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Lickable cat treats are a great way to bond with your cat, appeal to your cat’s appetite, add hydration, and reward your cat’s good behavior. Lickable cat treats usually come in squeezable pouches or tubes and have a creamy mousse or bisque-like consistency. They’re basically like Go-Gurt, but for cats. Packed with intense flavor, they’re very popular—and often irresistible—with most cats.
Lickable treats can be squeezed directly from the package, frozen into meat popsicles, or used as a food topper. Katy Felton, DVM, CCPR, veterinarian and owner of Grateful Heart Veterinarian Clinic in Portland, Oregon, says it’s safe to give cats lickable treats at any age, though you should count the calories of each treat towards your kitty’s overall daily calorie intake.
Our favorite lickable cat treat is the Inaba Churu Chicken and Tuna Variety, a 20-pack of five classic cat flavor favorites in variations of chicken and tuna. These treats have a high moisture content, have a reliable creamy consistency, and are available almost anywhere. We also have picks for owners looking for lickable treats that target stomach issues, senior diets, and more.
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Churu reigns supreme when it comes to lickable cat treats—it’s unlikely you’ll find a cat that bats this lickable treat away instead of pulling it closer. This gold standard of lickable treats comes in a slew of flavors and several combinations of flavor variety packs, though you can never go wrong with the classic tuna and chicken variety pack. It’s a great way to give your cat a little variation or to test out which flavor really drives them wild.
Churu sticks have a stable, creamy consistency and are squeezed out of the tube like toothpaste. Each individual half-ounce serving can double as a food topper or be used for training, distracting, sneaking medication, or stimulating a lazy appetite. A word of warning, though: if your cat’s introduction to lickable cat treats is Churu, you might have a hard time transitioning them to a different brand of treat, regardless of the flavor.
Churu sticks are only about six calories per tube, do not require refrigeration until opened, and can be frozen and served like a push-pop to help your cat cool down in hot weather. Plus, they have a 91% moisture content, one of the highest of the bunch.
These treats are a grain-free, high-protein, and high-moisture option that works even for the pickiest of eaters. All tuna is wild-caught, and chicken is farm-raised; however, they do contain tapioca starch, which some cat owners try to avoid. This tuna and chicken variety pack has 20 tubes in five different flavor varieties that contain fish, chicken, and shellfish.
Primary Ingredients: Water, tuna or chicken, tapioca starch | Quantity: 20 | Calories: 6 calories per tube | Flavors: Tuna, chicken, tuna with chicken, tuna with scallop, chicken with scallop
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What We Like
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Contains mineral-rich seaweed and omega-3s
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Appropriate for all life stages and breeds
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Fish-based formula free of chicken
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No artificial colors, additives, or preservatives
What We Don’t Like
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Higher in calories
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Lower moisture content
If your cat’s coat is looking a bit dull or their skin is starting to get flaky, squeezing out these lickable Zesty Paws Omega Cat Mousse treats could be just the trick (or treat!) you need. The natural seaweed in these treats contains vitamins and minerals, but the real power is in the omega-3 fatty acids. These help nourish the skin and coat, making them shinier and more supple over time.
These treats can be especially helpful for cats on a kibble-only diet, even though they have a below-average moisture content of only 84%. Just keep in mind that the omega-3 and fatty oils make these treats more calorie-dense per serving. We like that they’re suitable for all breeds and life stages and that they don’t have any artificial additives.
Primary Ingredients: Fish broth, tuna tapioca starch, dried seaweed, yeast extract, flaxseed oil | Quantity: 18 | Calories: 9 calories per tube | Flavors: Tuna
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Vet visits or trips to the groomer can be stressful for many cats, so having a delicious little treat can help distract them and calm their nerves. Tiki Cat Veterinary Solutions Mousse Stix is perfect for these situations. Each 0.3-ounce tube contains a mere five calories, so you can give your cat more than one if necessary without worrying about exceeding their daily calorie intake.
These smooth and easily digestible treats are minimally processed with no additives or filters. However, they do contain xantham gum.
