The Best Crunchy Cat Treats
We all want to show our furry friends the love they deserve by rewarding them with a delicious snack. Treats also encourage our cats to cooperate during healthy routines like cleaning, nail clipping, and teeth brushing. They can even reinforce positive behavior. If your cats often get peckish between meals, it's important to find a healthy snack that will appease their appetite. Our pets love crunchy treats for their texture, and we love them for their dental health benefits. During our search to find the best crunchy cat treats on the market, we asked ourselves three key questions: Are these treats packed with vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that contribute to a balanced diet? Does the portion size make these treats appropriate for snack time, so we don't have to worry about overfeeding? Do these treats come in a great package helping to keep them fresh over months of use? We love the nutritious recipe we found in the crunchy treats from Fruitables. With a carefully selected blend of natural ingredients, these delicious snacks didn't make us feel guilty when offering our cats this tasty surprise. If your cat struggles with grains in its diet, you might want to check out the crunchy treats from Blue Buffalo, which come in a massive resealable. Read on below for our top picks of crunchy cat treats.
Fruitables Crunchy Cat Treats
Even our pets can do with the proverbial five-a-day to keep fit and healthy. Fruitables’ snacks are filled with nutrient-rich goodness to help keep your cat satisfied between meals. With a superfood combo of pea fiber, blueberry, flaxseed, and chicken, these hearty nibbles pack a ton of flavor while delivering a wide range of essential vitamins and minerals. With this limited list of top-quality ingredients, rest assured that your cat is only getting the very best at snack time.
Pros:
- With its blend of natural fibers, we found that these treats offer a natural remedy for cats suffering from IBD.
- A lean calorie count of 1.25 per piece meant we don’t have to worry about overfeeding with these treats.
- The handy ziplock bag helps keep these treats fresh even after months of purchase.
Cons:
- With a kibble harder than some, we found that older cats or those with dental issues might not love these treats.
Blue Buffalo Bursts
For an explosion of wholesome flavors that your cat will relish, try Bursts from Blue Buffalo. This delicious recipe includes real fish, so these treats will tempt any feline appetite. With a wholesome list of ingredients like peas, brown rice, barley, and added taurine, each bite bursts with natural goodness. The snack’s crunchy exterior shell coats a succulent, creamy inside, resulting in a unique texture your cat is sure to crave.
Pros:
- The great flavor of these treats made our cats feel rewarded. It’s an ideal option to incentivize routines like brushing teeth.
- The soft inside of this treat seems well suited for kittens.
- It’s difficult for us to find chicken-free treats for cats who don’t get on with poultry. This option provides an ideal solution without compromising on flavor.
Cons:
- These treats were so tasty that we found it difficult to wean our cats back to other brands once we introduced them.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain Free Crunchy Cat Treats
If your feline friend doesn’t tolerate grain-based foods, or if you’re looking for a low-carb option, Blue Buffalo’s grain-free treats could be the solution. With three delicate meat-rich flavors, there’s an option for every appetite. A meaty crunch in this treat will keep your cat’s teeth in great shape. What’s more, these sumptuous snacks are free of artificial flavoring and preservatives.
Pros:
- With a small list of quality natural ingredients, these treats are ideal for cats with food allergies.
- Packing a lean punch of 28% protein, we found these treats were a great energy source for active cats.
- If you’re tired of losing out on quantity due to broken or dusty snack residue at the bottom of your treat packs, these pieces hold their size.
Cons:
- These treats were a little more expensive than some other options.
Purina Friskies Party Mix
We all know that keeping our cats well-fed can sometimes come with a hefty price tag. If you’re looking for a packet of tasty treats that won’t break the bank, Purina has you covered. Friskies come in a variety of fun-sized shapes and crunchy textures that help keep feline teeth clean and sharp. At just 2 calories per treat, you can pamper your pet with this light appetizer.
Pros:
- Coming in a generous 20 ounce jar, we think these treats will last you months.
- The sealed reusable container keeps these treats fresh and delicious during storage.
- Thanks to its rich chicken flavor, these treats are perfect for meat-loving cats.
Cons:
- They have a more pungent smell than some other options.
Greenies Feline Smartbites
No more hairballs
If you want the most out of snack time, you might be looking for a tasty morsel that combines nutritious ingredients with a tailored formula to support digestive health. Greenies Feline Smartbites consists of a tailored blend of fibers that regulate digestion and reduce hairballs. Made with all-natural ingredients and free from artificial flavorings and preservatives, these tempting tidbits bring the best wholesome nourishment to cats from all life stages. With its crunchy outer layer and chewy pocket of flavor within, your cat will meow for more.
Pros:
- We were impressed by the impact these treats had on hairballs. Compared to some hairball remedies, which can be foul-tasting or come in pill form, these snacks are easy to deliver to our cats.
- We found that these treats were great for incentivizing our cats. They’re an excellent option for reinforcing training sessions.
Cons:
- With such an enormous container, it’s tricky to keep these treats fresh when using the recommended 12 treats per day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use cat treats as a substitute for dry food?
Our cats love the delicate and tantalizing flavors of these treats, so it might be tempting to pander to their wishes and serve up a large portion of these nibbles rather than using them as an occasional snack. While many of these treats offer nutritional benefits, they shouldn’t be seen as a substitute for regular meals, which contain more of the basic sustenance they need.
How can these crunchy treats contribute to good feline dental health?
Crunchy treats are a great way to help keep your cat’s teeth clean and strong. Their firm texture encourages biting and chewing, which can sharpen teeth and help to dislodge any plaque or food morsels. While these snacks can contribute to a strong set of fangs, take the time to support their teeth through brushing and diet regulation.
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