The treats you choose for your cat can be an asset or the bane of your existence. On one hand, most felines come running from whatever corner of the house their hiding in at the tiniest shake of a cat treat bag. On the other hand, you can literally be terrorised by a treat loving cat for a nibble everytime you go into the kitchen. As pet owners, we want to ensure we’re feeding our pets food and treats they like, yet ensuring both are actually healthy choices for them.

So before you opt for a bag of tasty vittles off the pet store shelf, ask your vet about what some guidelines around cat food and treats. You’ll likely hear the following advice:

1. Treating frequency
Many pet owners use treats as a form of training in that pets are rewarded for good behavior with a treat. With cats this can be a little more difficult, however, you can use treats to reinforce good behavior (i.e., if she comes to you when you call) or to modify negative behavior (i.e., staying off counters). Your vet will tell you to choose your rewards carefully. While you want to treat a cat right at the moment they display good behavior so there’s a link, don’t treat too often or you’ll end up with an overweight cat. Remember, you can also use verbal praise and pets as a form of reward.

2. Take care of teeth
Oral health is an issue that pet owners want to stay on top of. A tartar buildup can create gingivitis, which can cause more issues down the line if not addressed. While some cat treats and hard foods claim to support oral health, your vet’s office can point you in the direction of food and treats that actually prevent plaque and tartar buildup, especially in aging cats.

3. Keep an eye on salt levels
If your cat is urinating more frequently it may indicate an underlying health issue (i.e., diabetes mellitus or kidney disease). However, it may also be an indication that the pet food and treats your feeding Fluffy may contain high sodium. High salt foods may cause a cat to drink more water, thus urinate more frequently. So check salt content on treats and food packages and forgo those with excess salt levels.

4. Treats for specific health conditions
Cats with certain health conditions (i.e., allergies, kidney disease, etc.) may not be able to eat just any old bag of cat treats. Specialized cat foods and treats are manufactured to reduce the symptoms and prevent the progress of certain health conditions in felines. If your cat is on a special diet for an underlying health condition, the treats they eat should also abide by these dietary rules. If allergic reactions occur (i.e., skin rash, biting or pulling out hair, vomiting, and gastrointestinal issues) check your cat treats to ensure they are indeed hypoallergenic.

5. Treat with balance
Just like cat food, treats shouldn’t be just empty calories and junk. Look for cat treats that offer a good level of protein, vitamins, healthy fats, and nutrients meant for maintaining energy, vitality, kidney/liver health, oral support, and more. Remember, treats only account for a small portion of your feline’s daily recommended caloric intake, but they should be healthy and balanced to promote health not negate it.