Best Grain-Free Treats for Cats 2024

Written by Adam Lee-Smith

Veterinary reviewed by:

Published: 08/29/2024, edited: 08/29/2024

Best Grain-Free Treats for Cats 2024 image

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.


So, your cat was recently diagnosed with a grain allergy and you need a new treat to pamper your purring pal with — where do you start?

Thankfully, dozens of grain-free cat treats will have your kitty climbing your leg for another morsel. And grain-free cat treats aren't just for cats with allergies — they're a healthy alternative to traditional treats that are often higher in protein

Keep reading for Wag!'s definitive list of the best grain-free cat treats, ranging from freeze-dried delicacies to irresistible soft and chewy snacks.



Overview

The Honest Kitchen Smittens

Paw iconPaw iconPaw iconPaw iconPaw icon
5
Verified ribbon icon

Best dehydrated grain-free cat treat

The original human-grade pet food brand, The Honest Kitchen delivers one of the best grain-free snacks for your feline friend. The Honest Kitchen Smittens treats contain three or fewer ingredients — simply a mix of human-grade dehydrated fish, rosemary extract, and sea salt.

Each Smitten variety is high in omega-3 fatty acids, which support skin and coat health. One offering includes cranberries, to give your fur-baby an antioxidant boost. Made with over 70% dry matter protein and at 2.5 calories per treat, Smittens are healthy (and delicious) grain-free cat treats for your couch cougar.

Available flavors: White Fish, Herring, Herring & Cranberry

The Honest Kitchen Smittens

The Honest Kitchen Smittens

Why Wag! loves The Honest Kitchen Smittens Cat Treats

  • 100% human-grade
  • Three or fewer ingredients — ideal for cats with food allergies and sensitivities
  • High in protein
  • Just 2.5 calories per treat

Considerations & concerns 

What pet parents say about The Honest Kitchen Smittens Cat Treats

"My cats love these treats, and I love how healthy they are for them!"

"My cat loves crunchy treats and I love that these have cranberry in them. Will definitely buy again once she runs out!"

"Our cat gets a few of these every night, and he starts begging for them in the early evening."

Read more reviews on The Honest Kitchen.

Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright The Honest Kitchen.




Inaba Churu Lickable Cat Treats

Paw iconPaw iconPaw iconPaw iconPaw icon
5
Verified ribbon icon

Best lickable grain-free cat treats

Viral treat sensation Inaba Churu Lickable Cat Treats will have your cat climbing the walls for another taste. Our top pick as the best lickable grain-free cat treat, Inaba Churu Lickables are made with real cuts of meat and just a handful of ingredients. 

Inaba Churu Lickables contain 91% moisture, helping prevent dehydration. Plus, they're enriched with vitamin E extract and taurine to provide your purring pal with some extra nutrients. At six calories per tube, it's worth limiting your cat's access to these irresistible snacks.

  • Available flavors:  Chicken, Chicken with Cheese, Chicken with Crab, Chicken with Shrimp, Tuna, Tuna with Chicken, Tuna with Salmon, Tuna with Scallop
Inaba Churu Lickable Cat Treats

Inaba Churu Lickable Cat Treats

Why Wag! loves Inaba Churu Lickable Cat Treats

  • Made with free-range chicken and wild-caught fish
  • Contains limited ingredients
  • Consists of 91% moisture
  • No artificial flavors or preservatives

Considerations & concerns 

  • All flavors include chicken or tuna
  • Six calories per tube

What pet parents say about Inaba Churu Lickable Cat Treats

"My cat loves this flavor of Churu. It is a great distraction treat when he goes to the vet. He also gets one for a treat off and on along with his regular food."

"My cats eat this every day. It is especially good for administering pill to one of them, right off of my finger. This flavor is the one that they like the best."

"My 3 tuna lovers like this. Saved to my favorites for future orders. When they are happy, I'm happy. They also like a few other items by Churu, too."

Read more reviews on Chewy.

Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Inaba Foods Inc.




Redbarn Protein Puffs

Paw iconPaw iconPaw iconPaw iconPaw icon
5
Verified ribbon icon

Best low calorie grain-free cat treat

One of the most unique entries on our grain-free cat treats list is Redbarn Protein Puffs. These aerated cat treats have an aerated, crunchy texture and are super low in calories—just 0.3 calories a piece! They're perfect if you're watching your cat's weight or if you can't resist giving your fur-baby tons of treats.

Redbarn Protein Puffs’ ingredient list makes for good reading, too. Each flavor is made with dried milk protein, natural flavors, and fresh cuts of meat—no meat meal here!

  • Available flavors: Chicken Salmon
Redbarn Protein Puffs

Redbarn Protein Puffs

Why Wag! loves Redbarn Protein Puffs 

  • Made with fresh cuts of meat
  • Pleasing crunchy, light texture
  • High in protein
  • Only 0.3 calories per treat!

Considerations & concerns

What pet parents say about Redbarn Protein Puffs

"These are my kitty’s absolute favorite snacks! Plus they are super low calorie"

"This is the only treat approved for my kitty. High protein. Crunchy . And Tobi loves them. I was giving him Temptations and he was gaining weight. 2 calories each. When I switched to Protein Puffs for .03 calories a puff…I was able to give Tobi 10 treats at a time."

"My cats love these healthy snacks. It's hard to find cat treats that are healthy that the cats like. Highly recommended."

Read more reviews on Redbarn.

Image sourced from Redbarn. Copyright Redbarn Pet Products LLC.