Primary Ingredients: Chicken broth, chicken, dried egg, natural tuna flavor | Quantity: 20 | Calories: 5 calories per tube | Flavors: Chicken, tuna
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What We Like
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All-natural ingredients
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No fillers, by-products, or preservatives
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High in protein and calories
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3 cat-friendly flavors
What We Don’t Like
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Produced in China, where labeling laws have loose regulation
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High calorie content may not be suitable for most cats
Puddino Lickable Treats stand out for their high protein content and thicker, pate-like consistency. These treats have around 30 to 50% more protein in each half-ounce tube than the average lickable treat, making them an excellent pick for pregnant or nursing cats (or any cat that requires a high-protein diet). They’re also labeled as appropriate for all life stages, and their high-calorie content (nearly 2-3 times more than average) can be advantageous for growing kittens and underweight, pregnant, or nursing cats who need more calories (however, they are also much higher in fat content).
We also like that the ingredients are simple and protein-based without any fillers or by-products. The company also claims the proteins are farm-raised, fresh, or pasture-raised, though this product is made in China, where labeling requirements are not as strict.
Primary Ingredients: Beef, duck, water, chicken, egg | Quantity: 20 | Calories: 14 calories per tube | Flavors: Beef, chicken, salmon
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What We Like
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Can feed treat by hand or use it as a meal topper
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No fillers or artificial flavors
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Good choice for cats with kidney issues
Unlike most lickable treats, this one comes in portioned spoons, so there’s no squeezing out of a tube and no mess—ideal for anyone with hand mobility issues. Plus, the spoon allows you to feed your kitty by hand. It contains no fillers or artificial flavors. However, it’s relatively low in protein (6 percent vs the average 9 percent), which can be empty calories for some cats, but a good choice for cats with kidney issues.
Primary Ingredients: Water, chicken, chicken by-product, chicken liver, tuna/salmon/cheese, natural flavor | Quantity: 24 | Calories: 5 calories per spoon | Flavors: Chicken and cheese, chicken and tuna, salmon and tuna
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Cafe Nara Lickable Treats for Cats come in classic chicken and tuna flavors and don’t contain any artificial preservatives or dyes. The first ingredient is water, giving them a high moisture content, and the second is protein.
We like that these natural, lickable cat treats are made with 100 percent human-grade ingredients, so we don’t feel like we are feeding our cat something we wouldn’t feel safe eating ourselves. The tuna is wild-caught, and the chicken is raised without hormones or antibiotics. These simple, single-protein ingredients make these treats ideal for kitties with sensitive stomachs.
The consistency is a tad thicker than other tube treats, which can be a win when it comes to messiness and chowing down for your cat. It also means these treats don’t work as well as a topper. You can feed your adult cat up to three sticks per day—though these treats are a pricier option and only come in packs of four, so you may find yourself rationing them out.
Primary Ingredients: Water, tuna, tapioca starch | Quantity: 4 | Calories: 4 calories per tube | Flavors: Chicken, tuna
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What We Like
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Seaweed provides essential omega fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals
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First ingredient is broth
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Contains flaxseed oil for skin and coat health
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No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
The Solid Gold Seameal Squeeze treats are a limited-ingredient lickable option that contains seaweed and flaxseed oil. Seaweed adds essential omega fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals that help aid digestion and strengthen immunity through gut health. Flaxseed oil boosts the fatty acids for a shiny coat and healthier skin.
We’re also big fans of the no artificial preservatives, coloring, or flavors—and that the first ingredient on every tube is either chicken broth or fish broth, followed by a protein. That said, the moisture content isn’t as high as some of the other treats that have water as their first ingredient. These lickable treats come in salmon, chicken, and tuna flavors and have a creamy consistency that makes it convenient to dispense straight from the tube or as a food topper.
Primary Ingredients: Fish broth, salmon, trout, tapioca starch | Quantity: 48 | Volume: 0.5 ounces | Flavors: Salmon, chicken, tuna
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What We Like
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Formulated with vitamins E and B
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Grain-free
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No artificial colors or added preservatives
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Is often accepted by fussy eaters
Unlike the other lickable treats on this list, these Hartz Delectables Stew Senior 10+ Lickable Cat Treats come in a pouch instead of a tube. This means they should be served in a dish or over food and not straight from the pouch.
Older cats may be slower to eat, have trouble swallowing, or lick repeatedly, making the pouch an easier delivery method. These stew pouches allow them to enjoy their food at their own pace and reduce the risk of choking.
We are fans of using these treats to entice senior cats to eat and help stimulate their appetite. The soft shreds of meat in gravy are easy for cats to lick up and don’t require heavy chewing, so they’re ideal for cats with dental issues or missing teeth.
We also like that these treats are specifically formulated with vitamins E and B to support aging cats’ health and contain no grains, added preservatives, or artificial colors. However, it does contain artificial flavoring guar gum. Each pouch is 14 calories, and you can feed your cat up to two per day—but it shouldn’t replace your cat’s usual meals since it is considered a treat and does not follow AAFCO regulations for adult nutrition.
