Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Most kittens can start having treats at eight weeks old, once they are fully weaned onto kitten food. Choose small pieces, count their calories as part of the daily diet, and keep treats below 10% of daily calories. Treats are extras—not a substitute for the complete, balanced food a kitten needs to grow.
1. Wait until your kitten is ready
Do not introduce treats before your kitten is at least eight weeks old and fully transitioned from its mother’s milk or formula to kitten food. Treats do not provide the complete nutrition needed for growth, so they should not displace a balanced kitten diet. Purina’s kitten feeding guidance gives this age and weaning advice.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
2. Choose a treat that fits
Look for treats intended for kittens, or choose pieces small enough for your kitten’s mouth. Some adult cat treats may be too large or calorie-dense. A small, manageable shape can lower choking risk; supervise your kitten while it eats. The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) advises selecting treats appropriate to the cat’s size and supervising treat-giving.
3. Check calories per piece
Read the package for calories per treat before deciding how often to offer it. If the label does not give calorie information, ask the manufacturer or your veterinarian rather than estimating. Treat calories vary by product, so an average cannot tell you how much a particular kitten should have. VCA’s cat treat guidance notes that calories differ by brand.
#1 Best Overall
- Supports Growing Kittens: These delicious daily treats for kittens up to 1 year of age are formulated to support your growing kitten’s immune system, and are made with DHA for brain and vision development
- Made with natural ingredients Plus Vitamins, Minerals and Other Nutrients: Crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, these dual texture chicken flavored treats are nutritionally complete and balanced for kittens
- Designed for Daily Treating: No artificial flavors, preservatives, or fillers, and less than 2 calories per treat make these healthy kitten treats the perfect daily snack
- Treats with a Higher Purpose: Feline Greenies Smartbites cat and kitten treats are an irresistible snack that deliver essential health benefits for your Feline family members
- Discover More from Feline Greenies: Continue to support your cat’s health as they age with Feline Greenies Dental Treats to clean teeth and freshen breath
4. Set a daily treat limit
Keep all treats and other extras below 10% of your kitten’s daily calorie intake. This is a ceiling, not a kitten-specific target or a universal number of treats: both calorie needs and treat sizes vary. WSAVA’s 2024 guidance states, “Treats should always make up less than 10% of a cat’s daily calorie intake.” Its calorie table is for average healthy adult cats in ideal body condition, not growing kittens, so do not use its adult figures as a kitten allowance.
Account for treats when portioning meals, while keeping the main diet complete and balanced for kittens. For illustration—not as a kitten serving recommendation—VCA Canada describes a hypothetical cat needing about 200 calories a day: 180 calories from complete, balanced food and 20 from treats. The example does not establish the needs of an individual kitten.
Rank #2
- FORMULATED SPECIFICALLY FOR KITTENS: This hydrating kitten treat is packed with vitamins D and A to support strong bone development and healthy eyes. It also includes calcium and phosphorus to help promote healthy growth, making it a tasty and nutritious reward for your growing kitten.
- HANDHELD LICKABLE TREAT: Delicious, thick and creamy puree that makes hand-feeding and socializing with your kitten easy, fun, and rewarding with this interactive bonding treat.
- BOOST HYDRATION & SUPPORT FELINE HEALTH: Unlike dry treats (often only 10% moisture), Squeeze Up delivers up to 90% moisture, helping to increase your cat's daily water consumption.
- MADE WITH PREMIUM INGREDIENTS YOU CAN TRUST: All Delectables treats are crafted with high-quality ingredients and proteins to support your cat’s health and happiness.
- NUTRITIONALLY COMPLETE & BALANCED FOR KITTENS:This recipe is nutritionally complete and balanced, including key nutrients found in mother's milk, and contains no fillers, by-products, or added preservatives.
5. Reward the behavior you want
Offer a tiny piece after a behavior you want to encourage, such as calmly approaching you or entering a carrier. Positive reinforcement uses a reward to support a desired behavior. Keep training sessions short; Purina suggests trying them before mealtimes. VCA Canada recommends small kibble, low-calorie treats, or pieces that can be divided into several small rewards.
6. Use food and non-food alternatives
Your kitten’s regular kibble can work as a training reward. Measure it from the day’s food allowance so it does not add extra calories. Play, affection, or a toy can also reward your kitten, letting you reinforce behavior without giving food every time. VCA Canada’s training guidance discusses these alternatives.
Rank #3
- Cat Treats Made For Kittens: Formulated to support the needs of your growing kitten
- Under 2 Calories Per Treat: Feel good about rewarding your cat every day because these crunchy and soft cat treats are each under 2 calories and can be used as cat snacks, meals, or cat food toppers
- Supports Kitten Growth: Temptations treats for kittens include DHA to help support healthy brain development
- Convenient Stay-Fresh Pouches: Resealable cat treats Temptations variety pack pouches make for easy treating and keep your cat's paws off when you're not watching
- Cats Can't Resist: Your cat can't wait to get their paws on these irresistible crunchy cat treats that are crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, so shake the pack and they'll come running
7. Avoid risky foods and account for health needs
Do not give kittens table scraps, bones, or raw animal-based treats. WSAVA warns that bones can cause significant damage and unprocessed raw animal products can transmit pathogens. It also advises avoiding milk and dairy because many cats are lactose intolerant.
Keep treats containing toxic ingredients away from your kitten. WSAVA lists onions, leeks, shallots, garlic, chives, grapes, raisins, currants, sultanas, chocolate, xylitol, alcohol, raw yeast dough, and caffeinated drinks. VCA’s training guidance also cautions against macadamia nuts and salty snack foods. If you are unsure whether a food is safe, ask your veterinarian or a poison-control resource before offering it.
Rank #4
- Supports Growing Kittens: These delicious daily Greenies kitten treats for kittens up to 1 year of age are formulated to support your growing kitten's immune system and are made with DHA for brain and vision development
- Made with natural ingredients Plus Vitamins, Minerals and Other Nutrients: Crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, these dual texture chicken flavored soft kitten treats are nutritionally complete and balanced
- Designed for Daily Treating: No artificial flavors, preservatives, or fillers, and less than 2 calories per treat make these healthy, soft and crunchy cat training treats, the perfect daily snack
- Treats with a Higher Purpose: Feline Greenies Smartbites kitten and cat treats for indoor cats are an irresistible snack that deliver essential health benefits for your Feline family members
- Discover More from Feline Greenies: Continue to support your cat's health as they age with Feline Greenies Dental Treats to clean teeth and freshen breath
A kitten with a diagnosed health condition, food sensitivity, or veterinary-prescribed diet may need an individual treat plan. Check with your veterinary team before adding treats or changing the diet.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Squeeze Cat Treats With Quality Ingredients: This Temptations Lickable Puree Cat Treat variety pack is made with no added sugars, no fillers, and no artificial preservatives, although trace amounts may be present due to potential cross contact during manufacturing
- High Moisture Kitten Treats: These Temptation cat treats are high in moisture to support your kitten's hydration
- Kittens Lose Their Cool: Temptations soft kitten treats are not only irresistibly creamy and flavorful but can also be used as cat food toppers that your kitten will come running for
- Cat Lickable Treats Fewer Than 15 Calories Per Pouch: Temptations Lickable Puree squeeze cat treats have fewer than 15 calories per pouch, so you can bribe your furry friend with these cat snacks and not feel guilty
- Made With DHA: This Temptations puree cat treat is made with DHA to help support healthy brain development in kittens
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
