Finding genuinely healthy cat treats in Australia is harder than it should be. Most of what is on the shelf is high in filler, low in real protein, and unlikely to do anything useful for your cat beyond satisfying them in the moment. If you are giving treats regularly, it is worth knowing what you are actually giving.
This guide covers what makes a good cat treat in Australia, how often you should give them, how premium treats compare to supermarket options, the best options for dental support, and a look at the YumGuard Puree Star range and Fit 'n' Fun silvervine dental sticks available from our cat treats and accessories collection.
What Makes a Healthy Cat Treat in Australia?
A healthy cat treat should be built around real animal protein. Look for named protein sources such as chicken, tuna or hake listed first, and avoid anything where the first few ingredients are grains, starches or unnamed meat meals.
A good-quality cat treat will usually include:
- Taurine in the ingredients. Cats cannot synthesise enough taurine on their own, and deficiency is associated with serious health problems.
- No artificial colours or flavours. These add nothing and can trigger sensitivities in some cats.
- Short, recognisable ingredient lists. If you cannot identify it, your cat probably does not need it.
- No gum-based thickeners in wet or puree formats. These can cause digestive upset in sensitive cats.
Premium vs Supermarket Cat Treats: What Is the Difference?
Most supermarket cat treats are heavy on salt, flavour enhancers and grain-based fillers. Premium cat treats are usually different in a few important ways:
- Higher named meat content as the first ingredient rather than grain or meat by-product
- Fewer total ingredients, making them easier to digest and less likely to trigger sensitivities
- Functional additions like taurine, vitamin E, chlorella or antioxidant-rich fruit
- No artificial colours, flavours or preservatives
- Better ingredient transparency so you know exactly what you are giving your cat
Freeze-dried treats tend to have a higher protein concentration. Puree-style treats like YumGuard are gentler for older cats, and the licking action can also provide calming enrichment.
How Many Treats Can I Give My Cat Per Day?
Treats should make up no more than 10% of your cat’s daily calorie intake. For most adult cats, this is usually around 20 to 40 calories per day, depending on their size, diet and activity level.
How often should I give my cat treats?
Daily treats are fine if you stay within the 10% guideline and choose quality ingredients.
How many treats per day for a cat?
One to two small servings is usually enough. For example, one puree sachet can work well as a reward, enrichment tool or post-play treat.
How often can I give my cat treats?
Frequency matters less than quality and portion size. A small, high-quality treat given daily is better than frequent low-quality snacks.
How many natural treats can my cat have per day?
The same 10% rule still applies. Natural ingredients do not mean unlimited quantity.
Best Cat Treats Australia: The YumGuard Puree Star Range
The YumGuard Puree Star cat treats are available in 14g single-serve sachets and are free from gum, artificial colours and unnecessary additives. Every flavour includes taurine, vitamin E and chlorella powder to help support your cat’s everyday wellbeing.
| Flavour | Key Ingredients | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hake with Mango | Hake, mango, chlorella, sunflower oil, taurine, vitamin E | Good white fish option |
| Hake with Apple | Hake, apple, chlorella, tapioca starch, taurine, vitamin E | May support digestion |
| Tuna with Pumpkin | Tuna, pumpkin, chlorella, sunflower oil, taurine, vitamin E | Gentle option for sensitive stomachs |
| Tuna with Pineapple | Tuna, pineapple, chlorella, taurine, vitamin E | Includes pineapple, traditionally associated with digestive support |
| Chicken with Cranberry & Blueberry | Chicken breast, potato, cranberry, blueberry, chlorella, taurine, vitamin E | Includes antioxidant-rich fruit |
| Combo Pack | All flavours, 36-pack, free shipping | Best starting point |
Best Cat Dental Support in Australia: Silvervine Dental Sticks
Dental disease is one of the most common health issues in cats. Brushing is the gold standard, but most cats will not tolerate it.
The Fit 'n' Fun Silvervine Cat Dental Sticks are a natural enrichment and dental support option for cats who will not sit still for a toothbrush. They are not a food treat. Silvervine is a natural, non-addictive and safe plant-based stimulant that can help promote relaxation, playfulness and chewing activity.
What Are Silvervine Dental Sticks?
Silvervine is a natural plant from East Asia that many cats respond to, including some cats that do not react to catnip. It can encourage playful behaviour, relaxation and chewing, making it useful for enrichment and dental support.
The Fit 'n' Fun Silvervine Cat Dental Sticks are wrapped in organic sisal rope, which creates friction against the tooth surface as your cat chews. This chewing action may help support dental hygiene by helping to reduce plaque build-up over time.
Each stick also includes a dried gall fruit and natural raffia to encourage play.
How Often Should Cats Use Silvervine Dental Sticks?
Silvervine dental sticks should generally be offered 2–3 times per week, rather than every day. Each session should last roughly 30 minutes to an hour.
While silvervine is safe and non-toxic, daily use may cause some cats to become desensitised to it, which can make the stick less effective over time. Limiting use helps maintain the novelty and prevents overstimulation.
For best results:
- Offer the stick 2–3 times per week
- Limit each session to around 30 minutes to an hour
- Store the stick in its individual sealed bag between uses
- Supervise your cat while they chew
- Replace the stick when it becomes too small, unsafe or no longer produces a reaction
If the stick starts to lose its scent, gently rub or shave the outer layer of bark to expose fresh wood. This can help renew your cat’s interest.
Are Silvervine Dental Sticks Safe for Cats?
Silvervine is generally considered safe, non-toxic and non-addictive for cats. However, cats should always be supervised while using a silvervine stick, especially if they are active chewers.
Small pieces can break off during chewing, which may pose a choking risk. Replace the stick once it becomes too small to be used safely or if the rope starts to unravel.
Because silvervine can be more potent than catnip, some cats may have a strong reaction. This may look like high energy, rolling, rubbing, chewing, drooling or deep relaxation. These reactions are usually temporary, but supervised use is recommended.
If your cat has known health issues, dental problems or a history of chewing and swallowing non-food items, check with your vet before use.
Best Natural Dental Support for Cats That Hate Brushing
For cats that hate brushing, silvervine dental sticks can be a practical way to encourage chewing and play. Your cat does the work themselves, chewing and rubbing the stick willingly.
This makes silvervine sticks a useful addition to a dental routine, especially for cats that resist toothbrushes or dental gels. They should not replace veterinary dental care, but they can support a more consistent at-home dental routine.
How to Use Healthy Cat Treats for Enrichment and Training
Healthy cat treats and enrichment tools can be used in different ways depending on your cat’s needs.
Training and recall
Puree treats are excellent high-value rewards for recall, carrier training or cat wheel training. The licking action can also be naturally calming.
Post-exercise reward
A small puree treat immediately after a cat wheel session can help reinforce the behaviour and make exercise feel rewarding.
Dental enrichment
Offer a silvervine dental stick 2–3 times per week for supervised chewing sessions. Store it in its sealed bag between uses to keep it fresh and potent.
Where to Buy Healthy Cat Treats in Australia
The full YumGuard Puree Star range, the YumGuard Puree Star Combo Pack and the Fit 'n' Fun Silvervine Cat Dental Sticks are available from the Fit 'n' Fun cat treats and accessories collection with free shipping Australia-wide.