Crunchy and Soft Cat Treats: Best Picks 2025 in USA

Our feline friends crave variety, and the texture of their treats can make mealtime extra enticing. Crunchy and soft cat treats offer the best of both worlds – a satisfying crunch plus a tender inside – making them a popular choice for pet owners in the USA, Canada, Mexico, and Europe. This guide covers everything from ingredients to expert picks, helping you find best crunchy and soft cat treats that are healthy, vet-approved, and perfect for your indoor kitty crunchy and soft cat treats.

Crunchy treats often help clean teeth while satisfying a cat’s instinct to chew, whereas soft treats (like purees or chewable morsels) can boost hydration and flavor. For example, Temptations MixUps® snacks combine “a crunchy outside and soft, creamy inside,” offering flavors like chicken, tuna, and catnip. Similarly, Churu lickable treats (squeezable purees) are beloved for bonding and hydration. We also highlight vet-recommended options such as Greenies® dental treats and Purina® DentaLife®, which carry VOHC seals for oral health. Read on for detailed reviews, ingredient tips, and FAQs to help you choose the purr-fect crunchy and soft treats for your cat.

Why Crunchy vs. Soft Cat Treats Matter

Both crunchy and soft textures play unique roles in your cat’s diet and enjoyment. Crunchy biscuits (kibble-like treats) can help scrape away plaque and keep your cat’s teeth cleaner. In fact, certain dental treats use a specially porous, crunchy texture to surround teeth and reduce tartar buildup. On the other hand, soft or “lickable” treats – purees and jerky – are excellent for hydration and bonding. For instance, Inaba’s Churu wet tubes let you feed your cat directly from the pack, which can build trust and add moisture to their diet crunchy and soft cat treats.

• Crunchy Benefits: Cleans teeth, high in fiber or raw protein (freeze-dried), and often lower-calorie per bite. VOHC-approved treats like Greenies Feline Dental have “crunchy texture [that] slow or reduce tartar”
• Soft Benefits: Easier to chew for kittens or seniors, high moisture content, and often packed with real meat or fish. Soft treats like Churu add extra hydration and are available in many flavors crunchy and soft cat treats.

The best approach is a balanced mix: use crunchy bites for dental health and training, and soft treats for variety or special rewards. Below we review top picks in each category, including temptations cat treats, vet recommended cat treats, and specialized indoor formulations crunchy and soft cat treats.

Types of Cat Treats

Familiarizing yourself with treat types can guide your choice. Common textures include:

• Crunchy: Kibble-like snacks (e.g. dry biscuits or freeze-dried morsels) that cats love to crunch. They’re budget-friendly and can promote chewing.
• Lickable (Soft): Puree treats in tubes or cups (often called “meat gogurts”). Examples: Inaba Churu tubes. Great for bonding or picky eaters.
• Meat Sticks: Jerky-style sticks (similar to Slim Jims for cats). Usually real meat, can be high in protein.
• Freeze-Dried Raw: Whole pieces of meat (liver, heart, or fish) freeze-dried to preserve nutrients. These are 100% natural, protein-rich treats (e.g. PureBites).
• Functional Treats: Designed with an extra benefit (dental cleaning, digestive fiber, calming ingredients, or pill pockets). For example, Greenies dental chews or calming chews with L-theanine.

By mixing these types, you can keep your cat engaged and healthy. Always read labels and serve treats in moderation (no more than 10% of daily calories) crunchy and soft cat treats

Vet-Recommended Crunchy Cat Treats

Many veterinarians recommend certain crunchy treats for dental health and nutrition. These treats often carry the VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council) seal, indicating they reduce plaque or tartar. Notable examples include:

• Greenies® Feline Dental Treats: A popular crunchy dental treat. Spruce Pets notes, “Greenies Feline Dental Treats are crunchy treats proven by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) to slow or reduce tartar, and can freshen breath by cleaning your cat’s teeth with their crunchy texture.”. These treats come in tuna, chicken, salmon, and catnip flavors. While very effective, an average cat needs many treats (up to 16/day) to get full dental benefit.
• Whiskas® Dentabites: Another VOHC-approved dental chew (especially common in Europe). These chicken and salmon flavored treats are designed to penetrate teeth crevices, helping to control tartar. They were awarded the VOHC Tartar claim in 2017. If you live in Canada, Mexico, or Europe, look for Whiskas Dentabites under Purina’s brands crunchy and soft cat treats
• Purina® DentaLife: A crunchy cat treat engineered for dental care. Purina’s site highlights that DentaLife’s “porous texture helps reduce tartar buildup” and even shows a VOHC seal. These are low-calorie, tooth-penetrating bites (available in chicken or salmon flavor) that many cats find palatable.

