Friskies Party Mix Crunch Review: The Cheap Crunchy Treat Cats Go Wild For

Friskies Party Mix has been a fixture near the top of Amazon’s crunchy cat treat rankings for years, and the math behind that is simple: it’s inexpensive, sold in both resealable pouches and larger canisters, and cats seem to genuinely love it. With over 20,000 ratings averaging around 4.7 stars, it’s one of the more reviewed treats in its category, and a huge share of that feedback centers on the same theme — cats hearing the bag shake and sprinting into the kitchen.

Part of the appeal is variety within a single bag. Each pouch mixes several shapes and colors of crunchy pieces, which many owners say keeps things interesting for cats that can get bored with a single uniform treat. Combine that with a low per-treat calorie count (under 2 calories each) and a price that rarely climbs above single digits, and it’s easy to see why it keeps landing in recurring Subscribe & Save orders rather than one-off purchases.

The core appeal of Party Mix is texture. These are oven-baked, crunchy bites rather than the soft, meaty treats some cats prefer — and that crunch is exactly what a lot of owners are looking for, whether it’s for satisfying a cat’s urge to chew, helping scrape a bit of plaque during snacking, or just having something that doesn’t leave a greasy residue on carpet or furniture when a treat gets dropped mid-play.

Because each piece comes in at under 2 calories, it’s an easy treat to use liberally without derailing a cat’s daily calorie budget — useful for training sessions, luring a shy cat out for socialization, or simply doling out a few extra rewards during the day. It’s available in a few flavor lines, including Original and Chicken Lovers, so if one doesn’t land with a picky cat, there’s a reasonable chance a different flavor variant will. The canister format is worth calling out too — it’s a bit more spill-resistant on a counter than the pouch, which some owners specifically buy for that reason.

Not every cat is a crunchy-treat cat, and that’s the most common thread in critical reviews: owners whose cats simply prefer soft, moist treats like Temptations over anything crunchy, regardless of flavor. It’s worth sampling a small bag before committing to a bulk canister if you’re not sure which texture your cat favors. Some reviewers also note a fairly strong smell when the bag or canister is opened — not a dealbreaker for most, but noticeable enough to mention repeatedly. And like many budget treats in this category, the ingredient list includes corn-based fillers, which won’t suit owners specifically seeking grain-free or limited-ingredient treats for a cat with sensitivities.

If your cat already enjoys crunchy treats, or you’re not sure yet and want to find out cheaply, Friskies Party Mix is a low-risk way to test the waters. The price point makes it easy to try without much commitment, and the mixed shapes give it a bit more staying power than a single-texture treat. It’s a solid everyday reward for training, litter box transitions, or just an evening ritual — not a specialty or prescription treat, and not the right pick if your cat has already told you, repeatedly, that soft treats are the only currency it accepts.

For most households, though, it earns its spot as a pantry staple: cheap enough to always have on hand, well-liked by the majority of cats, and easy to portion out without worrying about overfeeding.