How to Find Your Cat’s Favorite Treats with a Simple Treat Trial
- felidaebehavior
- Sep 11
- 5 min read
If you've ever stood in the pet store aisle staring at dozens of different cat treats, wondering which ones your feline friend will actually enjoy, you're not alone. As a cat behaviorist, one of the most common frustrations I hear from clients is: "My cat isn't motivated by food." Your
cat is alive and eats, so obviously they can be motivated by food. We just need to find out what that food is.
The solution? A treat trial. This simple but effective method takes the guesswork out of finding your cat's preferred rewards, whether you're working on training, enrichment, or simply want to spoil your furry companion. Best of all, it's something you can do at home in just a few minutes.
Why Treat Trials Matter for Cat Behavior
Understanding your cat's treat preferences isn't just about indulgence—it's a valuable tool
for behavior modification, training, and building your bond. When you know what truly motivates your cat, you can use those high-value rewards for:
Training sessions: Teaching new behaviors or reinforcing good ones
Medication administration: Making pill time less stressful
Enrichment activities: Adding excitement to puzzle feeders and interactive toys
Positive associations: Helping your cat feel good about carriers, grooming, or vet visits
Stress reduction: Providing comfort during changes or challenging situations
The reality is that cats are individuals with unique preferences. What one cat finds irresistible might leave another completely uninterested. A treat trial helps you discover your specific cat's favorites without wasting money on products they'll ignore.
How to Run a Successful Treat Trial
Running a treat trial is straightforward, but timing and setup are key to getting accurate results. Here's my step-by-step process that I walk clients through:
Step 1: Choose the Right Time
Conduct your treat trial when your cat is hungry but not desperately so. The ideal time is about 30 minutes before their regular meal time. A hungry cat will be more motivated to try new options, while a completely satiated cat might show little interest in any treats.
Step 2: Select Your Treat Options
Choose 4-5 different options to test. Here's where many people get it wrong—you don't have to limit yourself to commercial cat treats! Consider these categories:
Commercial Cat Treats:
Freeze-dried meat or fish
Soft training treats
Crunchy treats in different flavors
Cat-Safe Human Foods:
Small pieces of cooked chicken (no seasoning)
Tiny amounts of plain cooked fish
A small piece of cheese (if your cat tolerates dairy)
Plain cooked egg
Their Regular Food:
A few pieces of their dry kibble
A small spoonful of their wet food
Their food served in a special way (warmed, mashed, etc.)
The key is variety. Include different textures, flavors, and protein sources to get a true picture of your cat's preferences.
Step 3: Set Up the Trial
Place a small amount of each treat option on a plate or piece of paper. Make sure the portions are roughly equal—about an 1/8 teaspoon of each option works well. Space them out so your cat can clearly distinguish between choices.
Present the plate to your cat in a quiet area where they feel comfortable and won't be distracted by other pets or household activity.
Step 4: Observe and Record
Watch your cat's response carefully. Which treat do they approach first? Which one do they eat most enthusiastically? Some cats will sample everything, while others will make a beeline for their favorite and ignore the rest.
The treat they choose first is typically your winner, but also pay attention to:
Which treats they finish completely
Which ones they return to after trying others
Their body language and enthusiasm level with each option
Pro Tips for Better Results
Keep Notes: Write down the results so you remember what worked. I recommend keeping a simple list of your cat's preferences ranked from most to least favorite.
Test Multiple Winners: Don't rely on just one super-high-value treat. Having 2-3 favorites ensures you won't run into problems if your cat gets bored with their top choice or if a product becomes unavailable.
Retest Periodically: Cat preferences can change over time due to age, health changes, or simply developing new tastes. I recommend running a new treat trial every 6 months or if you notice your cat losing interest in their usual favorites.
Consider Texture Preferences: Some cats strongly prefer crunchy textures while others favor soft, moist treats. Pay attention to these patterns—they'll help you choose new treats in the future.
Start Small: When introducing any new treat, especially human food, start with tiny amounts to ensure your cat tolerates it well.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don't test when your cat is too full or too hungry: Extreme hunger or satiation can skew results and doesn't reflect how your cat will respond to treats during normal training or enrichment sessions.
Avoid overwhelming choices: More than 5-6 options can be confusing and may lead to decision paralysis in some cats.
Don't assume expensive means better: I've seen cats choose plain cooked chicken over gourmet freeze-dried treats costing $20 a bag. Let your cat be the judge.
Remember food safety: Always verify that any human food you're testing is safe for cats. When in doubt, stick to commercial cat treats or consult your veterinarian.
When Treat Trials Don't Work
If your cat shows little interest in any of the options, consider these factors:
Timing: Try again when they're hungrier or at a different time of day
Environment: Some cats are too distracted or stressed to focus on treats in certain locations
Health: Sudden loss of interest in food or treats warrants a veterinary check-up
Individual variation: Some cats are simply less food-motivated than others
For cats who aren't food-motivated, you might need to explore other types of rewards like play, petting, or environmental enrichment. However, if a cat doesn't seem to be food motivated, we need to look at WHY. Do they have food out all the time? Maybe switching to scheduled meals will encourage them to try other foods.
Putting Your Results to Work
Once you've identified your cat's favorites, you can use this information strategically. Save the highest-value treats for the most challenging training sessions or stressful situations. Use medium-value options for daily enrichment, and keep lower-value treats for casual interactions.
Remember, the goal isn't just to find treats your cat likes—it's to understand what truly motivates them so you can enhance their quality of life and strengthen your relationship.
Need More Ideas?
If you're struggling to come up with treat options for your trial or want suggestions for specific dietary needs, I'm here to help. Every cat is unique, and sometimes finding the right motivation takes a little creativity and professional guidance. Here is a downloadable PDF of ideas to get you started.
Running a treat trial is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to better understand your cat's preferences and set yourself up for success in training, enrichment, and daily care. Give it a try—you might be surprised by what you discover about your feline friend's tastes!
Have questions about your cat's behavior or need help with training? Contact me for a consultation. I work with cat families to solve behavior challenges and strengthen the human-cat bond through science-based, positive methods.
