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10 Best Grain-Free Cat Treats – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

Nicole Cosgrove Profile Picture

By Nicole Cosgrove

Gray cat eating from the bowl As a cat owner, you surely want to shower your cat with lots of love and give him some healthy treats now and then. You may already know that there are many grain-free cat treats out there with some being better for your cat than others which makes it difficult to choose a healthy treat for your furry friend.

Like human snacks, cat treats can be packed full of calories which can be problematic when it comes to weight control and heart health. They can also contain grains that are difficult to digest, which can cause skin issues like rashes and hair loss. Additionally, cat treats come in a myriad of flavors from various types of fish to all kinds of meats.

To make your life easier, we’ve reviewed some of the best grain-free cat treats so you can pick one that’s best suited for your feline friend.

A Quick Look At Our Favorites in 2024

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Orijen Six Fish Freeze-Dried Cat Treats Orijen Six Fish Freeze-Dried Cat Treats
  • Protein-rich
  • Low in calories
  • All-natural ingredients
  • Best Value
    Second place
    PureBites Chicken Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Treats PureBites Chicken Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Treats
  • Low in calories
  • Easily digestible
  • Made from 100% USDA-inspected chicken breast
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    Halo Liv-A- Littles Cat Protein Halo Liv-A- Littles Cat Protein
  • High in protein
  • Cats enjoy the chicken aroma and flavor
  • The treats come in a resealable plastic jar for freshness
  • Best for Kittens
    Chura Tuna & Chicken Variety Cat Treats Chura Tuna & Chicken Variety Cat Treats
  • Easy to chew and digest
  • No preservatives or fillers
  • Many flavor options included
  • Blue Buffalo Wilderness Cat Treats Blue Buffalo Wilderness Cat Treats
  • Low-cost treats
  • Cats love the meaty flavor
  • Made with real deboned chicken and turkey
  • The 10 Best Grain-Free Cat Treats

    1. Orijen Six Fish Freeze-Dried Cat Treats – Best Overall

    Orijen Six Fish Freeze-Dried Cat Treats

    Key ingredients: Mackerel, flounder, monkfish, herring, Acadian redfish, silver hake
    Calories: 1 kcal per treat
    Flavor: Fish

    You can feel great about giving your cat Orijen Six Fish Freeze-Dried Cat Treats because these are low-calorie, nutrient-dense treats cats love. This is the best overall grain-free cat treat on our list because cats love the flavor of these fishy treats, and they only contain one calorie per treat. Additionally, these grain-free treats don’t contain any potentially harmful fillers, preservatives, or chemicals which is a big plus in our book! Orijen is a Canadian brand well-known for offering high-quality dog and cat food.

    Orijen Six Fish treats are slowly and carefully freeze-dried to lock in the goodness and bring out the natural taste and aroma of fish cats love.  There is nothing artificial in these treats as they’re made with six types of fish and all-natural ingredients including things like animal meat, organs, cartilage, and bone. These are flavorful, protein-rich treats that even the pickiest of cats will love devouring.

    One downside to Six Fish is that these snacks are rather costly which could be a problem for the budget-minded cat owner.

    Pros
    • All-natural ingredients
    • Low in calories
    • Protein-rich
    • Fish flavors cats love
    Cons
    • A bit costly

    2. PureBites Chicken Raw Grain Free Cat Treats – Best Value

    PureBites Chicken Breast Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Treats

    Key ingredients: Chicken breast
    Calories: 2 kcals per treat
    Flavor: Chicken

    PureBites Chicken Breast Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Treats are the best grain-free cat treats for the money. Not only are these treats affordable, but they also contain just one ingredient so you know exactly what you’re feeding your cat. These treats contain 100% USDA-inspected whole chicken breast with no preservatives or fillers. With their high-protein content and just two calories per treat, you can rest assured that your cat is eating a treat that’s good for him and easy to digest. These treats are freeze-dried when the chicken is fresh to lock in the texture and aroma cats crave.

    A negative aspect of these treats is that they tend to break apart easily. Some consumers report that there are lots of crumbs inside the bags. Despite that, we can recommend these grain-free cat treats without hesitation.

