FAQ: Treats for cats

Consider the cat's age, weight, teeth and health, then what the treat is for: training, teeth or just a treat. Start with a small pack so you can test whether your cat likes it.

Treats help a cat feel calmer in a new place or the carrier, but it is better not to feed a lot right before a car journey. If the cat gets motion sickness, reduce food a few hours before travelling and ask a vet.

Festive dishes often contain onion, garlic, spices, fat, bones, chocolate or alcohol, which are harmful to cats. During holidays it is better to treat the cat to something made for cats and ask guests not to feed it from the table.

Calendars made for cats have small treats for each day, but it is still worth keeping an eye on total calories. Keep the calendar out of the cat's reach so it does not tear open all the windows at once.

Heat and sun speed up fats turning rancid and treats spoiling, so keep them in a cool, dark place. In summer, opened soft treats are best used up sooner than usual.

Leave clear instructions on which treats and how many the cat may have per day, and note which human foods are not suitable for it. If the cat is on a diet or takes medicine in a treat, write that down too.

Catnip calms some cats but excites others, so try it at home before a journey. In the carrier, a familiar smell such as fabric from the cat's bed often helps more.

Catnip is a mint-family plant whose smell causes brief excitement or relaxation in a cat. Cat grass is usually sprouted oats or wheat that the cat chews, and it has no such effect.

Many essential oils, such as tea tree, citrus or mint, can be toxic to cats even in small amounts. Do not use them on a cat's toys or bed, and use only products made for cats for scent.

Bubbles with catnip scent made for cats use cat-safe ingredients and are a fun way to play. Do not let the cat lick the liquid from the bottle, and only use bubbles made for cats.

Persians, Maine Coons and other long-haired breeds swallow more hair while grooming, so they get hairballs more often. Daily brushing is especially important for them, and paste can be an extra help.

The oils and fibre in pastes can soften stools or cause diarrhoea when given in excess. In that case reduce the amount to what the pack states, and if the problem does not pass, see a vet.

They are pastes with beneficial bacteria or prebiotics meant to support the gut flora. They can help, for example, after a food change, but digestive problems that drag on should be checked by a vet.

A strong-smelling paste makes some cats lick and take an interest in food, but it does not solve an ongoing loss of appetite. If a cat does not eat for more than a day, especially if it is overweight, it must see a vet.

When the kitten's age allows, give just a little paste on your finger as part of play or stroking. That way, later on, when paste or lickable medicine is needed, the cat will accept it more easily.

Joint pastes and treats often contain glucosamine or omega fatty acids. If an older cat jumps less, limps or avoids stairs, see a vet first, because a supplement does not treat pain.

Dental treats are usually meant to be given daily or a few times a week; the manufacturer states exactly. They also need to be counted in the daily calories, because given regularly they add quite a lot.

Bad breath, drooling, chewing on one side, dropping food from the mouth or red gums can point to dental problems. In that case dental treats are not enough; the cat needs a vet check.

Cats often swallow ordinary dry kibble almost without chewing, so it does little to clean teeth. Dental treats or special dental food are designed so the cat chews them for longer.

Chews made for cats, such as dried fish skin or thin meat strips, can be enjoyed and give the teeth a little work. Give them under supervision and pick a size the cat cannot swallow in one big piece.