Cats can be picky eaters, especially when it comes to treats. As pet owners, we want to reward our feline friends with snacks they’ll enjoy. But with so many treat options on the market, how do you know which flavors cats like best?
While there is no one-size-fits-all answer, research shows that cats tend to prefer certain flavors over others. Understanding your cat’s individual tastes and food motivations can help you choose treats that will make their whiskers twitch with joy. This article explores common feline flavor preferences and provides tips for choosing treats your cat will love.
Do cats have a sense of taste?
Cats have fewer taste buds than humans, but they can still detect four of the five basic taste sensations:
- Sweet
- Sour
- Bitter
- Salty
Cats lack receptors for detecting umami tastes. Their sense of smell is also weaker than dogs. However, despite having fewer taste buds, cats’ tongues are still highly sensitive. Their taste thresholds are similar to humans. This means cats can pick up on very small amounts of flavors. Their preferences and aversions to various tastes are strongly ingrained.
What flavor treats do cats naturally like?
Flavor preferences in cats trace back to their evolutionary origins as obligate carnivores. Their taste receptors evolved to detect flavors associated with meat and fish:
- Umami flavours from amino acids like glutamate, found in cooked meats
- Sweet flavours from simple sugars in blood or flesh
- Salty flavours from electrolytes in blood and body fluids
- Sour flavours from acids present in decomposing meat
Cats generally show a strong liking for meaty, fishy, and savory flavors. They are attracted to salty and sweet tastes, but deterred by excessive bitterness and sourness. Understanding these natural preferences can guide your treat choices.
Do cats like sweet treats?
Cats perceive sweetness differently than humans. They have a lower threshold for detecting sweetness and their sweet receptors are less adaptable. Cats initially show a strong liking for high-sugar foods. However, they react more neutrally to sweet flavors over repeated exposure.
While most cats enjoy treats with a mildly sweet flavor, overly sugary treats may put them off. Signs your cat treat is too sweet include lack of interest, exaggerated licking, or head shaking while eating. The best sweet treats for cats have a subtle sweetness complemented by richer, savory notes.
Good sweet treat flavors for cats:
- Honey
- Malt
- Bacon
- Tuna
- Cheese
- Chicken
- Liver
Do cats like salty treats?
Most cats are attracted to the taste of salt. A slightly salty flavor accentuates the flavors cats naturally crave from meat.
However, too much dietary sodium is unhealthy for cats. Avoid treats with added salt near the top of the ingredients list. Ideal cat treats have a subtle salty note balanced out by other enticing flavors.
Good salty treat flavors for cats:
- Salmon
- Anchovy
- Chicken broth
- Bacon
- Duck
Do cats like sour treats?
Cats have a neutral or weakly positive reaction to mildly sour flavors. Their taste receptors are sensitive enough to detect and avoid an excessively sour taste.
Sour-flavored cat treats often include yogurt, cheese, or vitamin C sources like amla berry. These impart a gentle tartness cats find palatable when combined with more savory flavors.
Good sour treat flavors for cats:
- Yogurt
- Cream cheese
- Amla berry
- Cottage cheese
- Cheddar cheese
Do cats like bitter treats?
Cats are highly sensitive to bitter tastes. Their mouths contain over 70 bitter taste receptors, more than humans. Bitter flavors act as natural deterrents against toxic plants and spoiled foods.
While small amounts of bitterness from herbs and teas are fine, overly bitter cat treats can cause gagging or refusal to eat. Stay away from strongly bitter ingredients like grapefruit, coffee, or dark chocolate. Instead, choose treats with cat-friendly flavors that mask any bitterness.
Do cats like spicy treats?
Spicy hot flavors like capsaicin from chili peppers taste bitter to cats. Their acute bitter sensitivity makes most cats recoil from spicy foods.
Certain herbs like catnip may smell enticing despite having a mildly bitter, slightly spicy flavor. But generally, spicy treats are not recommended for cats. Flavors like hot sauce or chili spice will likely burn sensitive feline taste buds.
Do cats like savory umami treats?
