Dreamies Cat Treats: Cat Treat Royalty?

In this Dreamies cat treat review, we’re going to shine some light on the mysteries behind one of the most popular treats of all time. 

It’s hard to find a cat owner who isn’t familiar with Dreamies cat treats. Commonly considered the most addictive cat treats on the market, the company isn’t exaggerating when it suggests your feline friends will go crazy for just a couple of these crunchy treats. 

Dreamies come in a variety of flavors and packet size options, ranging from tiny treat bags to large plastic containers which promise to be “cat-proof”.

If you’ve tried to stay clear of Dreamies until now, to avoid creating a new obsession for your cat, or you’re looking for treats to welcome in a new addition to the family, you’re in the right place. 

Let’s get started.

Dreamies Cat Treats and Why are they Called Cat Crack?

Dreamies are a kind of crunchy treat designed for cats. The outside of the cat treat is a kind of biscuit, while the inside features a soft filling, usually flavored with things like chicken, cheese, or beef. 

The Dreamies brand created its unique treats by focusing on the tasty flavors and things cats crave most from their food. For instance, cats are natural carnivores. As beef-based treats, it’s no surprise cats are attracted to the meaty smell and taste of these treats. Many cats also love Dreamies because they’re high in fat.

Studies suggest cats have taste receptors that naturally detect fat, which is why your kitty is commonly attracted to things like milk and cream too. As one research article notes, cats are also drawn to foods high in protein. Although there are more protein-rich treats out there, the meaty flavor generally convinces your cat they’re getting the protein they need.

Are Dreamies Healthy for Cats?

As human beings, we know the things we love aren’t always good for us. Just because your cat loves a handful of Dreamies on occasion doesn’t mean you should be feeding them Dreamies all the time. 

We all love giving our cats treats from time to time, particularly if they’ve been well-behaved. Since we’ve yet to find a cat who doesn’t enjoy Dreamies, we’d definitely say you’re going to get into your cat’s good books with one of these treats. However, be cautious.

Dreamies aren’t necessarily “bad for cats”, but they’re intended to be given in small doses. Just like you can eat a chocolate bar from time to time without seeing a lot of negative health repercussions (unless you have an allergy), your cats need moderation too.

One study conducted into Dreamies found that they have about 5% more calories than a glazed donut – meaning they’re not the best for your cat’s weight. Generally, it’s best to avoid giving your kitty too many of any treat in a short space of time. You can definitely offer them the occasional treat but remember Dreamies aren’t a substitute for a balanced diet.

How do You Choose the Right Cat Treat?

Choosing a good cat treat option for your cat can seem tricky, but it’s not always as complex as it seems. Most of the time, you’d just look for the same high-quality ingredients you’d need from standard cat food. Check the back of the package to see if you can see which foods are in the recipe.

Generally, it’s best to stay away from high amounts of sugar and fat. High amounts of animal meat are usually the best option for a cat. It’s also worth avoiding high amounts of vegetable proteins, like pea protein, which might be tougher for some cats to digest. 

Make sure you’re aware of any allergies or sensitivities your cat has before you begin shopping too. Dreamies are not the best cat food for allergies, so if you know your cat has food allergy issues then steer clear.

Look for:

Remember portion sizing is also extremely important. Treats should only make up about 10% of a cat’s diet or less. You can use them for things like special occasions and training.

Dreamies Review: The Ingredients

Dreamies come in a variety of tasty flavors. There are packs made with tuna, chicken, beef, cheese, salmon, duck, and turkey. The common ingredients in all variations remain largely the same, including meat, meat by-products, vegetable protein extract, corn, vegetable by-products, oils, fats, and minerals. 

The primary ingredients of Dreamies are meat and animal derivatives, including 4% of the primary meat flavor listed on the package (Such as chicken). Notably, in many countries, it’s not legally required for the manufacturers of food items like Dreamies to be listed in full. This means you might see very vague composition information on your Dreamies package.

Let’s see if we can break the ingredients down a little:

Are Dreamies Addictive for Cats?

This might sound like a silly question if you haven’t fed your cat Dreamies in the past. A lot of pet parents, however, are convinced their cats can become “addicted” to treats like Dreamies over time. If you indulge your cat too often with this treat, she could get into the habit of trying to eat them every day, which can be problematic for long-term health.

While it’s certainly possible to give cats Dreamies as an occasional treat, using them in moderation is a good way to prevent things like “addiction” or overeating. We’d recommend using Dreamies as a way to reinforce positive behavior, rather than as a random treat. This should help to reduce the risk of addiction and help to encourage positive behavior from your cat.

Keep your cat’s treats away from them when you’re not around. It’s common to see cats who love Dreamies regularly seeking out their treats. If your kitty finds a bag of Dreamies unattended, they may eat the whole pack – which definitely isn’t a great thing for their health.

