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Best Freeze-Dried Treats for Cats 2025
Written by Emily Bayne
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 11/01/2024, edited: 01/14/2025
The Wag! team conducts independent research and consults pet experts to curate our recommendations. This content is supported by our affiliate pet partners and we may receive a commission on the links provided.
Freeze-dried treats and foods are becoming increasingly common in the pet food industry, partly because freeze-drying helps preserve a food's flavor and nutrient profile. Plus, freeze-dried treats are less messy than moist or lickable treats, and they have a longer shelf-life. Raw food manufacturers often use freeze-drying to help combat bacteria growth and make raw foods shelf-stable.
Freeze-dried treats, like any cat treats, can vary considerably in quality. We've compiled a list of the best freeze-dried cat treats to help you pick the best quality snack for your feline friend.
Overview
Whole Life Living Treats Freeze-Dried Cat Treats
5
If you're looking for a freeze-dried treat that offers more than just an irresistible flavor, Whole Life Freeze-Dried Cat Treats is a great starting point.
These human-grade, protein-packed treats come in two flavors, chicken and salmon, and feature real meat or seafood as the leading ingredient. They also contain pumpkin (a fantastic source of fiber and prebiotics to help promote healthy digestion and soothe sensitive stomachs) as well as yogurt, which has probiotics to replenish your kitty's gut biome.
Not only that, these have a host of antioxidant superfoods like berries and flaxseeds to fight free radicals and support your kitty's immune system.
Available flavors:
- Chicken
- Salmon
Whole Life Freeze-Dried Cat Treats
Why Wag! loves Whole Life Freeze-Dried Cat Treats
- Affordable without sacrificing quality
- Made with traceable, human-grade ingredients
- Whole Life takes safety seriously, testing every batch that they make to ensure their products are safe for their furry consumers
Considerations & concerns
- Some reviewers claim that the treats can become crumbly
- Some reviewers say that their picky eaters do not care for the flavor of these treats
What pet parents say about Whole Life Freeze-Dried Cat Treats
"I have a very picky, anti-social cat, so it's always a relief when I find something that should be good for his health which he also likes. I can't really say if these have been helping his digestion or coat (again, he won't let me near him to really see), but I do continue to feed them to him. These treats will leave a lot dust in the bag which I have use as a coating for some hairball treats he doesn't like as much. It works to get him to eat them."
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Whole Life Pet.
PureBites Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Treats
5
These PureBites treats are one of our favorite single-ingredient freeze-dried treat options. Since they only contain US-grown chicken breast, it takes the guesswork out of scanning ingredient labels and also makes them safe for kitties with food allergies or sensitivities.
Each treat contains a whopping 74% protein and has no grains, gluten, or carbs (which also means they're a solid option for kitties looking to build muscle and lose weight.)
PureBites Freeze-Dried Cat Treats
Why Wag! loves PureBites Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Treats
- Single-ingredient recipes that are great for cats with food allergies or sensitivities
- Ingredients used are human-grade sourced from the US
- Free of preservatives, artificial colors, gluten, fillers, and grains
Considerations & concerns
- On the pricey side
What pet parents say about PureBites Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Treats
"Originally I bought these treats for my cats because I liked that there's only one ingredient: freeze-dried chicken breast. My cats can't get enough! And my dogs love it too!"
"I forgot to hide these treats right away. Next thing you know, I hear intense noises coming from the kitchen, where Kynnie has punctured the bag and won't let go - she loves them more than anything now. They will remain a special treat - a reward for letting me trim her claws. So glad I tried them."
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright PureBites.
Smallbatch Pets Super Booster Freeze-Dried Cat Treats
4.5
Smallbatch is among the best ethical brands of freeze-dried pet treats. They only use humanely raised and culled meats and high-quality organic produce in their foods.
These recipes are super versatile — they're suitable for both dogs and cats and can be rehydrated to be used as a kibble topper or given dry as a treat. Esch recipe includes multiple protein sources as well as organ meats for minerals and probiotics and are pretty low in calories.
