In cat training, the treat is the paycheck. You can have flawless timing and a perfectly charged clicker, but if your cat doesn’t care about the reward in your hand, nothing happens. Choosing the right treats — and using them well — is quietly one of the biggest levers in how fast your cat learns. This guide covers what makes a great reward, how to build a value hierarchy, how to keep treats healthy, and a few DIY ideas.
The four qualities of a great training treat
- Small. Pea-sized or smaller. You’ll deliver many rewards in a session, and a treat the cat can swallow in a second keeps the rhythm going (and the calories down).
- Smelly. Cats lead with their noses. A strongly aromatic treat — fish, liver, freeze-dried meat — grabs attention and feels worth working for.
- Soft. Soft or lickable treats are eaten instantly. A crunchy biscuit that takes time to chew breaks your training flow and lets the cat lose focus.
- Special. The single most-overlooked rule: reserve your training treats only for training. A treat the cat gets all day long isn’t a reward — it’s background noise.
Build a treat value hierarchy
Not all rewards are equal in your cat’s eyes, and smart trainers exploit that. Figure out which treats your cat rates as “good,” “great” and “jackpot,” then spend them strategically: ordinary treats for easy, familiar behaviors, and your cat’s absolute favorite for hard new skills or big breakthroughs.
| Tier | Examples | Use for |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday | Commercial crunchy treats, a piece of kibble | Warm-ups, easy known behaviors |
| High value | Freeze-dried chicken/salmon, soft meaty treats | New skills, building duration |
| Jackpot | Lickable purée, tuna flake, cooked plain chicken | Breakthroughs, scary situations (vet, carrier) |
Keep it healthy: the 10% rule
Treats add up fast, and feline obesity is a serious, common health problem. The widely used veterinary guideline is that treats — including training rewards — should make up no more than about 10% of your cat’s daily calories. Two easy ways to stay within budget:
- Go tiny. Break treats into the smallest pieces your cat will still happily take. A single commercial treat can often be split into three or four training rewards.
- Use the meal. On heavy training days, set aside a portion of your cat’s normal wet or dry food and use that as the reward, then reduce the bowl accordingly. Many cats happily work for their own dinner.
Quick DIY training treats
You don’t need a special purchase to start training today. Tiny flakes of plain cooked chicken (no salt, no seasoning), a smear of plain canned tuna in water, or a lick of a meat-based purée are jackpot-tier rewards for most cats and cost almost nothing. Keep a small portion in the fridge, broken into training-sized bits, ready to grab for a five-minute session.
When the reward isn’t food
Food is the most reliable motivator, but it’s not the only one. A cat that lives to chase might work for three seconds with a feather wand. A snuggly cat might value a gentle chin scratch. And access rewards — opening a door, lifting onto a favorite windowsill — can be powerful. Read your individual cat, and use whatever it tells you it values most. That principle is the heart of all positive-reinforcement training.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best treats for training a cat?
Small, soft, smelly and high-value to your individual cat. Popular options include freeze-dried meat or fish, lickable purée treats, and tiny pieces of plain cooked chicken or tuna.
How small should training treats be?
Pea-sized or smaller — something the cat can eat in a second. Tiny treats let you reward many repetitions without overfeeding.
How many treats can I give during training?
Keep all treats, including training rewards, to no more than about 10% of your cat’s daily calories. Use very small pieces and trim meal portions slightly on heavy training days.
Can I train a cat without treats?
Yes, though food is the most reliable motivator for most cats. Some cats will work for play with a favorite toy, gentle praise, or access to a desired spot. Use whatever your cat values most.
Sources
- AVMA — Healthy weight & nutrition for pets
- ASPCA — People foods to avoid feeding your pets