• Greenies® Smartbites Indoor: A newer indoor-care treat by Greenies. According to the manufacturer, these have a “mix of crunchy and creamy textures” and use a special FiberBlend formula to support digestion and hairball control. They are only ~1.3 kcal per piece (at 3746 kcal/kg, ~1.3 kcal each) helping indoor cats maintain weight. They come in chicken flavor and are veterinarian-formulated.
• Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Crunchy Bites: These are prescription treats (available through vets) for cats with food sensitivities. They are crunchy with a hydrolyzed protein formula, helping prevent allergies. They also carry a VOHC plaque & tartar claim (2019) crunchy and soft cat treats

Key Takeaway: Veterinary-recommended crunchy treats often focus on oral health or specific diets. Look for VOHC-approved seals or dentist endorsements. For dental health, Greenies and DentaLife are top picks.

Soft and Lickable Cat Treats (Wet & Puree)

Soft-textured treats add variety and hydration. These can be especially good for cats who like to lap or lick their snacks. Standouts include:

• Inaba Churu Lickable Treats: Often called “puree cat snacks,” Churu tubes contain savory purees (chicken, tuna, salmon, etc.). Spruce Pets praises them: “I’ve personally never met a cat that has turned their nose up to any flavor of Churu.” They bond cats to owners (fed by hand) and add moisture to the diet. Churu come in many grain-free flavors (from basic chicken/tuna to combos like chicken & scallop) and variety packs. Each 2g lickable tube is about 6 kcal making them ultra-low-calorie treats for training or bonding. After opening, unused Churu should be refrigerated to stay fresh.
• Lickable Tubes (Other Brands): Similar to Churu, other brands offer sachets or tubes of cat puree (for example, Sheba Lil’ Sips or Lick-e-Lix). These are essentially made of meat juice and gel; offer the same lickable experience. No specific citation, but common knowledge: they provide hydration and are “kitty popsicles” of flavor.
• Soft Meaty Treats: Brands like Blue Buffalo, Wellness, or Temptations Indoor Soft Morsels make soft, meaty bites (often grain-free) that cats can chew easily. These may not have crunchy exteriors, but are soft semi-moist kibbles or tender jerky. They are good for older cats or cats that prefer chewy textures. Always check the texture: some soft treats can be sticky or high in sugar, so read labels.
• Freeze-Dried Protein Treats: Technically crunchy, but 100% meat. For example, PureBites Freeze-Dried Chicken (this is crunchy to bite but made of 1 ingredient). These are high-protein, grain-free, and have no additives. They smell strong (to attract cats) and make good training rewards. We mention these because they blur lines: freeze-dried raw treats start crunchy but become soft in the mouth.

Tip: You can even mix textures by crumbling a crunchy biscuit onto a wet treat, or stuffing a dry treat into a lickable tube for enrichment. But always supervise: some cats gobble treats quickly.

Crunchy and Soft Treats for Indoor Cats

Indoor cats generally need fewer calories (since they exercise less) and often produce more hairballs. Many treat makers address this:

• Temptations Indoor Care Crunchy & Soft: These treats (chicken flavor) are marketed for indoor cats. PetCareRx notes they are “specially formulated for hairball control,” with <2 calories each, and a “combination of both crunchy and soft textures.”. They often contain added fiber (from cellulose or beet pulp) to help move hairballs, and come in a cat-proof resealable pouch. If your cat faces hairballs or weight gain, low-cal indoor treats like this can help crunchy and soft cat treats
• Greenies Smartbites Healthy Indoor: As mentioned above, Greenies makes an Indoor-specific treat with extra fiber. The official site states: “Created with GREENIES FIBERBLEND Formula, these treats help support healthy digestion… at less than 2 calories per treat help your cat maintain a healthy weight.” They mix crunchy and creamy textures. These are vet-developed for hairball and weight management.
• Blue Buffalo Indoor: Blue Buffalo’s indoor cat treats (e.g. Crunchy Savory Salmon Kitten Treats) often have higher fiber or lower fat. They’re not specifically “soft,” but they emphasize controlled calories and indoor-suitable nutrient levels.
• Friskies Indoor Delights: Some generic brands (like Friskies Party Mix Indoor) make indoor formulas. However, these often have grains and artificial ingredients. Use vet-approved or well-reviewed indoor treats first crunchy and soft cat treats

For indoor cats, look for “Indoor” on the package and check calories (<2 kcal per piece is ideal). Indoor treat lines usually add fiber and pack fewer calories to prevent obesity – important since 61% of cats in U.S. households are overweight or obese. Always stick to feeding guidelines: for example, Greenies Indoor suggests ~18 treats per 10 lbs per day (spread throughout) to maintain weight.