Though cats cannot taste umami flavors, they do enjoy savory treats that contain umami-rich ingredients:
- Meat broths
- Yeast extracts
- Roasted meats
- Aged cheeses
- Soy sauce
- Cured meats
These ingredients provide a hearty, meaty richness cats naturally crave. When shopping for treats, look for words like “roasted” or “braised” which indicate fuller umami flavor.
What are the best meat treat flavors for cats?
Cats are drawn to the flavors of various animal proteins. When choosing a meat-based treat, opt for simple formulations featuring a single novel protein source:
Best single protein cat treat flavors:
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Duck
- Venison
- Rabbit
- Salmon
- Cod
- Tuna
Avoid heavily processed mystery meats. Prioritize treats with high-quality protein from fresh meat or fish. Rotating proteins also helps prevent cats developing food sensitivities.
What are the best fish treat flavors for cats?
Many cats go crazy for the flavors of fish and seafood. The most popular fish-based cat treat flavors include:
Best fish and seafood cat treat flavors:
- Tuna
- Salmon
- Cod
- Anchovy
- Sardine
- Shrimp
- Crab
- Lobster
- Clam
Focus on wild-caught fish varieties whenever possible. Avoid ocean critters like shellfish if your cat has food allergies.
What dairy treat flavors do cats like?
Small amounts of dairy protein and fat are safe for most cats to consume. Many respond positively to creamy, cheesy, and custardy dairy treats like:
Best dairy treat flavors for cats:
- Cream cheese
- Cheddar cheese
- Yogurt
- Cottage cheese
- Ice cream
- Butter
- Goat milk
When giving dairy treats, introduce new foods slowly and watch for signs of intolerance. Lactose-free dairy products are gentler options for sensitive cats.
What human food flavors do cats like?
Though they should not make up the bulk of their diet, cats may covet the flavor of certain human foods as treats. Before offering people food, check it is safe for feline consumption.
Human food flavors cats often enjoy:
- Unseasoned boiled chicken
- Scrambled egg
- Plain yogurt
- Green peas
- Corn kernels
- Baby food meats
- Deli turkey
- Cottage cheese
Use common sense – avoid heavily spiced, salty, or sugary foods. Introduce new flavors gradually to watch for allergies.
What flavored cat treats should be avoided?
Certain flavors and ingredients are unsafe for cats. Avoid cat treats containing:
- Onion or garlic
- Chocolate
- Xylitol sweetener
- Grapes or raisins
- Macadamia nuts
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Excessive salt or sugar
Steer clear of flavor additives like artificial dyes, MSG, preservatives, and heavily processed mystery meats. Check treat labels carefully and call the company if in doubt.
How can I determine my cat’s favorite treat flavors?
Observing your cat’s individual taste preferences takes trial and error. Ways to pinpoint your cat’s perfect flavors include:
- Notice which food and treats they gravitate towards
- Pay attention to ingredients in favored treats
- Start with classic cat-friendly flavors
- Introduce new flavors slowly
- Try making your own flavored treats
- Look for lip licking, face rubbing, and other signs of enjoyment
Be patient – you may have to test out a few different varieties before discovering your cat’s ideal treat flavors.
Tips for choosing great flavored cat treats
When evaluating flavored cat treats, look for products that are:
- Made from high-quality ingredients – Real meats, minimal additives
- Single protein source – Helps avoid allergies
- Grain-free – More digestible for many cats
- Limited ingredients – Simpler is better
- Moderate fat and calorie content – Don’t overdo treats
- Natural flavors – No artificial additives
- Moisture-rich – For interest and hydration
Checking reviews from other cat owners can provide helpful insight into which flavored treats get your cat’s seal of approval!
Conclusion
From fishy to cheesy to savory meaty, cats perceive taste sensations differently than humans. Understanding your cat’s evolutionary flavor preferences for meat, fat, and umami tastes informs which treats will entice their picky palate.
While individual tastes vary, most cats go crazy for pure meat proteins, seafood, and subtle sweetness balanced by richer flavors. Let your cat’s reactions guide you as you discover their favorite treat flavors. With so many options to choose from, keep treat time exciting by surprising your feline with new tastes they are sure to savor.