6 Novel Treats to Tempt Your Cat

Hint: start introducing little bits of extra treats when your cats are kittens. Kittens tend to be more adventurous, while cats are often a bit suspicious of new foods. If your cat is already an adult, fear not; you can still introduce new foods, it may just take a bit of perseverance. Experiment with a few different options and try offering them to your cat more than once before declaring the cat not a fan of a particular food.

1. Dried cranberries or cranberry powder

These tart berries are high in vitamin C and antioxidants. Cranberry may be helpful for cats that are experiencing urinary problems as it can help adjust the pH of your cats urine to make it more acidic, but this isn’t good in all cases and should be discussed with your vet before making diet changes. Dried cranberries can be shared with healthy cats, but note that they are high in sugar so should be shared sparingly.

2. Lean deli meats

Lean deli meats such as turkey, chicken, and ham make an easy treat many cats love. Deli meats are sources of protein but they can be high in salt and fat, so be sure to choose low fat and low sodium brands. Other deli meat treat options include bacon or wieners, but because of the high calorie content of these choices it’s best to keep these as a special occasion treat.

3. Chicken n’ Rice

Cats are notorious for vomiting. The best way to deal with an upset system is usually to withhold food for a short period (not more than 12 hours) to give the stomach a chance to rest, then reintroduce an easy-on-the-tummy
food. A mixture of boiled rice and chicken is a good place to start. This bland combination is usually well tolerated. (If your cat is sick for an extended period of time or is vomiting frequently, head to the vet to make sure nothing serious is going on.)

4. Carrots
These crunchy veggies are high in beta-carotene. Unlike most mammals, research indicates that cats don’t convert beta-carotene to vitamin A, but this doesn’t mean carrots are without feline health benefits. Carrots are high in fibre and low in calories, plus betacarotene has antioxidant properties which may be beneficial. Try steaming them before serving for increased palatability.

5. Canned tuna or salmon water
The water that tuna or salmon is canned with does not have much nutritional value, but it still makes a great treat for cats, one that many felines love. Freeze the tuna/salmon water into ice cube trays to have on hand for treat time. (Choose unsalted water-packed tuna or salmon as opposed to broth or oil packed.)

6. Broccoli
Another super food that islow in calories and high in beneficial nutrients such as fibre, vitamins, and phytochemicals, broccoli can be either steamed or fed raw. As a member of the brassica family, broccoli may cause some stomach upset so start out sharing small amounts with your cats to make sure they can tolerate it.