Ingredients & Choosing the Best Treats

When picking treats, quality ingredients and nutritional balance are key. Here are factors to watch, with tips from pet nutrition experts:

• Check the Label: As one vet source advises, “treat the ingredients in your cat’s treats just as you would their regular food.” Look for real meat as the first ingredient. Avoid treats with too many fillers. Spruce Pets warns about “overuse of sub-par ingredients like fillers…grains, flours, meals, and starches,” which can upset sensitive cats. Natural ingredients (chicken, fish, organ meats) are best. Treats shouldn’t have more water than meat if possible.
• Calories and Portion: Determine how many treats fit your cat’s calorie budget. Most treats list calories or weight-based serving sizes. Many treats are just 1–2 kcal each. Remember treats should be ≤10% of daily calories. For an average 10-lb cat (200 kcal/day diet), that’s only ~20 calories from treats (e.g., 10 treats at 2 kcal each). Portion control is crucial for indoor cats to prevent weight gain.
• Purpose & Health: Decide what you want from the treat. Dental treats (Greenies, DentaLife) often have specific shapes/textures. Calming treats or pill pockets serve a function beyond nutrition. Look for scientifically-backed claims (VOHC dental seal, AAFCO statement, etc.). If your cat has allergies or health issues, choose sensitive formulas (hypoallergenic treats, limited-ingredient treats, etc.).
• Cat Preferences: Some cats simply prefer certain textures. If your cat is a picky eater, try different types: some cats love crunchy kibbles, others go crazy for lickables. Rotate flavors (poultry, seafood, beef) to find favorites. Watching how your cat reacts to a treat is a good guide: an irresistibly tasty treat will have your cat purring and begging crunchy and soft cat treats

🔹 Quick Tips: Always introduce new treats slowly, one type at a time. Store treats per instructions (some crunchy treats go stale, soft treats may need refrigeration after opening). Check expiration dates. And remember, treats are supplements – a balanced diet is still your cat’s main nutrition.

Engaging Your Cat with Treats

Treats can do more than snack – they’re powerful for training and bonding. Use some engaging strategies:

• Treat Toys & Puzzles: Place crunchy treats in a dispenser or puzzle toy to stimulate your cat mentally and physically. Temptations MixUps even mentions using treats in toys. This slows down consumption and provides exercise, which is especially good for indoor cats.
• Training: Use tiny crunchy treats as training rewards (e.g., teaching tricks, litter box success). The low-calorie crunchy treats (Temptations, PureBites) work well for multiple repetitions. Remember to praise and use treats sparingly crunchy and soft cat treats
• Bonding: Offer lickable treats by hand to shy or new cats to build trust. Churu or soft treats are ideal for hand-feeding. Many rescue and vet professionals use Churu during socialization because of its high appeal crunchy and soft cat treats
• Sharing Experiences: Discuss with fellow cat owners or vets. For example, the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention found that pet obesity is rising, so discuss portion control. Sharing tips on social media or in comments (e.g., your cat’s favorite flavor or trick training success) increases engagement and helps others choose treats.

Popular Brands Spotlight

Several brands lead the market in crunchy and soft cat treats:

• Temptations™ (Mars Petcare): Best known for crunchy treats with a soft center. The MixUps line combines multiple flavors and textures. Temptations also has indoor-care and pill-pocket variants. Their treats are under 2 kcal each and come in large tubs or value pouches crunchy and soft cat treats
• Greenies® (Mars Petcare): Creator of VOHC-approved dental chews. In addition to dental treats, Greenies offers Smartbites lines with functional formulas (skin & fur, weight, indoor). Greenies treats are crunchy and shaped to clean teeth.
• Churu (Inaba): Japanese-origin brand of lickable puree treats. These are sold in multi-packs and remain hugely popular worldwide. Cats love the creamy texture, and owners praise Churu for ease of use (no bowls needed).
• Purina (Nestlé): Offers DentaLife dental chews (see above), Friskies Party Mix (value crunchy treats), and other lines. They also market Purina Beyond and Purina One crunchy treats with natural ingredients. Friskies Puff-ups or Party Mix are cheap crunchy treats (not vet-formulated, but widely available).
• Blue Buffalo: Known for natural ingredients, Blue Buffalo’s line includes Baby Blue Crunchies (soft-baked) and Wilderness Crunch (freeze-dried). They also make Indoor formula treats crunchy and soft cat treats
• Wellness: Offers soft, natural treats (like Wellness Kittles) and crunchy dry treats (Wellness Core Crunch). Often grain-free with added vitamins.
• PureBites: A popular freeze-dried raw treat brand (e.g. Chicken Breast, Salmon). Each treat is pure meat with ~2 calories, excellent for training or allergy diets.
• Others: Snowflake (Spray-cat in Australia), Whiskas Dentabites (UK/EU dental treat), I and Love and You, Healthy Crunch by Chewy’s brand, etc. Many supermarkets have store brands too, but always check quality.