Available flavors:
Smallbatch Pets Freeze-Dried Cat Treats
Why Wag! loves Smallbatch Pets Super Booster Freeze-Dried Cat Treats
- Suitable for cats and dogs
- Uses all organic ingredients
- Gut healthy recipe featuring probiotics
- Low calorie, at under 80 calories for a quarter of a cup
Considerations & concerns
- Pricier than some alternatives
- Not complete meals — supplemental feeding only.
What pet parents say about Smallbatch Pets Super Booster Freeze-Dried Cat Treats
"I absolutely LOVE this product! It's perfect as a topper or even as a special treat. I was surprised by how much my cats liked it, especially since they can be quite picky. I even let the neighborhood cats try it, and they loved it too—definitely cat approved! My dog enjoyed it just as much, though he's not as hard to please. Highly recommend! buy it!"
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Smallbatch Pets.
Orijen Original Freeze-Dried Cat Treats
5
We're huge fans of Orijen products, so this list wouldn't be complete without their freeze-dried cat treats. With six different protein sources, including, chicken, organs, and fish, these are excellent high protein treats for kitties. The best part is these contain no artificial preservatives, dyes, or fillers.
Orijen Original Freeze-Dried Cat Treats
Why Wag! loves Orijen Original Freeze-Dried Cat Treats
- Uses all-natural preservatives
- Contains organ meat for added minerals
- 45% protein and 35% fat, making it an excellent energy source for active cats
- The first three ingredients are all high-quality protein sources, including chicken, turkey, turkey giblets
Considerations & concerns
- Some reviewers state that these treats have an unpleasant odor
What pet parents say about Orijen Original Freeze-Dried Cat Treats
"I originally wanted to get the 6 fish kind that I ordered online but unfortunately they were out and so when I went to the store to pick up my other items I seen these so I bought these instead. I brought them home and my kitten was immediately sniffing the Petco bag. I opened up her treats and gave her one and she attacked it, happily growling as she ate it in no time at all. She then buttered me up for another one which she also inhaled. I never seen her act that way with any other treats I have bought her. I am happy to say these will be the only treats I buy from here on out."
Read more reviews on Petco.
Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Mars Incorporated.
Vital Essentials Chicken Hearts Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Treats
5
Organ meats are a great way to add extra taurine and minerals into your kitty's diet, but let's face it: handling and cooking raw ingredients is a challenging task. Luckily, Vital Essentials Chicken Hearts is an easy way to add more organ meat to your cat's diet without the mess!
According to their product page, Vital Essentials models their recipes after the ALPHA Prey–Model, which utilizes animal proteins and whole prey ingredients that cats would naturally eat. Parents of kitties with food allergies and sensitivities rejoice — not only are these treats grain and gluten-free, but since they are a single-ingredient recipe, scanning the ingredients list is a breeze.
Available flavors:
- Ahi Tuna
- Chicken Breast
- Chicken Giblets
- Chicken Hearts
- Duck Liver
- Minnows
- Rabbit Bites
- Wild Alaskan Salmon
Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Treats
Why Wag! loves Vital Essentials Chicken Hearts Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Treats
- Made from meat that is free of hormones or antibiotics
- Comes in a variety of flavors
- All Vital Essentials recipes are made, sourced, and packed in the US.
Considerations & concerns
- Some pet parents think these treats are too hard
- Treats are large and may need to be cut up before feeding to your cat
What pet parents say about Vital Essentials Chicken Hearts Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Treats
"I never thought I would be feeding chicken hearts to my 4-month-old kittens, but I'm so glad I purchased these. They are freeze-dried and don't look like "hearts, " AND my cats love them. One of my kittens had a slightly enlarged muscle of the left ventricle wall from an infection when he was little, which, according to the vet, has a good chance of improving in the months ahead, so I want to do everything possible to get his heart and body in optimal shape. There is a lot of nutritional value with chicken hearts. This freeze-dried version is a great way to get those nutrients."
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Vital Essentials.
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