Comparing Catit Creamy And Churu: A Cat Parent’s Guide To Lickable Treats

As a devoted cat parent, I’m always on the lookout for treats that make my feline friends purr with delight. When it comes to lickable cat treats, Catit Creamy and Inaba Churu are two names that keep popping up.

Both promise hydration, flavor, and bonding moments, but which one truly wins my cats’ hearts—and mine? In this article, I’ll share my experience testing these treats, breaking down their pros, cons, and key features to help you decide which is best for your furry companion.

Comparison Table: Catit Creamy Vs. Inaba Churu

My Journey With Lickable Treats

I’ve got two cats, Luna and Milo, who are as different as night and day. Luna, my tabby, is a picky eater who turns her nose up at anything that doesn’t smell just right. Milo, on the other hand, is a food-obsessed orange fluffball who’d probably eat cardboard if I let him.

Finding treats that satisfy both has been a challenge, so when I heard about lickable treats like Catit Creamy and Inaba Churu, I was intrigued. These tube-based treats seemed like the perfect way to bond with my cats while sneaking in some hydration and nutrition. But with so many options, I needed to figure out which brand was worth my money—and my cats’ affection.

What Are Lickable Cat Treats?

Lickable treats are like the cat equivalent of a smoothie in a tube. They’re creamy, wet, and packed with flavor, designed to be squeezed out for your cat to lick directly or added as a food topper. They’re a hit because they tap into cats’ love for soft textures and strong flavors, plus they’re hydrating—perfect for cats like Luna who barely touch their water bowl. Both Catit Creamy and Churu are leaders in this category, but they each bring something unique to the table. Let’s break down their key features, pros, and cons to see how they stack up.

Catit Creamy: Features and Benefits

Catit Creamy caught my eye because it’s marketed as a healthy, hydrating treat with natural ingredients. Each 0.5-ounce tube is packed with taurine, an essential amino acid for cats, and comes in flavors like Chicken & Liver, Chicken & Shrimp, Salmon, and Tuna. The brand emphasizes high-quality proteins and avoids grains, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, and preservatives, which is a big plus for me since Milo has a sensitive stomach.

Pros of Catit Creamy

• Hydration Boost: With about 80-85% moisture, these treats help keep my cats hydrated, especially important for Luna, who’s prone to urinary issues.
• Taurine Inclusion: Every flavor includes taurine, supporting heart health, vision, and digestion—crucial for cats who can’t produce it naturally.
• Limited Ingredients: The short ingredient list (e.g., water, chicken, modified tapioca starch, natural flavor, rice bran oil, taurine) is great for sensitive cats like Milo, who can’t handle complex recipes.
• Versatile Serving Options: I can feed it directly, use it as a food topper, or freeze it into a cat-friendly popsicle. Luna loves licking it straight from the tube, and it’s become our bonding ritual.
• Dolphin-Friendly Tuna: The tuna flavors use sustainably sourced fish, which aligns with my values as an eco-conscious pet parent.

Cons of Catit Creamy

• Lower Protein Content: Compared to Churu, Catit’s protein levels (around 5-7%) are a bit lower, which might not satisfy cats needing a high-protein diet.
• Thicker Texture: Some cats, like Milo, find the paste-like consistency less appealing than Churu’s smoother puree. It doesn’t flow as easily, which can make hand-feeding messier.
• Higher Calorie Count: At 8-10 calories per tube, it’s slightly more caloric than Churu, so I have to be careful not to overdo it with Milo, who’s already a bit chunky.
• Limited Flavor Variety: With only four main flavors, it’s less diverse than Churu’s extensive range, which can be a drawback for picky eaters like Luna.
• Ingredient Concerns: Some recipes include rice bran oil, which, while safe, might not be ideal for cats with digestive issues, as one user noted it could deplete taurine in some contexts.

Also read: My Thoughts on Weruva Vs. Tiki Cat Wet Cat Food.

Inaba Churu: Features and Benefits

Inaba Churu is practically a celebrity in the cat treat world. These 0.5-ounce tubes come in a dizzying array of flavors—tuna, chicken, scallop, shrimp, and even combos like tuna with bonito or chicken with cheese. They’re grain-free, low-calorie (about 6 kcal per tube), and boast a high moisture content of 91%, making them a go-to for hydration. Most recipes include taurine, and the brand uses wild-caught tuna and farm-raised chicken for quality.

Pros of Inaba Churu

• High Moisture Content: At 91%, Churu is one of the most hydrating treats out there, perfect for cats who skimp on water. It’s been a game-changer for Luna’s urinary health.
• Low Calorie: With only 6 calories per tube, I can give Milo a treat without worrying about his waistline.
• Wide Flavor Variety: With 19+ flavors, there’s something for every cat. Luna goes wild for the tuna with scallop, while Milo loves the chicken.
• Smooth Texture: The creamy, almost liquid consistency is a hit with both my cats, making it easy to dispense and less messy than Catit.
• Medication Hack: Churu’s palatability makes it ideal for hiding pills. I’ve used it to sneak meds to Milo during his allergy flare-ups, and he doesn’t suspect a thing.

