April 25, 2023
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
Stuck in a cat treat rut? Crunchy treats certainly have their place, but the pet world has made way for some unique creamy treats that bring variety and nutrition to the table. Not only do lickable cat treats offer a novel way to indulge your pet’s tastebuds, but they also come with some notable health and behavioral benefits.
With eyes on ingredient quality, ease of serving, and my own two cats’ reactions, Catit Creamy Treats made my pick for the best lickable cat treats available.
At a Glance: The 7 Best Lickable Cat Treats To Buy
Want a quick look at the products reviewed in this article? In the comparison table below, we’ve highlighted some of the most important features of each product. You’ll find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Catit Creamy Salmon Flavor Lickable Treat
- Grain-free
- No by-products
- Affordable option
Inaba Churu Chicken with Crab Puree
- Taurine & Vitamin E added
- Made without grains, preservatives, or artificial colors
- High protein and moisture levels
Hartz Delectables Squeeze Up Variety Pack
- Economical
- Features real chicken and tuna
- Nice consistency for hand-serving
Nulo Freestyle Perfect Puree Variety Pack
- Thinner consistency makes them ideal meal toppers
- High protein and moisture content
Fussie Cat Chicken with Duck Puree
- Includes taurine and Vitamin E supplement
- Many flavor options are available
Cafe Nära Tuna Flavored Lickable Treats for Cats
- Contains wild-caught salmon
- No artificial preservatives or colors
- Free of wheat, corn, and soy
Tiki Cat Stix Chicken & Shrimp in Creamy Gravy
- High in moisture and protein
- Cats seem to love the taste
Why Trust Cats.com
At Cats.com, we’ve reviewed over 200 of the world’s most popular cat food brands and hundreds of formulas. Along with honest feedback from our own feline testers, we’ve also spent hours researching feline nutrition, contacting pet food companies, and analyzing product labels.
Based on in-depth research and hands-on experience, I’ve chosen the seven products below as the best lickable cat treats on the market. I examined each product on several fronts, looking at protein and moisture levels, species-appropriateness, texture, and palatability.
Keep in mind, however, that your experience with these treats may differ from my own. It’s helpful to review this roundup through the lens of your pet’s individual preferences, as every cat will have different tastes and nutritional needs. Taking these variables into consideration, I selected treats with a range of flavors, textures, and ingredients to appeal to all kinds of felines.
After purchasing several lickable treats and trying them with my two cats, Amber and Floyd, I chose seven top products that lived up to the Cats.com Standard. I prioritized quality ingredients as well as taste (a treat, no matter how healthy, only has value if your cat will actually eat it).
While each brand will have its own set of pros and cons, I opted for treats with high moisture and protein levels, shorter ingredient lists, and largely favorable reviews from real cat parents.
Our team did not receive these products in exchange for a favorable review—they were purchased with our own money.
Curious about how lickable treats could fit into your pet’s diet? Let’s look at the advantages of lickable cat treats, how to find a good one, and which cats will benefit most from them.
What Are Lickable Cat Treats?
A lineup of the various treats tested for this review. Liz Coleman / Cats.com
Dubbed by many as “Go-Gurt” for cats, lickables are creamy wet treats that come in individual squeeze-up tubes. A large part of their appeal lies in their versatility—lickable treats can be served as stand-alone treats or added to your cat’s meal as a savory topper. For bonding with your cat, these hand-held treats are hard to beat: just open a tube and feed your kitty directly from the package.
Lickable treats boast high moisture content, so they’re a tasty way to keep cats hydrated. In the summer months, they can be frozen for a refreshing meat-flavored “popsicle.” Their palatable taste and texture make lickable treats a good choice for camouflaging medicine or training your cat. Plus, they can help distract kitties during stressful circumstances, like vet visits or nail trimming.
What To Look For In A Good Lickable Cat Treat
Palatability and nutritional value are always top of mind when selecting cat treats. But for lickable treats, in particular, texture plays a major role.
You’ll find that consistency varies from brand to brand—some lickables are ultra-soupy or watery, and others are more akin to creamy peanut butter. The texture that works for you will depend on how you plan to serve these treats. For treats served right out of the package, thicker purees are best. As toppers, or served in a dish, creamier textures will work just fine.
Which Cats Will Benefit Most From Lickable Cat Treats?
Testing out Tiki Cat Stix. Liz Coleman / Cats.com
Every cat parent’s mileage will vary, but we think the following cats will benefit most from lickable treats:
- Cats with dental issues who struggle with hard, crunchy treats
- Cats on a mostly dry diet who could use a hydration boost
- Sick or inappetent cats who need encouragement to eat
- Picky eaters (as toppers, lickable treats can make meals more appealing)
- Underweight cats who need a calorie boost
- Cats who spend a lot of time alone who could benefit from human interaction
#1 Best Overall: Catit Creamy Salmon Flavor Lickable Treat
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
- Brand Name: Catit
- Made In: Quebec, Canada
- Age Range: All life stages
- Calories per ounce/serving: 4.6 kcal/tube
- Approximate cost per tube: $.064
Heading our list of lickables are Catit Creamy Treats. These lickable treats distinguish themselves on a few key points. First, they contain a lot of moisture. They also include high-value ingredients like salmon oil, a rich source of omega fatty acids, and taurine, an amino acid essential for a healthy heart.
