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Click on a Cat Treat product for more info and give your cat the treat they so very much deserve.
Cat Treats Run Down…
Having the right cat treat for your kitty is important, not only during training but it keeps your cat happy as well. Cat Treats are fun to give and are a nice way of bonding with your cat. There are several brands and varieties of cat treats available from which to choose. Here are some tips to help you choose the best cat treat for your special kitty! Homemade treats are the best treats you could give your cat, provided they are made properly. Features to Consider in a Cat Treat # Quality of ingredients # Calories # Consistency of ingredients # Veterinarian-approved # AAFCO approval (see more below) # Nutritional excess or balance # Palatability, flavor, and appeal to cat # Safety # Cost A great solution to cat treats is to make your own at home, that way you know exactly what you are feeding your cat. This ensures your cat is free from any chemicals that might be found in those commercially available cat treats. Desirable Features of a Cat Treat The ideal cat treat is one made of good quality ingredients, moderate to low in calories, consistent in ingredients (thus unlikely to cause stomach upset from bag to bag), and very appealing to your cat. New cat treat formulations that minimize dental tartar may also be beneficial to some cats however the overall effectiveness of this relative to the teeth is debatable. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) publishes feed regulations and ingredient definitions. If the cat food (or cat treat) follows the guidelines set forth by AAFCO, the label will include a statement that says "Formulated to meet the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profile for Kittens/Adults/Senior.”) Some companies create treats to be in compliance with the AAFCO standards, most companies producing cat treats do not. It is also ideal if the treats you choose don't cost you a fortune! Ideal Choice of a Cat Treat # Choose a cat treat that is complete and balanced and ideally formulated to meet AAFCO approval. Tips for Buying Cat Treats # Good nutrition may be the most important factor affecting your cat's health. This is especially true in growing kittens. Feed the best quality food you can afford. Do NOT supplement cat treats for a good quality cat food diet. # There is nothing in a cat treat that is nutritionally required for your cat if he or she is on a good quality food. They are just that, a “treat” or a “snack”, not dissimilar to potato chips or a Snickers bar for us. We like it, but don't necessarily “need” it. # Consider low-calorie cat treats for cats with weight control problems. Another alternative is to break up cat treats into small pieces to make them last longer, thus giving less (and less calories). # Some cats really like canned food and consider that a wonderful cat treats. Some cat owners' feed small amounts of canned food twice daily to supplement their cat’s core dry food diet. The benefit to this approach is that it gives you a good opportunity to observe your cats' appetite twice a day, which is hard when feeding only free choice dry food. # Another economical option for a cat treat is to feed a different dry food as a treat. The new formulations of the Fancy Feast® Gourmet Gold™ dry formulations are a favorite of many cats. The dry formulations come in Chick & Turkey and Ocean Fish & Salmon both, which are AAFCO approved. If you want to feed a good quality diet such as Hills® Science Diet® as the core dry food diet, you could supplement with a few home made cat treats as a special “ cat treat”. # It is not a requirement to meet AAFCO standards in order to sell cat food or cat treats, so buyers beware. Check the labels and compare products. This is why again homemade cat treats are still the best. |
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