Wellness Kittles

Paw iconPaw iconPaw iconPaw iconHalf paw icon
4.5
Verified ribbon icon

Best traditional grain-free cat treat

Made with real cuts of meat and with a familiar kibble-like texture cats love, Wellness Kittles are among the best traditional grain-free cat treats. Plus, each treat's rough exterior helps clean your feline's fangs as they chow down.

Each variety contains fish meal and cranberries, providing your feline with antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids. Peas and chickpeas also act as a source of fiber. The only downside to Wellness Kittles is that they contain some lower-quality ingredients, such as chicken meal.

  • Available flavors: Chicken & Cranberry, Salmon & Cranberry, Tuna & Cranberry

Wellness Kittles

Wellness Kittles

Why Wag! loves Wellness Kittles

  • Real meat as the top ingredient
  • Rough texture helps clean your cat's teeth
  • Recipes include nutrient-rich produce
  • Less than 2 calories per treat

Considerations & concerns

  • Contains chicken meal
  • Multiple protein sources in each recipe

What pet parents say about Wellness Kittles

"My kitten is incredibly picky when it comes to food and treats - she often turns up little nose at anything new. But I finally found a treat she absolutely loves, and it’s made with wholesome, healthy ingredients too. Highly recommend!"

"My cat Freddie Mercury LOVES this salmon treat! His favorite flavors are catnip and salmon. These Wellness Salmon and Cranberry treats are now by far his favorite!"

"I have two of the finickiest felines on the planet, but they seem to enjoy this very crunchy treat before going to bed."

Read more reviews on Chewy.

Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Wellness Pet, LLC.




Cat-Man-Doo Life Essentials Freeze-Dried Cat Treats

Paw iconPaw iconPaw iconPaw iconPaw icon
5
Verified ribbon icon

Best freeze-dried cat treats

Cat-Man-Doo isn't a familiar cat treat brand, but their freeze-dried grain-free Life Essentials range is the real deal. There's not much to say about these treats as they're made from one ingredient — 100% chicken or salmon. 

Cat-Man-Doo Life Essentials are ideal for felines looking to shed a few pounds and cats with food allergies. Each variety consists of over 87% dry protein matter, meaning they're low in calories and make the perfect fuel for your active cats. Your canine companion won't miss out on a tasty treat either—Life Essentials are suitable for cats and dogs!

  • Available flavors: Chicken Breast, Wild Alaskan Salmon
Cat-Man-Doo Life Essentials Cat Treats

Cat-Man-Doo Life Essentials Cat Treats

Why Wag! loves Cat-Man-Doo Life Essentials Freeze-Dried Cat Treats

  • Made with 100% fresh meat
  • Can be dehydrated with warm water for a soft snack
  • High in protein
  • Suitable for cats and dogs

Considerations & concerns

  • On the pricey side
  • Can become crumbly in transit

What pet parents say about Cat-Man-Doo Life Essentials Freeze-Dried Cat Treats

"My 13 year old boy loves these! Quality freeze dried treats that are somewhat soft and chewy., but don’t fall to pieces like a lot of other brands. The chicken treats are also very good!"

"My dog and cats get to have this treat together because it's good for both cats and dogs. They LOVE these and get so excited when they see the bag."

"My cats are crazy for this chicken treats and this is only they would eat. They didn’t like other chicken treat from different brand names."

Read more reviews on Chewy.

Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Cat-man-doo.




American Journey Soft & Chewy Cat Treats

Paw iconPaw iconPaw iconPaw iconPaw icon
5
Verified ribbon icon

Best soft grain-free cat treats

Check out American Journey Soft & Chewy Cat Treats if your cat is missing a tooth or two but still loves to be spoiled with a scrumptious snack. Each treat's soft, moist texture means they're a superb choice for cats with dental issues. 

Produced by the folks over at Chewy, these grain-free cat treats are made with real meat and limited ingredients. Free from corn, soy, and artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors, American Journey has crafted a cat treat that includes only the good stuff. 

  • Available flavors: Chicken, Duck, Salmon
American Journey Soft & Chewy Cat Treats

American Journey Soft & Chewy Cat Treats

Why Wag! loves American Journey Soft & Chewy Cat Treats

  • Real meat as the top ingredient
  • No artificial flavors, preservatives, or colors
  • Only 2 calories per treat
  • Affordable

Considerations & concerns

  • Chickpeas are the second ingredient, which are high in fiber and could upset a cat's stomach

What pet parents say about American Journey Soft & Chewy Cat Treats

"My 13 year old cat has trouble chewing hard treats and did not like many other soft treats that we tried. She likes all the American Journey [soft] and chewy treats."

"I needed a treat for my kitty with multiple food allergies as a reward after taking her new medication. She has quickly become conditioned and accepts the medication much more readily, knowing she will get this delicious and healthy treat!"

"My cat loves these treats, she is always trying to get into the bag, I highly recommend this product."

Read more reviews on Chewy.

Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Chewy, Inc.

FAQ

Are grain-free treats good for cats?

plus-wag-green-icon

Are grain-free cat treats suitable for kittens and seniors?

plus-wag-green-icon

Are grain-free cat treats better for diabetic cats?

plus-wag-green-icon

Learn more in the Wag! app

Five starsFive starsFive starsFive starsFive stars

43k+ reviews

Install


© 2024 Wag Labs, Inc. All rights reserved.


© 2024 Wag Labs, Inc. All rights reserved.