Somewhere along the way, cats got a reputation for being untrainable. The truth? Cats are smart, motivated, and every bit as capable of learning as dogs – they just have their own rules about it. The secret isn't dominance or endless repetition. It's the right reward at the right moment. And that's where the right treat changes everything.
First, a Quick Word for Our Cat People
You may begin to notice our cat-only SKUs winding down. Here's what that does not mean: we are not abandoning the kittehs. Not even close.
Every single one of our single ingredient treats and Training Bites is made for dogs and cats – the exact same clean, high-protein, made-and-sourced-in-the-USA recipe in every bag. They're dual-species by design, top to bottom. In fact, next time you're at your local pet store, don't be surprised to find them cross-merchandised on both the dog and cat aisles. Same treat, same nutrition, two very happy species.
So if your cat had a favorite, the favorite isn't going anywhere. It just might be sitting one aisle over.
Why Treats Are the Whole Game with Cats
Dogs often work to please you. Cats work because there's something in it for them. That makes a high-value, irresistible reward the single most important tool in cat training.
Two things matter most:
- It has to be tiny. Cats are small, and training means lots of repetitions. You want a treat you can break into little pieces so you can reward again and again without overfeeding.
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It has to be worth it. Real meat beats filler-packed crunchies every time. A freeze-dried, single-ingredient treat smells and tastes like the real thing – because it is.
A Few Light Tips to Get Started
You don't need fancy equipment to start training your cat. You need patience, short sessions, and great treats.
- Keep sessions short. Two to five minutes is plenty. Cats check out fast when they're bored.
- Reward instantly. Mark the behavior you want the second it happens, then deliver the treat. Timing is everything.
- Try a clicker – or just your voice. A consistent sound that means "treat is coming" helps your cat connect the dots.
- Start simple. Sit, come, and target training (touching their nose to your hand) are great first wins. Leash walking and tricks come later.
- End on a high note. Always finish while your cat is still into it, so they're eager for next time.
The Purpose-Built Pick: Training Bites
Our Freeze-Dried Training Bites are built for exactly this kind of work. Made with just two real ingredients, under 2 calories per treat, and bite-sized for repetitive rewarding without the guilt. They come in four flavors, so even the pickiest cat has one to fall for:
The Nutrition Bonus: Taurine
Here's something dog owners don't have to think about as much, but cat owners absolutely should: taurine. Cats can't make taurine on their own – they have to get it from food. It's essential for healthy heart function, vision, and brain performance.
It comes down to this: cats are obligate carnivores. Their bodies are built to run on animal protein, not plants or fillers, and they depend on nutrients found only in meat. That's exactly what makes a real, single ingredient meat treat more than a reward for a cat – it's nutrition they're biologically wired to need.
Heart and liver are two of nature's richest natural taurine sources, and several of our dual-species treats deliver it in spades. Even better: because freeze-drying removes water, it actually concentrates the taurine. Our own lab testing showed freeze-dried chicken heart at more than five times the taurine of raw – so the treat in the bag is an even stronger source than the raw numbers suggest.
Heart treats:
- Turkey Heart Treats – among the richest natural taurine sources on the planet.
- Chicken Heart Treats – another taurine powerhouse cats go crazy for.
- Beef Heart Treats – rich in taurine plus B-vitamins, iron, and zinc.
Liver treats:
- Chicken Liver Treats – a natural multivitamin that's also a strong taurine contributor.
- Bison Liver Treats – a leaner novel-protein liver that's nutrient-dense and naturally taurine-rich.
- Beef Liver Treats – nutrient-dense and naturally taurine-rich.
- Turkey Liver Treats – a novel-protein option packed with vitamins and taurine.
So when you reward your cat for nailing that sit, you're not just bribing them – you're feeding them something that genuinely supports their health.
More Cat-Approved Treats Worth Stocking
Heart and liver get the taurine spotlight, but plenty of our other single ingredient treats are perfect for cats too – every one of them dual-species, clean, and high in real protein:
- Freeze-Dried Minnow Treats – a novel protein, low in calories, and loaded with omega-3s for skin, coat, and brain health. A perfect guilt-free training reward.
- Freeze-Dried Chicken Breast Treats – lean, high-protein, and easy to break into tiny training-sized pieces.
- Freeze-Dried Duck Neck Treats – a novel protein with whole-prey nutrition for cats managing sensitivities.
- Freeze-Dried Wild-Caught Salmon Treats – omega-3 rich and a novel protein cats find hard to resist.
- Freeze-Dried Pork Tenderloin Treats – a lean novel protein that breaks down nicely for repeat rewarding.
Train On
Cats can absolutely learn – and training is one of the best ways to bond with them, keep them mentally sharp, and burn off that 2 a.m. energy. All it takes is a little patience and a treat worth working for.
Our Training Bites and single ingredient treats are made for dogs and cats alike, so the whole fur family can join in. Find your cat's new favorite reward.
