Temptations are one of the most popular cat treats on the market, but they contain a combination of high salt, excess carbohydrates, artificial additives, and mineral levels that can cause real health problems, especially when fed regularly or in large amounts. The concerns aren’t just about one bad ingredient. It’s the overall nutritional profile and how it interacts with a cat’s biology.
The Salt and Fat That Keep Cats Hooked
If your cat goes absolutely wild for Temptations and refuses other treats by comparison, that’s by design. These treats contain high levels of salt and fat that trigger a strong craving response, similar to how humans get hooked on fast food. Veterinary experts have described cats that eat these regularly as “treat junkies.”
The backstory is revealing. The semi-moist pet food formulas that eventually became treats like Temptations were originally sold as diets. When pet food regulatory agencies analyzed them, they found unhealthy levels of salt for cats and banned them as primary foods. Manufacturers then repackaged these same formulations as treats, exploiting a loophole: since treats are meant to be given in small amounts, the high salt content was considered acceptable. The product didn’t get healthier. It just got reclassified.
This matters because many cat owners don’t stick to the recommended serving size. When a cat begs relentlessly and you keep handing out treats, that “small amount” adds up fast. The general guideline from veterinary nutritionists is that treats should make up no more than 10% of a cat’s total daily calories. For an average indoor cat eating around 200 calories a day, that’s only about 20 calories in treats.
Too Many Carbohydrates for an Obligate Carnivore
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning their bodies are built to run on animal protein and fat, not carbohydrates. Temptations contain grain-based fillers like corn and wheat that push the carbohydrate content well above what a cat’s metabolism is designed to handle.
Research published in the journal Nutrition Research shows exactly why this is a problem. When cats eat high-carbohydrate foods, they experience sharper spikes in blood sugar and greater insulin secretion compared to when they eat protein-rich foods. Those insulin spikes increase hunger and promote overeating, creating a cycle of weight gain. In one study, cats fed higher-glycemic diets consumed more calories overall and gained more weight when allowed to eat freely.
Obesity is already the most common nutritional problem in pet cats, and it’s a significant risk factor for type 2 diabetes. The mechanism works the same way it does in humans: excess weight leads to insulin resistance, which forces the pancreas to produce more and more insulin to keep blood sugar in check. Over time, that constant overwork can exhaust the insulin-producing cells and tip a cat into full-blown diabetes. Feeding carb-heavy treats on top of a carb-heavy kibble diet accelerates this process.
Artificial Additives With No Nutritional Value
Temptations contain artificial colors and preservatives that serve the product’s shelf life and visual appeal, not your cat’s health. Preservatives like BHA and BHT are commonly used in these treats to prevent fats from going rancid. While small individual doses may not cause obvious harm, the concern is cumulative exposure over months and years of daily feeding. Both compounds have raised enough safety questions in broader toxicology research to make many pet owners and veterinarians uncomfortable with routine use.
Artificial dyes are even harder to justify. Cats don’t choose food based on color, so these additives exist purely for the owner’s benefit. For cats with sensitivities, synthetic additives can trigger digestive upset, skin irritation, or allergic reactions. Even in cats that tolerate them fine, these ingredients contribute nothing nutritionally. They’re filler in the truest sense.
Mineral Content and Urinary Problems
One of the most serious concerns cat owners report is a connection between Temptations and urinary tract issues. Cats are prone to developing crystals in their urine, which can clump together and block the urethra, a life-threatening emergency, particularly in male cats. The mineral content in a cat’s diet, especially magnesium and phosphorus levels, plays a direct role in whether these crystals form.
Cat owners who feed prescription urinary diets (like Hill’s c/d) have reported that introducing Temptations triggered blockages and crystal formation even when the rest of the diet was carefully controlled. In online communities, multiple owners describe the same pattern: cats on urinary-safe food developed problems only after Temptations were added, and the issues resolved completely once the treats were removed. While these are individual reports rather than controlled studies, the pattern is consistent enough that many veterinarians advise against giving Temptations to any cat with a history of urinary issues.
Even for cats without a known urinary problem, the mineral load from daily treat consumption adds to whatever their main food already provides. That extra intake can shift urine chemistry enough to create an environment where crystals are more likely to form.
What Safer Treat Options Look Like
If you want to give your cat treats without the risks associated with Temptations, look for options with short ingredient lists built around real meat or fish. Freeze-dried single-protein treats (like chicken breast or salmon) contain no fillers, artificial colors, or added salt, and most cats find them just as appealing.
Small pieces of plain cooked chicken, turkey, or fish also work well as treats and give you complete control over what your cat is eating. The key is keeping all treats, even healthy ones, within that 10% calorie guideline. A few small pieces of chicken a day is plenty.
For cats already hooked on Temptations, the transition can be rough. Expect a few days of protest. Cats that have been eating high-salt, high-fat treats regularly will initially turn their nose up at simpler options, just like a person switching from potato chips to plain vegetables. But their palate does adjust, usually within a week or two.