Cats or kittens are adorable pets, but you need to look after them if you want them to be healthy and safe. Treating a feline with a delicious snack every now and then is alright, as long as you know what to buy. Remember that cats tend to gain weight quickly and develop health issues like diabetes. Also, treats should not account for more than 10% of the calories consumed by your pet. However, if you want to use treats for training or rewarding your cat, here are some essential tips for buying healthy cat treats:

• Get treats free from corn, soy, and wheat
  Wild cats don’t just eat meat but also derive fiber from the content of the stomach of their prey. And although house cats live differently, their dietary needs remain the same, which implies that carbohydrates are not suitable for cats. So, the treats you buy should be free from filler ingredients like wheat, corn, and soy, as they do more harm to your cat than good.
• Ensure that the treats do not contain added sweeteners
  Checking the label to ensure that the snack doesn’t contain any added sweeteners is one of the most important tips for buying healthy cat treats. Surprisingly, several cat treats you pick off the shelves in the supermarket contain sugar or corn sugar even though cats cannot taste sweetness. Besides, cats are prone to diabetes, making overconsumption of sweets all the more harmful to their health. So, no matter the claims of a brand to offer the tastiest and even the healthiest cat treats, ensure that they are free of added sweeteners.
• Remember not to buy treats with meat by-products
  You might assume that meat by-products will make your cat treat healthy, but the fact is just the opposite. It has been found that these meat by-products are deemed unfit for human consumption and can harm your cat’s health as well. So, one of the lesser-known tips for buying healthy cat treats is to avoid these meat meals that promise health and taste but are not all beneficial for your pet’s health.
• Check the label for added sodium
  As a feline owner, you must be aware that your pet’s foods should be free of added flavors and preservatives, but while buying cat treats in particular, you must also check for added sodium content. Excess salt or sodium can cause dehydration in cats, leading to the development of kidney stones, which cats are prone to.

Apart from following these tips for buying healthy cat treats, remember that treats are best given in moderate amounts. You must also consult a vet to know which treats to buy, especially if your cat is prone to food allergies.