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Best Training Treats for Cats 2024
Written by Adam Lee-Smith
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 07/31/2024, edited: 07/31/2024
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.
The key to training your feline friend is positive reinforcement—namely, praise, pets, and a few tasty treats. Finding a training treat your cat can't resist will make teaching them a few commands much easier.
You'll need to find treats that smell great, taste incredible, and leave your purring pal wanting more. Plus, you'll want treats that are low in calories, to prevent your fur-baby gaining weight while training.
If you're looking for the best cat training treats, you're in luck. We've rounded up the best cat training treats on the market to help you teach your kitty a trick or two!
Searching for more tasty treats for your purring pal? Check out our round-up of the best cat treats in 2024!Overview
Inaba Juicy Bites Soft & Chewy Cat Treats
From the creators of viral treat sensations, Inaba Churu Purées, comes the purrfect high-value cat training treat. Inaba Juicy Bites contain the same irresistible flavor as their lickable counterparts, with a quality cut of meat as the top ingredient and no artificial flavors, preservatives, or grains.
Inaba Juicy Bites are loaded with vitamin E to keep your kitty's coat sleek and shiny. At 15 calories per treat, they're best used as a high-value reward when your kitty performs an impressive trick like shaking hands or playing dead. They're also ideal if you're trying to distract your cat while trimming their nails or visiting the vet.
Available flavors:
- Fish & Clam
- Scallop & Crab
- Tuna & Chicken
Inaba Juicy Bites Soft & Chewy
Why Wag! loves Inaba Juicy Bites Soft & Chewy Cat Treats
- Irresistibly tasty — perfect for training
- Quality meat as the top ingredient
- Contains no artificial flavors or preservatives
- Uses dolphin-safe tuna in its recipes
- Enriched with vitamin E for skin and coat health
Considerations & concerns
- High in calories — best used as a high-value reward
- Spoil quickly if not sealed and refrigerated
What pet parents say about Inaba Juicy Bites Soft & Chewy Cat Treats
"My babies love Inaba Churu, so I tried these treats. A real hit! The treats are dessert after every dinner. ... Just a heads-up... the treats are a bit slimy."
"Though my two cats usually like very different flavors and textures, they both enjoy these treats. They are semi-soft and need to be kept sealed once opened, but they usually don't last too long any way."
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Inaba Foods (USA) Inc.
The Honest Kitchen Smittens Cat Treats
If you're searching for a crunchy kibble-shaped training treat for your cat, look no further than The Honest Kitchen Smittens. These treats are perfect for cats with food allergies and sensitive stomachs, as they contain only two ingredients: dehydrated meat and sea salt.
They're 100% human-grade, making them among the best-quality treats on the market. High in omega-3 fatty acids, these treats provide joint, skin, and immune system support. And at just two calories per treat, you can train your cat without worrying about their weight.
Available flavors:
- White Fish
- Herring
- Herring & Cranberry
Learn why we consider The Honest Kitchen to be one of the best cat food brands on the market in our comprehensive review!
The Honest Kitchen Smittens Cat Treats
Why Wag! loves The Honest Kitchen Smittens Cat Treats
- 100% human-grade
- Rich in omega-3 fatty acids
- Limited ingredients for sensitive stomachs
- High in quality protein
- Just two calories per treat
Considerations & concerns
On the pricey side
What pet parents say about The Honest Kitchen Smittens Cat Treats
"Both of our cats enjoy these treats. They are super crunchy and very cute in a little heart shape. Plus, most importantly, they are really healthy for them. This was evident the first time I opened the bag and was met with a fairly strong fish smell. I'm glad to endure it while treating my kitties."
"My cats love these so much they figured out a way to get into the drawer where I keep them, dug out the treat bag, and had the entire content GONE by the time I got in the morning. Never underestimate what 5 cats, working together, can get into! Now I need to order more."
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright The Honest Kitchen.
Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Treats
Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Treats are a must if your purring pal is mad about anything meaty. Each treat contains no added extras—just freeze-dried raw meat.
They're available in a range of flavors, from chicken liver to ahi tuna, meaning you're sure to find a recipe that'll please your fussy feline. Reasonably priced and with as little as two calories per treat, Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Treats is ideal for training your fur-baby.