Cons of Inaba Churu

• Potential Allergens: Many flavors include fish or shellfish, which might not suit cats with allergies. Even single-protein recipes risk cross-contamination from shared equipment.
• Guar Gum Concerns: Some recipes use guar gum, which can cause stomach upset in sensitive cats. Milo had a bit of diarrhea after his first Churu binge, so I limit his intake.
• Inconsistent Taurine: Not all flavors include added taurine, which was a surprise since it’s so critical for cats. I have to double-check labels to ensure it’s there.
• Price Variability: While generally affordable, prices can fluctuate depending on the retailer, and bulk packs aren’t always cost-effective.
• Diarrhea Reports: Some cat parents report diarrhea, likely due to the high moisture or guar gum, so it’s not perfect for every cat.

Testing The Treats: My Cats’ Verdict

To get a real sense of how these treats compare, I decided to put them to the test with Luna and Milo. I set up a little taste-off in the kitchen, squeezing out a bit of Catit Creamy Chicken & Liver and Churu Tuna onto separate plates. Luna, true to her picky nature, sniffed the Catit first, gave it a tentative lick, and then moved to the Churu, which she devoured with gusto. Milo, predictably, inhaled both but seemed to linger longer on the Churu, probably because of its smoother texture.

Hand-feeding was next. Catit’s thicker consistency made it trickier to squeeze out evenly, and some got stuck in the tube, which frustrated me. Churu, with its almost liquid flow, was easier to manage, and both cats seemed to enjoy the interactive experience more. I also tried using both as food toppers on their dry kibble. Churu blended in better, making every bite enticing, while Catit sat a bit heavier on the kibble, though Luna still ate it.

Freezing the treats was a fun experiment. Catit’s popsicles held their shape better in the freezer, and Milo loved batting them around before licking. Churu’s higher water content made it a bit slushier, which Luna preferred on a hot day. Overall, Churu edged out slightly for palatability, but Catit’s versatility in serving options was a strong point.

Nutritional Breakdown: Which Is Healthier?

As a cat parent, I’m obsessive about what goes into my cats’ bodies. Both Catit Creamy and Churu are marketed as healthy, but let’s look at the numbers. Catit’s protein content hovers around 5-7%, which is decent but lower than Churu’s 7-9%. For obligate carnivores like cats, higher protein is always better, so Churu wins here. However, Catit’s consistent taurine inclusion across all flavors gives it an edge for long-term health, especially since some Churu recipes skip it.

Moisture is another big factor. Churu’s 91% moisture content is higher than Catit’s 80-85%, making it a better choice for hydration-focused needs, like supporting urinary health. Calorie-wise, Churu’s 6 kcal per tube is lower than Catit’s 8-10 kcal, which matters for cats like Milo who need weight management. Both are grain-free and avoid artificial additives, but Catit’s use of rice bran oil in some recipes raised my eyebrows, as it’s less common in cat treats and might not suit every digestive system. Churu’s guar gum, meanwhile, can be a tummy troublemaker for some cats.

Price and Accessibility

Budget matters when you’re spoiling two cats. Catit Creamy typically costs $0.50-$0.70 per tube, while Churu ranges from $0.40-$0.60, depending on the retailer. I found Churu more consistently available at places like Chewy, Amazon, and even Walmart, often in larger variety packs. Catit’s availability can be spottier, especially in bulk, and I’ve had to order directly from specialty pet stores to get the flavors I want. For cost-conscious cat parents, Churu’s slightly lower price and wider availability make it more accessible, but Catit’s quality justifies the extra cost for some.

Bonding and Practicality

One of the biggest draws of lickable treats is the bonding experience. Squeezing a tube while your cat licks away feels like a special moment, and both brands deliver here. Churu’s smoother texture makes it easier to control the flow, which I appreciated when feeding Luna, who can be a bit overzealous. Catit’s thicker paste requires more effort to dispense, but it’s less likely to drip, which is great for keeping my hands clean.

Both treats are also practical for other uses. I’ve used Churu to disguise Milo’s meds, and its intense flavor masks the bitterness perfectly. Catit works too, but its thicker texture makes it harder to mix with pills. As a food topper, Churu’s liquidity blends better with kibble, while Catit’s paste-like quality is better for wet food. Freezing them into treats is a tie—both work well, but Catit’s firmer texture makes it easier to handle post-freezer.

Read More: My Thoughts on Science Diet Kitten Vs. Indoor Kitten.

Which Treat Suits Your Cat?

Choosing between Catit Creamy and Churu depends on your cat’s needs and preferences. If your cat is a picky eater or needs a low-calorie, high-moisture treat, Churu’s variety and smooth texture make it a top pick. It’s also great for hiding meds or enticing cats with low appetites. On the other hand, Catit Creamy is ideal for cats with sensitive stomachs or those who benefit from consistent taurine and sustainable ingredients. Its versatility in serving options is a bonus for creative cat parents.

For me, Churu slightly edges out because Luna and Milo prefer its texture and flavors, and the lower calorie count fits Milo’s diet better. But Catit’s quality and eco-friendly sourcing keep it in my rotation, especially for Luna’s hydration needs. Ultimately, it’s about what makes your cat’s tail swish with joy.

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Conclusion

Picking the right treat for your cat is a balance of flavor, nutrition, and practicality. My journey with Catit Creamy and Inaba Churu showed me that both have their strengths—Churu’s unbeatable variety and hydration make it a favorite, while Catit’s quality ingredients and versatility keep it close. Try both with your cat to see what sparks their joy. You’ll find that special moment of bonding over a lickable treat is worth every squeeze.