    Pros
    • Made from 100% USDA-inspected chicken breast
    • Low in calories
    • Easily digestible
    Cons
    • Treats tend to crumble and break apart in package

    3. Halo Liv-A- Littles Cat Protein Treats – Premium Choice

    Halo Liv-A- Littles

    Key ingredients: Chicken
    Calories: 8 kcal per treat
    Flavor: Chicken

    (Fill out the following bullet list:) Made for both cats and dogs, Halo Liv-A-Littles are hearty freeze-dried chunks of chicken breast. These grain-free treats are packed with flavor, enzymes, vitamins, and minerals found in the pure protein cats want and need. We like the fact that these treats come in a resealable plastic jar to keep them fresh and tasty. Like some of the other freeze-dried treats on our list, these treats are chewy and kind of tough, which could make them difficult for a young kitten or aging cat to chew. Liv-A-Littles do contain more calories than the top two grain-free cat treats on our list.

    However, that should not be a problem if you feed these treats to your cat in moderation. When you open this jar of chicken-flavored cat treats, don’t be surprised if your cat comes running! These treats are packed well to preserve the natural aroma and flavor of pure chicken.

    Pros
    • High in protein
    • The treats come in a resealable plastic jar for freshness
    • Cats enjoy the chicken aroma and flavor
    Cons
    • Can be tough for kittens and older cats to chew

    4. Chura Tuna & Chicken Pack Cat Treats – Best for Kittens

    Chura Tuna & Chicken Variety Pack Grain-Free Cat Treats

    Key ingredients: Tuna, chicken, water, tapioca
    Calories: 6 kcal per tube
    Flavor: Tun and Chicken

    Chura Tuna & Chicken Variety Pack Grain-Free Cat Treats are perfect for young kittens and even older cats with dental issues. Inside the resealable plastic jar are (50), 25-ounce tubes of soft puree’ cat treats in multiple flavors including Tuna Recipe, Tuna with Salmon Recipes, Chicken Recipe, and Chicken with Cheese Recipe. Kittens won’t have any problems devouring these 100% grain-free soft treats that are made without artificial preservatives or colors. These treats are perfect for giving a cat medicine as you can simply tuck a pill inside the soft treat without your cat knowing it’s there.

    Each of the flavors or “recipes” as they’re called, comes in a convenient tube to prevent messes and spills. While it’s great that this grain-free cat treat comes in multiple flavors, that could be a problem if your cat will only eat one or two flavors. Compared to some of the other treats on our list, this treat is affordable as you get 50 or more servings in a convenient plastic container.

    Pros
    • Many flavor options included
    • No preservatives or fillers
    • Easy to chew and digest
    • Treats come in a resealable plastic container
    Cons
    • Could be costly and wasteful if your cat only likes one flavor

    5. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken & Turkey Cat Treats

    Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken & Turkey Grain-Free Cat Treats

    Key ingredients: Deboned chicken, deboned turkey, potatoes
    Calories: 1.5 kcal per treat
    Flavor: Chicken and turkey

    If your cat loves the taste of meat over fish, he may love these Blue Buffalo cat treats that contain no grains. These treats are made with deboned chicken and turkey so your cat will get the lean protein he needs. With just 1.5 calories per treat, you don’t have to worry your cat will get fat from these kitty snacks. We don’t like the fact that these grain-free treats are preserved with phosphoric, sorbic, and citric acids and contain something called mixed tocopherols which is something we’re not familiar with.

    Wilderness Chicken & Turkey treats are enhanced with vitamins and minerals to boost the goodness of these snacks which are soft and easy for cats to chew. These cat treats are made in the USA and are one of the most affordable options on our list of grain-free cat treat reviews which is great if you’re on a budget. Cats enjoy the rich meaty flavor of these treats that come in a resealable pouch.

