The first time you open a tube of lickable cat treats, you'll wonder what took you so long. Your cat will appear from whatever hidden corner of the house they've been napping in, drawn by the aroma of real chicken or tuna puree. And then they'll lick the tube clean in about 30 seconds flat.

But there's more to lickable treats than just squeezing and serving. How you feed them, when you feed them, and how much you give per session all affect your cat's enjoyment, nutrition, and your bond together. This guide covers everything you need to know to get the most out of every tube.

What Makes Lickable Treats Different

Traditional cat treats are crunchy kibble pieces. Lickable treats like Churu Cat Treats are a smooth, creamy puree squeezed from a tube. The texture is completely different — and that matters more than you'd think.

The creamy consistency appeals to cats on an instinctive level. It resembles the texture of fresh prey tissue, which triggers a strong feeding response even in picky eaters. The tube format also means your cat has to lick rather than crunch, which slows down eating and makes the treat last longer than a handful of kibble treats that get inhaled in seconds.

Beyond texture, the nutritional profile is different. Churu tubes contain 91% moisture — far more than dry treats — which means every tube delivers meaningful hydration along with the treat. At just 6 calories per tube, they're also significantly lower in calories than most crunchy alternatives.

The Hand-Feeding Technique

Hand-feeding is the signature way to serve lickable treats, and it's one of the best bonding tools available to cat owners.

  1. Tear the top off the tube. Churu tubes have a perforated tear line at the top. Pull it off cleanly — no scissors needed.
  2. Hold the tube at a slight downward angle. This lets gravity help the puree flow toward the opening without squeezing too hard.
  3. Let your cat come to you. Hold the tube near your cat and let them approach on their own terms. Cats respond better when they initiate contact.
  4. Squeeze gently as your cat licks. Apply light pressure to keep a small amount of puree flowing at the opening. Don't flood it — a thin, steady stream keeps your cat engaged longer.
  5. Move slowly if your cat is hesitant. First-time cats might sniff and back away. Set the tube on a flat surface with a small amount squeezed out so they can investigate at their own pace.

The hand-feeding experience creates trust between you and your cat. You're physically close, your cat is focused on the food in your hand, and there's nothing threatening about the interaction. Over time, even shy cats learn to associate your hand with something they love.

Using Lickable Treats as a Meal Topper

If your cat is a picky eater who leaves half their food untouched, a lickable treat squeezed over their meal can change everything.

Here's how to do it effectively:

  • Squeeze half a tube over dry kibble and mix it lightly. The moisture from the puree softens the kibble and adds aroma that makes the meal more appealing.
  • Drizzle over wet food as a flavor booster. Even cats who eat wet food consistently can become bored with the same flavors. A Churu topper in a different flavor adds variety without switching brands.
  • Warm the tube slightly by holding it in your hand for 30 seconds before serving. Warmth releases more aroma, which is the primary way cats decide whether to eat something.

The 91% moisture content in Churu treats makes them an especially good topper for dry food diets. You're not just making the meal tastier — you're adding hydration your cat probably isn't getting from the water bowl.

Lick Mat and Enrichment Feeding

Lick mats have become one of the most popular cat enrichment tools, and lickable treats are the perfect filling.

Spread one tube of Churu puree across a textured lick mat and let your cat work at it. The textured surface forces them to use their tongue methodically, which:

  • Extends treat time from 30 seconds to 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Provides mental stimulation that reduces boredom and anxiety.
  • Slows eating, which is beneficial for cats who eat too fast and vomit.

You can also freeze the lick mat for an even longer-lasting treat. Frozen puree on a lick mat is especially popular in summer and works as a cooling enrichment activity.

Frozen Puree Treats

Squeeze Churu tubes into silicone ice cube molds and freeze for 2 to 3 hours. The result is a small, frozen puree popsicle your cat can lick and bat around.

Frozen treats work well for:

  • Hot summer days when cats need cooling and hydration.
  • Extended enrichment — frozen treats last much longer than room-temperature ones.
  • Cats who tend to inhale treats too quickly. The frozen texture forces slower consumption.

Portion Control and Daily Limits

At 6 calories per tube, Churu treats are extremely diet-friendly. But portion control still matters — especially for cats on weight management programs.

General guidelines:

  • Healthy adult cats: 1 to 2 tubes per day is a reasonable treat allowance. This adds just 6 to 12 calories — a fraction of their daily intake.
  • Overweight cats: Stick to 1 tube per day and use it as a meal topper rather than an additional snack. The flavor boost can actually help overweight cats eat their calorie-controlled diet more consistently.
  • Kittens: Half a tube per day is plenty. Kittens have smaller stomachs and higher calorie needs from their main food.
  • Senior cats: 1 to 2 tubes per day, with extra focus on the hydration benefit. Many senior cats are chronically under-hydrated.

The key point: treats of any kind should make up no more than 10 percent of your cat's daily calories. With Churu at 6 calories per tube, you'd need to feed an unreasonable number of tubes to exceed that limit for most cats.

Storage Tips

  • Unopened tubes store at room temperature in a cool, dry location.
  • Once opened, use the entire tube or refrigerate the remainder and use within 24 hours.
  • Don't leave opened tubes at room temperature for extended periods — the high moisture content means bacteria can grow quickly once the seal is broken.

Making the Most of Every Tube

Lickable treats are one of the simplest ways to improve your cat's day. Whether you hand-feed for bonding, top meals for picky eaters, or use enrichment tools for mental stimulation, the Churu Creamy Puree Treats deliver 91% moisture, clean ingredients, and a taste that cats genuinely go wild for — all at 6 calories per tube. Keep a variety pack on hand and experiment with different serving methods to find what your cat loves most.