by (Livin' La Vida) Mocha
"MMMMMMMMmmmmmmmm"
<whisker lick>
English Translation:
Cats enjoy treats for the same reasons
humans do -- they taste good. Many treats on the market
today have the added benefit of being healthy as well as
tasty. And, treats can serve several purposes: as a
training device, an encouragement and reward for
successfully completed commands, or for tolerating a
potentially unpleasant event (such as grooming or
medicating).
As with most things, simpler is better. The highest
quality treats are made of single ingredients: liver,
kidney, fish, chicken, and are dried or freeze dried. The
ones that are extruded (like dry food) or semi-moist have
the laundry list of ingredients. When shopping for
treats, do the same as when shopping for any food for
your cats. Avoid products that contain byproducts or
artificial flavors. And remember, an excess of any food
can result in an overweight kitty, so don't confuse
giving treats with giving your cat love and affection.
Favorite
treats:
Azmira's Beef Kidney Bits According to the package, these
are wholesome and fit for human consumption. They are
even federally inspected by The Food Safety Inspection
Service (a specialized division of the USDA). The chunky,
irregularly shaped pieces provide a lot of crunch and
have a strong meaty odor, which is attractive to cats.
Cost: $3.85 for 80 grams (sandwich bag size) Order via
phone: 800-497-5665
Thunderpaws' Chicken Bits Supreme These work especially
well as bribe food to be sprinkled on a stick or finicky
cat's dinner to encourage eating. It is also fit for
human consumption. These are a good choice for cats who
may be allergic to fish. Cost: $3.50 for 2 oz package
Order online: www.thunderpaws.com
Alaska Chum Chips Salmon is high in essential fatty
acids. The pieces are large enough to be fed as treats or
crumbled into food. Cost: $3.75 for 1 oz package Order
online: www.thunderpaws.com
lavidamocha@meowmail.com
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