Primary Ingredients: Water, chicken, tuna, tapioca starch | Quantity: 12 | Volume: 1.4 ounces | Flavors: Chicken and tuna
Final Verdict
Our favorite overall lickable treat comes as a surprise to no one: Churu. We particularly love the Inaba Churu Chicken and Tuna Variety pack because it has six different flavor combinations that nearly all cats will find irresistible. For cat owners looking for a lickable treat with a protein boost, we recommend Puudino Lickable Treats, which have up to 50 percent more protein per stick than the average lickable treat and come in three cat-friendly flavors.
What to Consider When Shopping for a Lickable Cat Treat
Flavor
One of the most important things Dr. Felton says to look for when shopping for lickable cat treats is something your cat will want to eat—it is a treat, after all. While you may not know what exact brand or flavors your cat will like before you try them, let your cat’s regular dietary preferences guide you. Also, try to avoid artificial flavorings since they are not necessary for a good-tasting cat treat.
Ingredients
Always check the ingredients list. While you don’t have to be as strict about the “junk food” ingredients you avoid in your cat’s regular food, you still want to try and keep treats as healthy as possible. Do this by avoiding additives and preservatives and focusing on lickable treats that use wild-caught or farm-raised proteins. Treats can be a great way to add variety or new flavors to your cat’s everyday meal routine, but be sure to monitor your cat (and its bowel movements) after you give them a new protein for the first time.
Consistency
The consistency of lickable treats can make or break your and your cat’s experience and also add to the treats’ versatility. For example, some tube treats are too watery to serve straight from the tube without creating a mess. These often work best as meal toppers. On the flip side, thick or chunky lickable treats may cause choking if given straight from the tube, but they work great as frozen pops on hot days. Beware of treats that are both watery and thick, as this inconsistency can make it more difficult to feed and eat.
Calorie Count
It can be easy to forget about the additional calories your cat is getting through treats, but it should be calculated into your pet’s daily diet count. This is especially true if you’ve got a chonk on a diet or a growing kitten. However, most lickable treats are less than 10 calories per serving, so don’t panic about feeding your cat a few extra here and there unless they are on a strict calorie-restricted diet.
FAQ
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How often can I give my cat a lickable cat treat?
Lickable treats can be given to cats daily, though you’ll want to be sure to account for the caloric value of each treat as part of your cat’s daily calorie intake. Most manufacturers share the same guidelines of keeping your cat’s caloric intake from treats under 10 percent of their daily calories. That is why, for kittens or smaller cats, it is especially important to do the math.
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Are lickable treats good for cats?
Dr. Felton notes that lickable treats are “a fine treat in moderation.” Lickable treats with high moisture content may also be a good way to help supplement a cat’s hydration. Cats are notorious for avoiding water intake, so offering up a tasty treat with water or broth as its first ingredient can be a sneaky way around this problem. Lickable treats should never replace your cat’s regular meal, but they can be an easy way to stimulate your cat’s appetite.
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Do lickable treats add hydration to a cat’s diet?
It depends on the treat, but most lickable treats have a high moisture content and contain water within their first few ingredients. While these treats can add hydration to your cat’s diet—and be a helpful way to sneak in some hydration for cats who are averse to drinking water—you should not rely on lickable treats to replace water in your cat’s diet. Always keep a bowl or more of fresh water available for your cat to drink.
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Are lickable cat treats calming for cats?
Lickable treats themselves are not calming to cats, but, depending on how much your cat likes a specific treat, they can be an excellent source of distraction, particularly in stressful situations like vet visits.
Why Trust The Spruce Pets
Katherine Alex Beaven is a lifelong cat owner who believes every cat (and human) deserves a regular serving of a great-tasting treat. She always has tasty, lickable treats on hand for her cat Bo as rewards, to top his food or stimulate his appetite, or to shamelessly train him into submission for nail clippings or better behavior.
For this article, she did hours of research, prioritizing quality, consistency, palatability, and ingredients. Alex also spoke to several vets, including Katy Felton, DVM, CCPR, owner of Grateful Heart Veterinary Hospital, to gain expert medical insight on how to select the best lickable cat treats. Alex has also written stories for The Spruce Pets on The Best Kitten Foods, Best Bone Broth for Cats, and Best Car Seat Belts for Dogs.
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