Taste-wise, both cats gave their hearty seal of approval—they couldn’t get enough of this stuff! Serving-wise, these lickables were the easiest to hand-feed. The formula had the thickest texture, which allowed it to retain a mostly solid shape as I pushed it up. This made for a much tidier eating experience.
If we had one complaint, it would have to be the lower protein content. But overall, Catit was a hit in our home.
Ingredients
Water Sufficient For Processing, Salmon, Modified Tapioca Starch, Natural Flavor, Salmon Oil, Taurine.
Ingredients We Liked: Salmon Oil, Taurine
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Tapioca Starch
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- Grain-free
- No by-products
- Affordable option
- Thicker consistency makes them ideal for hand-held serving
Cons
- Lower protein content
#2 Runner-Up: Inaba Churu Chicken with Crab Puree
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
- Brand Name: Inaba
- Made In: Thailand
- Age Range: Adult
- Calories per tube: 6.0 kcal
- Approximate cost per tube: $1.00
In terms of nutrition, Inaba Churu treats (click to read full brand review) have a lot going for them. They’re a low-calorie treat with zero carbs and high levels of moisture and protein. Plus, they have added Vitamin E (a valuable antioxidant) and taurine.
This treat was the perfect consistency for serving straight from the tube with minimal mess. Both of my cats loved the chicken with crab flavor, but if it’s not your cat’s thing, there are plenty of Churu flavors to choose from. At $1.00 per tube, it’s a pretty pricey treat—especially, if you’re feeding them to your cat every day. But for some, the benefits justify the steep cost.
Ingredients
Water, Chicken, Tapioca starch, Natural Flavors, Natural Crab Flavor, Guar Gum, Vitamin E Supplement, Taurine, Green Tea Extract.
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Taurine
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Guar Gum
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- Taurine & Vitamin E added
- Made without grains, preservatives, or artificial colors.
- High protein and moisture levels
Cons
- Expensive option
#3 Best Value: Hartz Delectables Squeeze Up Variety Pack
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
- Brand Name: Hartz
- Made In: Thailand
- Age Range: Adult cats
- Calories per tube: 7.4 kcal
- Approximate cost per tube: $.061
For multi-cat households or those watching their budget, Hartz Delectables offers an affordable option that’s on par with the more expensive choices on this list. These treats have a rich, thick texture that gives you better control over how fast (and how much) food is dispensed at a time.
Delectables are a hydrating treat with a lot of protein. Both cats loved the taste, and I loved how easy they were to serve by hand.
Ingredients
Chicken Recipe: Water, Tuna, Chicken, Tapioca Starch, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Guar Gum, Natural Tuna Flavor.
Tuna Recipe: Water, Tuna, Tapioca Starch, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Guar Gum, Natural Tuna Flavor.
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Tuna
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Guar Gum, Artificial Flavor
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- Economical
- Features real chicken and tuna
- Nice consistency for hand-serving
Cons
- “Natural flavors” is a vague ingredient
#4 Best For Freezing: Nulo Freestyle Perfect Puree Variety Pack
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
- Brand Name: Nulo
- Made In: Thailand
- Age Range: all ages
- Calories per tube: 7-9 kcal, depending on the flavor
- Approximate cost per tube: $1.00
Straight out of the package, Nulo Perfect Purees were on the watery side. This made them poor candidates for hand-feeding, so into the freezer they went. Compared with the other lickable treats we tested, Nulos held their shape brilliantly when frozen. They became a solid, pleasantly smooth treat that our cats lapped up eagerly.
On top of making excellent cat popsicles, these treats are great for adding moisture to your cat’s dinner, or they can be dished into a bowl for a special treat. Bonuses include added prebiotics and minimal fat content.
Ingredients
- Beef & Sardine: Beef Broth, Beef, Sardine, Chickpeas, Guar Gum, Tuna Extract, Inulin, Natural Flavor.
- Chicken: Chicken Broth, Chicken, Chickpeas, Guar Gum, Tuna Extract, Inulin, Natural Flavor.
- Tuna & Scallop: Tuna Broth, Tuna, Chickpeas, Scallop, Guar Gum, Tuna Extract, Inulin, Natural Flavor.
- Chicken & Salmon: Chicken Broth, Chicken, Chickpeas, Salmon, Guar Gum, Tuna Extract, Inulin, Natural Flavor.
- Tuna & Crab: Tuna Broth, Tuna, Chickpeas, Crab, Guar Gum, Tuna Extract, Inulin, Natural Flavor.
