Low-sodium cat treats for HCM-prone cats

Devon Rex cats are already predisposed to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, so keeping sodium low in their diet — treats included — is genuinely important, not just cautious. Cats are notoriously fussy about treats anyway: they tend to go for strongly-scented, meat-based options and reject anything sweet or grain-heavy. The best cat treats are high-protein and low in additives. Before I point you in a direction, a couple of quick questions: is this treat for training, enrichment, or just rewarding? And has your vet flagged any other dietary restrictions beyond the sodium concern?

That's a lovely reason to give treats, and it makes the brief simpler — you're not after something he needs to work for, just something genuinely enjoyable. For a cat with HCM concerns, what you want to avoid is anything with added salt, preservatives like sodium tripolyphosphate, or broth-heavy recipes that sneak sodium in. Many mainstream treats fail on at least one of those counts. Can I ask — does he have any strong protein preferences? Chicken, fish, duck? Some Devon Rex cats are surprisingly opinionated about this.

Perfect — that makes this straightforward. I'd go with Thrive Premium 100% Chicken Freeze-Dried Cat Treats. The ingredient list is exactly one item: chicken breast. No added salt, no fillers, no preservatives, no broth — just freeze-dried meat. That makes them about as close to a zero-sodium-additive treat as you'll find commercially. They're also very high in protein and low in moisture, so the chicken flavour is intense and concentrated, which is exactly what cats respond to. The pieces are small, which is good for a reward treat — you're not overloading his intake. They're widely available on Amazon UK and have a strong track record with cats who are on restricted diets. Given the HCM predisposition, I'd still recommend mentioning the treat to your vet at his next check-up, but Thrive is genuinely one of the cleanest options on the market.

For a cat his size and age, a few pieces — say three to five — as an occasional reward is plenty. Freeze-dried treats are nutrient-dense, so a little goes a long way, and keeping treats to under 10% of daily caloric intake is a reasonable general rule. Because Devon Rex cats can have sensitive digestion alongside the cardiac concerns, it's worth introducing any new treat gradually over a few days rather than offering a handful straight away. But Thrive's simplicity really does work in your favour here — one ingredient means far fewer variables if he ever has a reaction to anything.

Exactly — with a cat who has a known health vulnerability, the simpler the ingredient list, the better. Thrive Chicken is a solid, trustworthy choice. Enjoy the rewarding sessions with him.