Can Cats Eat Dog Treats? A Little Secret From Muenster

Can cats eat dog treats? Some can, including Muenster’s single-ingredient freeze-dried minnows, beef liver, salmon, and chicken breast treats, served in small, appropriately sized portions. That does not mean every dog treat is suitable for cats.

Have a cat who comes running when you open the dog’s treat bag? We’ll let you in on a little secret: some of those treats might already be familiar favorites in the cat aisle.

At Muenster, we make cat treats for other brands through our private label program. Our minnows, liver, salmon, and chicken breast are items we already make as cat treats for other brands.

So when we talk about treats that dogs and cats can share, we’re drawing on our own experience making them.

A dog on the bag doesn’t always tell the whole story

Some treats are made specifically for dogs, with ingredients, sizes, or textures that aren’t appropriate for cats. But others have more in common than you might expect.

Our single-ingredient minnows, beef liver, salmon, and chicken breast are products we also make as cat treats for private label customers. The dog on our packaging doesn’t change the ingredient inside.

That’s good news for households where both the dog and the cat expect something when the treat bag opens.

Shop four Muenster treats cats can enjoy, too

These links take you to our existing dog treat listings. Choose the specific single-ingredient products below; this guidance does not apply to every treat in our range.

Freeze-Dried Minnows, 2.5 oz

Ingredient: Whole minnows. Made in Texas. Break into small pieces appropriate for your cat before serving, or crumble a little over their usual food.

Shop Muenster Freeze-Dried Minnows

Freeze-Dried Beef Liver, 3 oz

Ingredient: Beef liver. Made in Texas. Offer a small piece as an occasional reward or crumble a small amount over your cat’s regular meal.

Shop Muenster Freeze-Dried Beef Liver Treats

Freeze-Dried Salmon, 3 oz

Ingredient: Salmon. Made in Texas. Break into manageable pieces for a fish-flavored reward.

Shop Muenster Freeze-Dried Salmon Treats

Freeze-Dried Chicken Breast, 3 oz

Ingredient: Chicken breast. Made in Texas. Break off a small piece for treat time or crumble a little over your cat’s usual food.

Shop Muenster Freeze-Dried Chicken Breast Treats

How to share treats with your cat

• Start with a small amount and introduce one new treat at a time.
• Break pieces into a size your cat can comfortably manage, and supervise while they eat.
• Count treats and toppers together. Treats should provide no more than 10% of daily calories, with the rest coming from complete and balanced cat food.
• Check with your veterinarian before adding treats if your cat has allergies, a medical condition, or a prescription diet.
• Follow package storage and handling instructions, wash your hands after handling, and keep fresh drinking water available.

The WSAVA guide to feeding treats to cats explains the 10% calorie guideline and how to choose appropriate treats. Your veterinarian can help determine your cat’s daily calorie needs.

Frequently asked questions

Can cats eat all dog treats?

No. Suitability depends on the exact product, ingredients, texture, serving size, and your cat’s individual needs. Our recommendations here are limited to the four Muenster single-ingredient products linked above.

Can cats eat freeze-dried minnows?

Muenster’s single-ingredient freeze-dried minnows are among the products we also make as cat treats for private label brands. Serve small, appropriately sized pieces as an occasional treat.

Are chicken breast treats the same as chicken training treats?

No. This post recommends our single-ingredient Chicken Breast treats. Our Chicken Bites and Chicken Training Treats are different recipes and are not covered by this recommendation.

Can these treats replace cat food?

No. These products are for intermittent or supplemental feeding. They do not replace a complete and balanced feline diet.

Does freeze-drying mean a treat is cooked?

No. Freeze-drying gently removes moisture without cooking the treat. Before any batch leaves Muenster, we test it to make sure it meets our quality and safety standards, so you can feel good about what’s in their treat bag.

One household. Plenty of happy treat moments.

You don’t need a separate shopping trip to find these four treats for the dog and cat in your life. Start with a small portion, keep their regular meals at the center of their diet, and let everyone enjoy their own little treat moment.