Your cat has standards. Mostly they involve meat. Here's what's going on behind the stare.
What treats do cats actually go crazy for?
Cats go crazy for treats that taste and smell like meat, in a texture they can lick or bite. Cats can't taste sugar, but their taste receptors respond strongly to the savory umami compounds found in meat and fish. Meaty treats like BONKERS Purrpops (freeze-dried chicken) and BONKERS Licky Tubes (creamy chicken puree) hit exactly that.
The short version: cats are not snacking for fun. They are snacking for meat. Anything else is a waste of their time, and they will let you know.
Why do cats go crazy for meat and fish?
Cats go crazy for meat and fish because their umami taste receptor is tuned to them. A 2023 study in Chemical Senses found the cat umami receptor responds to nucleotides such as IMP, and that amino acids like histidine boost the effect. Tuna is rich in both, which may explain the obsession.
So when your cat sprints in from three rooms away at the sound of a can, that's not drama. That's biology. (It's also drama.)
Can cats taste sweet treats?
No. Cats can't taste sweetness. Researchers at the Monell Chemical Senses Center found that the gene for T1R2, one half of the sweet taste receptor, doesn't work in cats, so the receptor never forms. Sugary treats do nothing for them. Savory, meaty flavor is what gets a reaction.
Your birthday cake is safe. Your rotisserie chicken is not.
Which treat textures do cats go crazy for?
Some cats are lickers, some are biters, and many want both. BONKERS Licky Tubes suit cats who like to lap, BONKERS Purrpops give a freeze-dried crunch and chew, and BONKERS Cat Bites are crunchy outside with a gooey center. If your cat ignores one texture, try another before giving up.
- BONKERS Purrpops Chicky Licks: Texture: Freeze-dried, crunchy and chewy, on a stick; First ingredient: Chicken; Calories (per BONKERS label): 4.4 kcal per stick; Pack: 3 lollipops; Best for: Biters, hand-feeding, training rewards
- BONKERS Licky Tubes Tender Chicken: Texture: Creamy, lickable puree in a tube; First ingredient: Water, then chicken; Calories (per BONKERS label): 6.24 kcal per tube; Pack: 4 tubes; Best for: Lickers, slow treating, sharing the moment
- BONKERS Cat Bites Paw Lickin' Chicken: Texture: Crunchy outside, gooey center; First ingredient: Poultry meal; Calories (per BONKERS label): 1.6 kcal per treat; Pack: 3 oz resealable bag; Best for: Biters, frequent small rewards, treat toys
BONKERS Purrpops Chicky Licks
Freeze-dried chicken. On a stick. Served by you. Your cat does not need to know how freeze-drying works. Your cat needs it now.
- 100% freeze-dried, chicken is the first ingredient (per BONKERS)
- Lollipop format: you hold the stick, your cat does the rest
- Crunchy, chewy, bitey, gone
BONKERS Licky Tubes Tender Chicken
Squeeze. Lick. Repeat until the tube is flat and your cat is looking at you like you've been holding out.
- Creamy, lickable puree made with real chicken (per BONKERS)
- Handheld tube, so you can treat by hand
- Four tubes per pack
BONKERS Cat Bites Paw Lickin' Chicken
Crunch first. Then the gooey middle. Then a cat staring at the bag like it owes them money.
- Crunchy on the outside, gooey on the inside (per BONKERS)
- 1.6 kcal per treat on the BONKERS label, so one bite at a time adds up slowly
- Small enough for treat-dispensing toys
- Resealable bag, for the three seconds between treats
What treats tempt picky cats?
To tempt a picky cat, switch the texture, keep the flavor meaty and feed by hand. Offer a small amount and let your cat sniff first. If your cat ignores crunchy treats, try a lickable one, or the other way round. If your cat suddenly stops eating, talk to your vet.
A few more things worth trying:
- Lead with meat. Chicken and fish flavors are where cat taste buds are pointed.
- Hand-feed. A treat offered from your hand gets more attention than one dropped on the floor.
- Go small. One stick or a few licks is plenty. Leave them wanting more. They will.
- Don't bother with sweet. Cats can't taste it.
How many treats can I give my cat?
Treats should make up less than 10% of your cat's daily calories, according to the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA). Check calories per treat on the pack. BONKERS lists 4.4 kcal per Purrpops Chicky Licks stick, 6.24 kcal per Licky Tubes tube and 1.6 kcal per Cat Bites treat. Ask your vet for your cat's daily target.
Your cat will tell you the correct number is "more". Your cat is not a vet.
Frequently asked questions
Why do cats love tuna so much?
Tuna is high in IMP, a nucleotide the cat umami receptor responds to, and in free histidine, an amino acid that boosts that response, according to a 2023 study in Chemical Senses. Together they make a strong savory signal, which may be why cats lose their minds over it.
Do cats like sweet treats?
No. Cats lack a working sweet taste receptor because of a defect in the T1R2 gene, according to research from the Monell Chemical Senses Center published in PLoS Genetics. Sweet flavors don't register for them.
What's the difference between BONKERS Purrpops, Licky Tubes and Cat Bites?
BONKERS Purrpops are freeze-dried treats on a stick with a crunchy, chewy bite. BONKERS Licky Tubes are creamy, lickable puree in a squeezable tube. BONKERS Cat Bites are small crunchy treats with a gooey center, easy to hand out one at a time or drop into a treat toy.
Can kittens have BONKERS Purrpops, Licky Tubes and Cat Bites?
BONKERS says all three are suitable for cats of all life stages. As with any treat, keep portions small and within your cat's daily calorie allowance.
Where can I buy BONKERS cat treats?
Find your nearest stockist on the BONKERS where to buy page.
Better when it's BONKERS.