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Chicken Broth
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Guar Gum, Chickpeas
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- Thinner consistency makes them ideal meal toppers
- High protein and moisture content
Cons
- “Natural Flavor” is a vague ingredient
- Pricer option
#5 Best As A Topper: Fussie Cat Chicken with Duck Puree
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
- Brand Name: Fussie Cat
- Made In: Thailand
- Age Range: adult
- Calories per tube: 7.7 kcal
- Approximate cost per tube: $0.88
While Fussie Cat treats were well-received by both kitty testers, they also left a soupy (but adorable) mess behind on their noses and whiskers. Not the everyday look we’re going for. As a cat food topper, though, Fussie Cat is an excellent option.
These treats offer a lot of moisture, but they have slightly less protein than the other lickables.
Ingredients
Water, Chicken, Duck, Potato, Sunflower Oil, Natural Flavors, Xanthan Gum, Taurine, Vitamin E Supplement.
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Duck, Sunflower Oil
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Potato
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- Includes taurine and Vitamin E supplement
- Many flavor options are available
- Consistency makes them a great topper
Cons
- Lower protein levels
- Contain potato
#6 Best Human-Grade Treat: Cafe Nära Tuna Flavored Lickable Treats for Cats
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
- Brand Name: Cafe Nära
- Made In: Thailand
- Age Range: All life stages
- Calories per tube: 4.4 kcal
- Approximate cost per tube: $1.00
In Swedish, Nära means “nourish” or “nurture”—a fitting name for this family-owned company that prides itself on using human-grade ingredients. Cafe Nara Lickables are a healthy, low-calorie snack with lots of protein and moisture.
For cats with food allergies or sensitivities, Cafe Nara makes a smart choice. They’re wheat, corn, and soy free, and their recipes are made with limited ingredients.
Ingredients
Water, Tuna, Tapioca Starch, Yeast Extract, Sunflower Oil, Guar Gum.
Ingredients We Liked: Tuna, Sunflower Oil
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Guar Gum
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- Contains wild-caught salmon
- No artificial preservatives or colors
- Free of wheat, corn, and soy
- No added sugar or salt
Cons
- More expensive option
- Contain guar gum
#7 Best For Picky Eaters: Tiki Cat Stix Chicken & Shrimp in Creamy Gravy
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
- Brand Name: Tiki Cat
- Made In: Thailand
- Calories per tube: 8 kcal
- Approximate cost per tube: $0.92
Getting a fussy eater to finish her dinner can be a challenge. These creamy Stix by Tiki Cat may be able to help. Generally, my two cats will peacefully await their turn with treats. Not so with these Chicken & Shrimp lickable treats. Something about the flavor and taste of these treats made them an instant favorite in our home—and plenty of reviews on Amazon report blissful cats who love their Tiki Stix.
Their savory taste could make these lickables a good choice for cats who need encouragement to eat, whether they’ve lost their appetite due to age, illness, or stress. We also think they would be great for hiding medicine.
Ingredients
Chicken broth, chicken, dried egg, shrimp, natural tuna flavor, natural chicken flavor, xanthan gum, fish extract, salt.
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken Broth, Chicken, Dried Egg, Shrimp
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Salt
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
Pros
- High in moisture and protein
- Cats seem to love the taste
Cons
- Higher calorie content
- Contain xanthan gum
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do cats love lickable treats
Lickable treats, such as soft, creamy, or liquid-based treats, provide a unique sensory experience for cats. The texture and taste of these treats are often appealing to cats, as they have specialized taste receptors on their tongues that respond to soft textures.
Are lickable treats good for cats?
Lickable treats can be good for cats in moderation. soft succulent treats can be a source of hydration, especially for cats who don't drink much water on their own. They can also be a good source of nutrients, such as protein and taurine. However, it's important to choose lickable treats that are made with high-quality ingredients and that are low in calories and sugar.
Which of these cat wet treats would be then best for a CKD kitty?
Hi Mary, thank you for the question. Of these, the Hartz treats come closest, but I would choose the Delectables Senior Bisque 15+ Tuna & Chicken recipe, which is a bit lower in phosphorus. However, none of these are made forcats with kidney disease, so these I would just give them in sensible quantities and talk with your vet about your cat’s specific needs.
P.S. Apologies for the late reply.
Hi Mary and Mallory,
When I did a little research, I found out that the Hartz product you recommended “has approximately 0.129% phosphorus on an as fed basis and 1.29% on a dry matter basis” which might be helpful information.
In another article about foods for CKD kitties, Tiki Cat Stix is mentioned. While I couldn’t find phosphorus for all of the flavours, I did find out that the chicken flavour has a phosphorus content of “0.12% on an as fed basis and 0.86% on a dry matter basis”.
I also would not recommend Hartz products in general, given their reputation for recalls and for other products poisoning and killing pets (primarily flea treatment, but I still do not recommend trusting them to use care in their pet products).
Good luck!
Hi Elisabeth, thank you! I appreciate you doing some extra research and getting that information. I stand corrected—the Tiki Cat Stix are a better option.
I’m confused why higher moisture content is a plus. Wouldn’t that indicate that the product is just watered down?
Good question. I believe this may have been a mistake—we generally think of higher moisture content as a good thing, since it leads to a more hydrated cat, but in a product like this, it’s not necessarily a particularly good quality.