    Pros
    • Made with real deboned chicken and turkey
    • Cats love the meaty flavor
    • Low-cost treats
    • Low in calories
    Cons
    • Not all-natural
    • Contains preservatives

    6. Vital Essentials Minnows Freeze-Dried Cat Treats

    Vital Essentials Minnows Freeze-Dried Cat Treats

    Key ingredients: Minnows
    Calories: N/A
    Flavor: Fish

    This single-ingredient grain-free cat treat is made of fresh-caught, freeze-dried minnows. With no added fillers, flavorings, or rendered by-products, you’ll know exactly what you’re giving your cat when you feed him a few Vital Essential Minnows Freeze-Dried Cat Treats. Most cats won’t snub their noses at a couple of these treats that are grain-free and gluten-free, which makes them ideal for cats with sensitivities. On the company website, it’s recommended to use all these treats within 30 days after opening the package, otherwise, the fish may dry out.

    This could be a problem if you have a single cat and only give your cat a treat every couple of days. Otherwise, it shouldn’t be a problem as most cats gobble up these little fish with vigor! Compared to the other grain-free cat treats in our reviews, this option by Vital Essentials is an affordable, high-quality treat your cat will likely love.

    Pros
    • Protein-rich
    • Cats love the fishy aroma and smell
    • Good for cats with sensitivities
    • No added fillers, flavors, or rendered by-products
    Cons
    • Treats dry out quickly
    • Not an option for cats that don’t like fish

    7. Wellness Kittles Grain Free Cat Treats

    Wellness Kittles Grain-Free Chicken & Cranberries Recipe Crunchy Cat Treats

    Key ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, potatoes
    Calories: 1.1 kcal per treat
    Flavor: Chicken with a hint of fish

    Wellness Kittles are natural treats made with a good balance of protein, fats, and carbs. These crunchy treats are free from grains and fillers. If your cat loves the flavor of chicken and can easily chew a crunchy cat treat, these may be just what you’re looking for. These treats are rich in Vitamin C as they contain cranberries and blueberries. These grain-free cat treats are small and very thin which makes them perfect for training and a good option for kittens.

    However, some cats swallow these little treats whole without chewing them at all, which doesn’t help with plaque control when it comes to taking care of a cat’s teeth. As far as cost goes, Wellness Kittles treats are affordable as you get many treats in each 2-ounce resealable pouch. Compared to the other products on our list of grain-free cat treat reviews, these are right on par when it comes to good nutrition. These crunchy little treats don’t contain any meat by-products, artificial colors, flavorings, or preservatives.

    The main reason why we didn’t rate these treats higher is that they seem to be a hit-or-miss concerning flavor. In other words, you can expect your cat to either love these treats or hate them, as there doesn’t seem to be any middle ground.

    Pros
    • No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
    • Comes in a resealable pouch
    • High in vitamin C
    Cons
    • Some cats swallow these treats whole
    • Not all cats enjoy the flavor of these treats

    8. Instinct Raw Boost Chicken Freeze-Dried Cat Food Topper

    Instinct Raw Boost Mixers Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Cat Food Topper

    Key ingredients: Chicken, chicken liver, pumpkin seeds, chicken heart
    Calories: 16 kcals per tablespoon
    Flavor: Chicken

    If you’ve got a finicky cat that doesn’t accept single cat treats by hand, this grain-free cat food topper may be perfect. As the name suggests, you simply add a tablespoon (or more) of Instinct Raw Boost Mixers to your cat’s regular cat food. These freeze-dried cat treats are flavored with chicken, and they’re made with protein-rich, cage-free chicken, chicken liver, and non-GMO fruits and vegetables. Instinct Raw Boost Mixers Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Cat Food Topper supports proper digestion, a healthy coat and skin, and contains no meat by-products or artificial colorings or flavorings.

    While the idea of a food topper grain-free cat treat is great, not every fussy cat will be fooled when these treats are mixed into their kibble. As far as texture is concerned, these treats are on the tough side, making this product an inappropriate choice for a cat with chewing problems or a kitten.