This might sound like a silly question if you haven’t fed your cat Dreamies in the past. A lot of pet parents, however, are convinced their cats can become “addicted” to treats like Dreamies over time. If you indulge your cat too often with this treat, she could get into the habit of trying to eat them every day, which can be problematic for long-term health.

While it’s certainly possible to give cats Dreamies as an occasional treat, using them in moderation is a good way to prevent things like “addiction” or overeating. We’d recommend using Dreamies as a way to reinforce positive behavior, rather than as a random treat. This should help to reduce the risk of addiction and help to encourage positive behavior from your cat.

Keep your cat’s treats away from them when you’re not around. It’s common to see cats who love Dreamies regularly seeking out their treats. If your kitty finds a bag of Dreamies unattended, they may eat the whole pack – which definitely isn’t a great thing for their health.

Dreamies Review: The Pros and Cons

Dreamies are clearly a delectable and highly moreish treat for cats. However, it’s important to use them correctly. Like a human treat, a cat treat isn’t a replacement for high-quality food, packed with all the vitamins, minerals, and other essentials your kitty needs. 

Since it’s not necessary for products like Dreamies to list all of the ingredients you might find in their products in-depth, it’s hard to know exactly how healthy these treats are. However, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of problems with the composition of Dreamies. Like any cat treat, they’re not as healthy as standard cat food, but they’ll make your kitty very happy in small doses.

The best way to think of Dreamies is as the same as a treat for us humans. You wouldn’t eat your favorite candy every day and assume you’d stay healthy. In the same vein, it’s best to avoid giving your cat too many of its favorite treats too. Additionally, just as treats wouldn’t give us all the nutritional value of a high-quality diet, the same is true for your cat. Dreamies should never be a substitute for great, healthy food – no matter how picky your cat seems to be.

Dreamies Cat Treats: The Verdict

We get it. You might be trying to give your cat the most healthy diet you can. Maybe even trying all human grade fresh food or organic cat food. That's admirable, but maybe your cat still deserves a treat that doesn't have quite that levely of quality ingredients now and gain.

While Dreamies aren’t the healthiest cat treat we’ve ever seen on the market, they’re certainly one of the most popular. Although these treats don’t have huge amounts of protein, or the ability to freshen breath, they’re not particularly bad for your cat either. Like any treat, you’ll just need to make sure you’re offering Dreamies in moderation.

Adult cats can have around 15 Dreamies per day. For kittens, you’re best to follow the advice on the packaging. Small amounts of treats are okay in most cases if they don’t get in the way of feeding your kitten the right balanced diet.

Cats love Dreamies because they’re largely meat-based and contain a lot of attractive fats. However, like many of the things we humans love, Dreamies aren’t designed to be a common food source for your kitty. You should never substitute your cat’s actual food with things like Dreamies. Only serve these treats occasionally to your pet, one or two times per week. You can also speak to your vet if you have any concerns about using Dreamies.

FAQ:

Can cats be allergic to Dreamies?

Cats can have intolerances to many different kinds of ingredients, including certain grains (Cereals) and meat by-products. If you notice your cat getting spots or acting differently after eating Dreamies, this may be a sign that they’re not responding well to Dreamies. Consider seeing your vet and getting an allergy test done if necessary.

Can cats get sick from extra treats?

Yes! You’d get sick from eating several bars of chocolate in one sitting, and cats can feel unwell after too many treats too. It’s also worth noting products like Dreamies are high in fats and calories. This means giving your cat a lot of Dreamies could lead to a higher chance of obesity and other health issues. Be sure to give your cats treats in moderation.

Are Dreamies the same as Temptations?

Though they look the same, Temptations and Dreamies are a little different, with slightly different ingredients. Both are made by the Mars company, but Temptations are sold in the US, while Dreamies are common in the UK and other parts of the world.

When’s the best time to give a cat Dreamies?

Because Dreamies are extremely popular with cats, we’d recommend using that fact to your advantage. Give Dreamies to your kitty when you’re training them to exhibit good behavior. If your cat has something they love to associate with good behavior, they’ll be more likely to continue replicating that behavior in the future.

How many Dreamies should I give my cat?

Generally, the maximum number of Dreamies you’d give a cat in one day would be around 15 for an adult. You can give your cat a lower number of Dreamies if they’re still young, or you’re trying to help them lose weight with a calorie-restricted diet.

Can I feed my cats Dreamies as dry food?

Not only would this be extremely expensive, but it wouldn’t be good for your cat either. Dreamies have their positives, but they don’t have the same nutritional value as high-quality cat food.  You’ll need to find the right food for your cat and only use Dreamies as a treat occasionally.