in the form of pate, or jelly with soft pads, pasta, cookies, dried rolls and sausages, of course, and will not refuse crunchy sticks. In addition to the structure, watch out for flavors, you can buy for a period of assortment, later replace it with sticks with different types of fish, such as salmon or trout, and from crunchy pads with pork, beef, rabbit and chicken, the animal will not refuse too. Cookies with fish and herbs, pate with salmon and mint will also be a tasty dessert for your kitty, and yogurts are best for younger cats.
To summarize, we have concluded that there is a huge selection and variety of cat food and treats on the market right now. Owners can purchase goodies in various shapes and consistencies. It is important to remember that it is best to buy a variety of flavors for the healthy functioning of the animal’s body. Check the composition for vitamin components and in general the entire composition. And change the shape and consistency in order to pamper your furry kitty or kotik something new. They are always interested in something new and unusual! Pets feel the warmth and care that comes from their home and are sure to thank in return with their gentle purring! Man and animal used to live in harmony and love, take care of those for whom we are responsible!
