Cat Treats With Vitamins

Whether Frisky has been extra good lately or you enjoy spoiling her, it's nice to give her a treat. The trick is knowing what makes a good treat and to avoid over-indulging her. A few daily treats can add extra pounds. Treats should be healthy and infrequent enough to be considered a treat.

  1. Special Treats

    • The word "treat" implies something special, perhaps a reward for being good or getting through a rough day. If you want to give Frisky treats, it's important to view them as just that: A little something special she enjoys from time to time. Cornell University College of Veterinary recommends reserving treats for occasional use, but notes if they're going to be part of a cat's daily routine, they shouldn't exceed more than 10 to 15 percent of her diet.

    Treats with Vitamins

    • If you want Frisky's treats to be healthy, you have a lot of options, including treats with added vitamins. However, figuring out which treats will give her an extra boost might be a challenge. Not all nutrients are listed on cat food labels, so you may not know exactly what kind of vitamins are in Frisky's treats. As well, giving a cat too many vitamins can be harmful. Web MD notes too much vitamin C can cause urine that's too acidic and excess calcium and vitamin D can be toxic. However, if you limit Frisky's treat intake to no more than the amount recommended by Cornell University, she should be fine.

    Treat Recommendations

    • According to veterinarian Karen Becker, the healthiest pet treats don't contain rendered animal by-products, grain or unnecessary fillers, artificial preservatives or chemicals. She also recommends avoiding added sugar, including ingredients such as honey and molasses. Many mass-produced treats don't meet these requirements, but often your local pet store will carry products with healthy, human grade ingredients, which offer Frisky her best bet. Treats also can do double-duty, such as dental treats, which have chlorophyll to freshen funky breath, as well as added vitamins. Treats with glucosamine or chondroitin can help keep Frisky's joints in good shape.

    Treats to Avoid

    • Cornell University recommends avoiding raw meat as a treat, due to the risk of toxoplasmosis. Despite the sweet image of a kitten lapping a dish of cream, Frisky should avoid milk, which can cause stomach problems. Cats that enjoyed canned fish products meant for human consumption have developed dangerous neurological conditions, and too many fish treats, such as tuna flakes, can be addictive to cats.

    The Best Treats

    • If you want to keep it safe and simple, you can make Frisky's treat yourself. Dr. Becker recommends repurposing good quality canned food for healthy treats. Choose one of Frisky's stinkier preferred cat foods and spoon little treat-sized pieces on parchment paper covered baking sheets. Freeze the treats and transfer to an airtight container, storing them in the freezer until treat time. The treat will need a bit of thawing time, but she'll enjoy the little snack. Using a favorite food as a treat ensures she's getting the vitamins, minerals and other nutrition in proper amounts.

    Moderation

    • According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, approximately 57 percent of cats are obese or overweight. Treats can quickly add up if they're given to Frisky too often. The best, healthiest treat is a good dose of vitamin L -- meaning your love and affection. She can't get too much of that good thing, and it's not fattening.