Should I feed my cat treats?

Today we are digging into the UK Pet Food Obesity Report 2024 again, and this time we are focusing on the very interesting section on treats. In this article we dive into how treats are contributing to cat obesity and what advice the organisation gives for ensuring you're not overdoing it with cat treats.

Did you know?

• 37% of owners save bits of human food for their pet
• 22% give their pets a treat because it brings them closer together
• 26% of vets think treating them with human food is the primary contributor to obesity
• 19% of pet owners save a set number of treats after checking the caloric intake
• 29% of vets and owners agree that overfeeding treats may be contributing to obesity levels

Sarah Hormozi, Head of Education & Science, from UK Pet Food explains: “Animals have different nutritional needs than humans, and an imbalance in these ‘treats’ can contribute to weight gain and poor health. Human food is often too rich in salt, sugar, fat, and calories for pets to consume and thrive. It typically lacks the essential nutrients and balanced energy that pets require for optimal health.”

We need to highlight the different needs of different species to clearly explain to professionals and owners why pets cannot tolerate many human foods.

Some treats are beneficial for your cat, but don’t over do it

Commercial pet food treats play a useful role in motivating behaviour and assisting with training. They can also provide functional benefits such as teeth cleaning and nutritional support. 

Treats should be accounted for within your cat’s daily intake. Besides reinforcing the “10% rule,” it is important to highlight the high calorific values of all treats and then fit these into your cat’s daily calorie allowance. Our calorie calculator can help with this, or you can contact help@tippaws.com and we’ll help work out the trade-offs between treats and ‘normal’ meals in your cat's diet.  

What if my cat begs for treats?

Dr. Natalie Dowgray, at International Cat Care explains it’s not all about what you feed but also how you feed: “In cats, the opportunistic nature of their feeding behaviour means they may still take advantage of food even when they are not hungry.” Three of her tips to try and mimic aspects of natural feeding behaviours are:

1. Feeding small frequent meals
2. Increasing play and ending the session with a food reward
3. Using food puzzles and bowl-free feeding

In conclusion, while treats can be a rewarding and enjoyable part of your cat’s routine, it’s essential to manage them wisely to support your pet’s health. The UK Pet Food Obesity Report highlights the impact of excessive treating on cat obesity and reminds us that pets have unique nutritional needs, very different from ours. By limiting treats to 10% of daily intake, choosing treats with functional benefits, and incorporating healthy feeding practices like food puzzles and play, owners can help their cats maintain a healthy weight while still enjoying the occasional treat. Ultimately, a balanced approach to feeding treats and meals can foster a happier, healthier life for your feline friend.