Low-calorie treats for senior cats

A 12-year-old Chartreux who's slowing down — that's a really common concern, and you're right to think about it. Cats are notoriously fussy about treats, and they tend to go for strongly-scented, meat-based options while rejecting anything sweet or grain-heavy. The best treats are high-protein and low in additives, but at this life stage, calorie density matters just as much. Is this for training, enrichment, or just rewarding, and does your cat have any dietary restrictions I should know about?

Got it — so you want something he'll actually be excited about, but that won't undo a careful diet. How many treats are we talking roughly? A few a day, or more like a handful across multiple sessions?

That's a meaningful amount of daily calories if the treats are dense — which most commercial cat treats are. With a less active senior, that can genuinely tip the balance. What I'd recommend is Natures Menu Cat Treats in chicken. They're freeze-dried, single-ingredient, and each piece is tiny — roughly 1–2 calories — so you can keep giving them freely without guilt. Because they're pure meat with nothing added, they also hit that strong scent and flavour profile that Chartreux tend to respond well to. They're available on Amazon UK and hold up well as an everyday reward.

Probably not — and he may actually prefer them. Freeze-dried meat has a more intense smell than most processed treats, which tends to win cats over quickly. If you want to be safe, swap gradually over a few days by mixing them in with what he's used to. But honestly, most cats make the switch without any fuss at all.

You're welcome — enjoy the guilt-free rewarding. At 12 he's earned every one of them.