How often should cats eat cat treats?

Cat treats are considered snacks outside of the main diet, and it is not recommended to feed them to cats frequently. Occasionally, once or twice a week, and in moderation. Before feeding, ensure that the cat has eaten its main meal to prevent picky eating habits. Cat treats can be used as rewards for trimming nails, cleaning ears, etc., or as small props to enhance affection.

When choosing to feed cats with cat treats, owners need to be more cautious. The ingredients list on the back of the cat treat is crucial.

Among cat treats, thickeners always rank ahead, but it's up to the owner to judge which thickener is safer. Commonly used thickeners such as guar gum, locust bean gum, and xanthan gum are all acceptable. However, note that each cat treat can only contain one thickener. Two or more can easily lead to soft stools and diarrhea in cats, affecting gastrointestinal digestion.

In addition to thickeners, attention should also be paid to flavor enhancers. Small amounts of flavor enhancers can enhance the taste, but excessive consumption can lead to picky eating and a habit of only eating snacks, eventually causing nutritional deficiencies and trace element deficiencies in cats.

Besides that, water content is also worth noting. Cats are desert animals, and most of them don't drink enough water to support their entire body. However, they don't like to drink water. Choosing cat treats with a sufficient water content can indirectly supplement cats' water intake.

Lastly, it's essential for owners to let cats choose from different types of high-quality cat treats.