Cat treats are the category most cat owners apply the least label scrutiny to — because they’re treats, they’re small, and they’re occasional. Surely a little indulgence in the name of bonding doesn’t require the same attention as main food. In terms of individual dose, that’s probably right. In terms of cumulative exposure and ingredient quality signals, the treat aisle is worth a closer look.

The sugar problem in savoury-marketed products

Cat treats are marketed as savoury and high-protein. Most cats don’t have a meaningful sweet taste receptor — they literally can’t taste sweetness the way humans can. Yet many commercial treats contain sugar, molasses, or glucose syrup. These serve as palatability enhancers and preservatives, not nutritional contributions. They also contribute to the plaque and dental issues that affect a substantial proportion of adult cats.

Check the ingredient list of your cat’s treats. Sugar, glucose syrup, and syrup variants (covered in the label walkthrough) appearing in a cat treat serve no biological purpose for the cat. Their presence is a label quality signal.

Artificial colours — who are they for?

Cats don’t see colour the way humans do and make no dietary choices based on it. Artificial colours in cat treats exist entirely for the owner’s perception — bright, appealing pieces that signal freshness or variety. As with human food, artificial colours are unnecessary additives included to influence purchasing behaviour rather than to benefit the consumer (in this case, the cat). Their presence indicates a product optimised for shelf appeal.

Protein source transparency

The same naming issue present in cat food applies to treats. “Chicken flavour treats” may contain very little chicken — the flavouring can be artificial. “With chicken” requires the ingredient to be present but not to dominate. “Chicken treats (chicken 65%)” is the clearer specification. For a high-protein, high-palatability treat that supports the treat’s nutritional premise, named protein at a meaningful percentage is the honest version.

Caloric density and the portion question

Cat treats are calorically dense. Many common treat products run to 3–5 calories each — meaningless-sounding until you consider that the daily calorie requirement for an average indoor cat is roughly 200–250 calories. Ten treats in a day is 30–50 calories, or 12–25% of daily intake. For a cat managing weight, this arithmetic matters. The serving size on the packaging often suggests more than appropriate; treat serving guidelines tend to err toward generosity in proportion to sales frequency rather than feline caloric needs.