Should i give my kitten treats

A small spoonful of meat-based human baby food makes a yummy treat for a growing baby kitty. Look for baby food without added onion, garlic or sodium, which can be harmful to your little guy. Kittens who are around 10 weeks old are able to chow down on both wet and dry foods, so you can give them a commercial treat here and there as a reward for good behavior. When purchasing treats for your little one, choose one that lists on the label that it meets the nutritional standards established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials.

Look for treats with a whole meat as the primary ingredient because this will provide Kitty with a good source of protein. Kittens actually need at least 22 percent protein in their diets to support healthy growth, according to the U.

Food and Drug Administration. This ingredient will be listed first because ingredients in commercial pet foods and treats must be listed by weight, following FDA regulations.

Treats are delicious, but too many treats can affect your kitty's health by filling his tummy with empty calories. A food specifically designed for kittens should be your little guy's primary source of calories since it's formulated to meet his nutritional needs. Think of cat treats like you would snack food for humans -- tasty, but not necessarily nutritious. How many cat treats is too much? Can too many cat treats be harmful? Read more about which human foods are poisonous to cats here. Too many catnip treats When it comes to giving your cat catnip as a treat, remember it is a natural plant and not addictive; but if your cat eats too much catnip, vomiting and diarrhoea can ensue.

If your cat eats too much catnip, remove it and they should be able to recover given time and care. How many treats should a cat have a day? When feeding the maximum number of treats To keep your cat active when feeding the maximum number of treats per day, mix cat treats into playtime. For example, you can hide treats around the home to stimulate your cats natural hunting instincts, attach them to the end of a toy to play chase or use an interactive treat dispensing toy. When not to treat Avoid using treats to reinforce bad behaviours including excessive meowing, clawing or biting which can also be signs of treat addiction.

If your kitten receives many treats per day, offer a brand that is at least 30 percent protein. Kitten treats typically have more protein than adult cat treats. Adult cats and kittens over 3 months of age love the smell of people food, but go easy on table scraps. Open a can of tuna and your kitten will turn up the meow volume until she gets a bite. Avoid giving her any people food that contains salt, sugar, preservatives or seasonings.

Opt for a pinch of raw or cooked hamburger, cheese or hard-boiled egg. Kittens love lapping up lukewarm milk from a saucer, but start with only a spoonful. Glenda Taylor is a contractor and a full-time writer specializing in construction writing.