In Europe and Mexico, many of these US brands are also available (sometimes under different labels). For example, Vet IQ by Chewy is popular in USA but not in Europe; conversely, Dreamies by Mars is a crunchy treat sold in Europe (similar to Temptations). Always choose brands with transparent ingredients and (preferably) health claims supported by data.

FAQs about Cat Treats

Q: Are Temptations cat treats safe for indoor cats?
A: Yes, Temptations offers an Indoor Care Crunchy & Soft formula specifically for indoor kitties. These treats are low in calories (<2 kcal each) and include fiber for hairball control. However, use them in moderation (follow feeding guidelines) and complement with a balanced diet crunchy and soft cat treats

Q: What makes Churu cat treats special?
A: Churu treats are lickable puree snacks (in squeezable tubes). They are grain-free, high in protein, and add moisture to your cat’s diet. Cats find them irresistible, making them great for bonding or getting shy cats to eat. A major perk is they can be fed by hand or mixed with food for picky eaters.

Q: How many treats should I give my cat each day?
A: Treats should be <10% of your cat’s daily calories. For a typical 10-lb cat (200 kcal/day), that means about 20 calories from treats – roughly 10 crunchy treats at 2 kcal each. Always check the treat label for calories or serving size. Adjust your cat’s regular meal portion to account for treat calories to maintain a healthy weight crunchy and soft cat treats

Q: Which ingredients should I avoid in cat treats?
A: Avoid treats with excessive fillers, artificial flavors, or sweeteners. According to pet experts, steer clear of too many “sub-par ingredients like fillers (grains, flours, starches)”. Instead, look for treats with real meat, fish, or organ ingredients at the top of the list. Also avoid ingredients your cat is allergic to (e.g., common poultry, fish, or grain allergens). Always read the ingredients list carefully.

Q: Can I give my cat human food as treats?
A: It’s best to stick to cat-formulated treats. Many human foods (chocolate, onions, grapes, etc.) are toxic to cats. Even plain foods like chicken or tuna fish can be given sparingly, but ensure they are cooked and unseasoned. Commercial cat treats are balanced for feline needs. If you want natural options, some freeze-dried meat treats or plain freeze-dried pumpkin are safer alternatives crunchy and soft cat treats

Q: Are there treats for cats with special needs (sensitive stomach, elderly)?
A: Yes. Look for specialty or sensitive treats. For example, there are grain-free or limited-ingredient treats for food allergies, hairball control treats for long-haired cats, and high-fiber treats for digestion. Senior cat treats often have softer texture and joint-support supplements. Some veterinary diets include treats (e.g., Royal Canin’s sensitive formulas), which should be used under guidance crunchy and soft cat treats

Q: How can I make homemade crunchy cat treats?
A: Homemade recipes often use tuna or chicken and oat flour. For example, a simple crunchy treat can be made by mixing canned tuna with oat flour, shaping into chips, and baking until crisp. However, homemade treats may lack balanced nutrition, so use sparingly and consult your vet. Always ensure no harmful ingredients (garlic, onion, etc.) are used.

Conclusion

Finding the best crunchy and soft cat treats means balancing your cat’s taste, health, and lifestyle. Trusted picks like Temptations’ crunchy-soft snacks and Inaba’s Churu satisfy both your cat’s cravings and your quality standards. Vet-approved treats like Greenies and DentaLife keep teeth healthy while indoor-specific formulas help manage weight and hairballs. Remember to read labels closely, serve treats in moderation, and choose textures that match your cat’s preference crunchy and soft cat treats

We hope this guide helps you make informed choices. Which crunchy or soft cat treat does your kitty love most? Share your experiences or questions in the comments below! If this article helped you, consider sharing it on social media to help other pet parents discover the perfect treats. 🐾 Happy snacking with your feline friend crunchy and soft cat treats

Sources: Authoritative pet health and nutrition resources have been used throughout (see citations) to ensure accurate, up-to-date information