Available flavors:
- Chicken Breasts
- Chicken Giblets
- Chicken Hearts
- Minnows
- Ahi Tuna
- Wild Alaskan Salmon
- Duck Liver
- Rabbit Bites
Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Cat Treats
Why Wag! loves Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Treats
- Made from a single ingredient
- Wide range of flavors
- No added hormones or antibiotics
- Two calories per treat
- Inexpensive
Considerations & concerns
Some pet parents said their cats wouldn't eat these treats
What pet parents say about Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Treats
"Wish I could share the video of her crunching away on this big boy. Whew! Idk how she does it. Franki will not touch them but Freya LOOOVES them! Just learned how to play fetch so she's living the treat life up lately! But these are by far her favorite!"
"One of my cats loves this treat so much that he is currently on a hunger strike and refuses to eat anything else besides this treat. I tried breaking up the minnow and mixing it in with his high value wet food, and he will only pick out the minnows and then meows for more. These treats are TOO good."
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Vital Essentials.
Blue Buffalo True Chews Natural Cat Treats
Check out Blue Buffalo True Chews if your cat's go-to treats are usually stick-shaped. These small sticks list a quality cut of meat as the top ingredient and contain no meat meals, animal by-products, or grains.
These treats are among the best for training as they're only 1.5 calories per treat, helping to prevent your cat becoming overweight. You can break them into smaller pieces to make them go even further during a long training session!
Blue Buffalo True Chews Cat Treats
Why Wag! loves Blue Buffalo True Chews Natural Cat Treats
- Lists a quality cut of meat as the top ingredient
- No meat meals or artificial flavors and preservatives
- No grains, soy, or wheat
- Only 1.5 calories per treat
Considerations & concerns
- Contains some lower quality ingredients like potatoes and pea starch
- Only available in chicken flavor
What pet parents say about Blue Buffalo True Chews Natural Cat Treats
"My cats that are fond of the chewier treats love these. They're not super soft or mushy, just the right amount of chew. They seem to be a healthy choice."
"The chunks are too big for my cats but they both like them when I tear them into bits. My one cat is very picky so that's pretty awesome in my book."
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Blue Buffalo Company, Ltd.
Tiki Cat Soft & Chewy Grain-Free Cat Treats
Tiki Cat Soft & Chewy Grain-Free Cat Treats will have your cat sitting on command in no time. As their name suggests, these treats are soft and a little chewy, making them ideal for training older felines with teeth problems.
Each recipe lists a quality meat cut as the number one ingredient and contains no artificial colors or flavors. They're also free from fruits and vegetables, which provide little nutritional value to cats. Each treat is just three calories, which makes them great for training.
Available flavors:
- Chicken
- Tuna
Tiki Cat Soft & Chewy Cat Treats
Why Wag! loves Tiki Cat Soft & Chewy Grain-Free Cat Treats
- Quality cue of meat as the top ingredient
- Reasonably priced
- Just 3 calories per treat
- Soft texture makes them great for older cats
Considerations & concerns
- Limited flavor options
- Contains ingredients with low nutritional value, like chickpea flour and potato flour
What pet parents say about Tiki Cat Soft & Chewy Grain-Free Cat Treats
"My three kittens love these treats. Tiki cat also makes baby treats for kittens, but these are so much softer that my cats love these more. Always a hit and I love to spoil my kitties with healthier treats like these."
"I like these soft and chewy treats and my cats scarf them up. I have to ration them. ;)"
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Tiki Pets.
Orijen Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Cat Treats
Freeze-dried treats are excellent for cat training, and Orijen Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Cat Treats are among the best. Orjen offers a variety of cat treat flavors made from 99% quality cuts of meat and no grains.
Orijen Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Cat Treat recipes support responsible farming practices, using free-run poultry and wild-caught flounder. Each treat is just one calorie, making them among the healthiest cat training treats around.
Available flavors:
- Original
- Grass-fed Lamb
- Regional Red
- Six Fish
- Tundra
Orijen Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Cat Treats
Why Wag! loves Orijen Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Cat Treats
- Made with 99% quality cuts of meat
- No grains or artificial ingredients
- Contains free-run poultry and wild-caught flounder
Just 1 calorie per treat
Considerations & concerns
- On the pricey side
- Some recipes contain multiple animal protein sources
What pet parents say about Orijen Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Cat Treats
"The first time my cat tried this treat, it really sounded like she said "I love you " after her first bite. She still loves it. She stops whatever she's doing and runs over whenever I pick up the bag."
"Our cats love these freeze dried treats. They are easy to chew. Even our fussy cat loves them. Will keep ordering these treats because they're good for them too."
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Images sourced from Chewy.
FAQ
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