    Pros
    • A good option for fussy eaters
    • No Meat by-products or artificial flavors or colors
    • Supports proper digestion and a healthy coat and skin
    Cons
    • Treats are tough which can make chewing difficult for some cats
    • Not all finicky cats will be fooled into eating the treats

    9. Tiki Cat Stix Tuna Grain-Free Cat Treats

    Tiki Cat Stix Tuna Grain-Free Cat Treats

    Key ingredients: Tuna broth, tuna, dried egg
    Calories: 9 kcal per serving
    Flavor: Tuna and chicken

    Tiki Cat Stix Tuna Grain-Free Cat Treats come in convenient packs of individually wrapped single servings that contain tuna broth for added moisture.  This mousse-like soft treat can be added to your cat’s dry kibble or squeezed out onto a dish for your cat to lick up. This is a cat treat that’s grain-free, pea-free, and high in protein. The treat’s silky texture can satisfy the most discerning cat and entice the pickiest eaters with natural aromas and flavors cats love. This soft cat treat is on the thin side and rather runny, making it impossible to feed your cat by hand or when he’s sitting on your lap.

    Price-wise, this is one of the most expensive grain-free cat treats in our reviews. While some cat owners find this product convenient, others think it is a hassle and a very messy treat that’s more trouble than it is worth.

    Pros
    • High in Protein
    • Cats enjoy the chicken and tuna flavor
    Cons
    • Thin and runny
    • Can be messy to serve
    • Expensive

    10. Ageless Paws 100% Bison Liver Freeze-Dried Cat Treats

    Ageless Paws 100% Bison Liver Healthy Freeze-Dried Treats for Dogs & Cats

    Key ingredients: Bison liver
    Calories: 112 kcals per serving
    Flavor: Meat

    With no grains, fillers, preservatives, added sugar, or salt, Ageless Paws Bison Liver Freeze-Dried treats are tasty meat-flavored morsels cats love. These treats are made with 100% raw bison liver that’s been freeze-dried to preserve freshness and flavor. If your cat can chew freeze-dried treats and loves the taste of meat, he’ll probably go nuts for these Ageless Paws treats.  These bite-sized treats are a bit on the hard side, which could make them difficult or even impossible for some cats to chew.

    These are not the cheapest treats in our reviews so they may not be a good choice for budget-conscious cat owners. However, cats seem to like the meaty flavor, and cat owners enjoy knowing they’re feeding their cats healthy treats that aren’t loaded with unnatural ingredients.

    Pros
    • Made with 100% bison liver
    • Cats like the meaty flavor
    • The treats come in a resealable pouch
    Cons
    • The treats are a bit on the hard side
    • Expensive

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    Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Grain-Free Cat Treats

    Cats with intolerances or skin problems can benefit from eating a grain-free diet because foods and treats containing grains like corn, wheat, and rice have been associated with allergies and other health issues.

    When looking for grain-free cat treats you should consider a few things including:
    • Price
    • Flavoring
    • Ingredients
    • Nutritional Value

    When it comes to choices in grain-free cat treats, you can find these treats in freeze-dried, liquid, soft, and hard forms. You can also find these treats in a variety of flavors and flavor combinations. Consider your budget, what flavors your cat prefers, and the type of treat he’s most likely to eat. After looking at your options and thinking about your cat’s preferences, you should be able to narrow down the many choices to find the ideal grain-free cat treat to give your feline friend.

    While most cats love treats, consider showing your love and appreciation in a different way by treating your feline companion to our Hepper NomNom Cat Bowl! Keeping our cats healthy and happy is key and this bowl was designed to do just that.

    Hepper 360 Cat Feeder, Stainless Steel, Anti-Chew...
    • NO MESS - The 360° tray on this cat food and water bowl set has a raised design to catch and...
    • WHISKER FRIENDLY - Shallow and wide metal containers with flat bottoms ensure your kitty can enjoy...

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    Final Thoughts

    We hope you find our grain-free cat treats reviews helpful! If you still can not decide what treat to get for your cat, we can wholeheartedly recommend Orijen Six Fish Freeze-Dried Cat Treats and PureBites Chicken Breast Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Treats without hesitation.

    Both of these products are flavorful, low in calories, completely grain-free, and packed with all the nutrients and protein cats need to live happy and healthy lives.


    Featured Photo Credit: Skrypnykov Dmytro, Shutterstock

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