Kimberly
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The Great Temptations Tub: A Chronicle of Feline Seduction
Or: How a Giant Purple Container Gained Complete Control of My Cat (And My Household)
It began, as many great obsessions do, with a simple desire for convenience. I was tired of buying those flimsy, overpriced pouches of cat treats that Mochi would demolish in a week. I wanted value. I wanted something that wouldn’t go stale. I saw the 30-ounce purple tub of Temptations Tasty Chicken treats on the shelf. It was comically large, like something you’d buy for a small army of cats. I had one cat. I shrugged and put it in my cart.
Little did I know, I wasn’t just buying treats. I was purchasing a system. A behavioral tool of immense power. A tiny, chicken-flavored currency that would rewrite the rules of our relationship. This is the chronicle of those six months.
The object of our shared obsession…
See the Giant Tub on Amazon(This is an affiliate link. I bought mine at the grocery store, but this is where I’d look now.)
The First Shake: I opened the tub. The scent was… aggressively chicken-y. I shook it gently. The sound was a dry, rattling shikka-shikka-shikka. From a dead sleep on the couch, Mochi’s head snapped up. Her pupils dilated. She was across the room and at my feet in two seconds flat, emitting a chirp of pure, undiluted demand. I dropped two treats. She inhaled them. A look of profound, spiritual satisfaction crossed her face. The pact was sealed.
The Timeline of Total Enslavement (Mine and Hers)
The Conditioning Period
I was responsible. I used them only as rewards for coming inside. The shake became the most effective recall signal in history. She could be in the deepest throes of bird-watching hypnosis, but that rattle would break the spell. I felt like a genius trainer. Little did I know, she was training me. She learned that certain behaviors—rubbing my legs while I cooked, a particularly loud meow at 6 AM—could also trigger the Shake.
The Discovery of “Under 2 Calories”
Guilt is a constant companion for pet parents. Was I giving too many? I checked the tub. “< 2 Calories per treat." This was a revelation. I did the math. Giving her five treats was fewer calories than one extra piece of her kibble. The “guilt-free” claim became real. It meant I could say “yes” to those pleading eyes more often. This, I would learn, was both a blessing and a curse.
The Tub as Furniture
The giant purple container lived on the kitchen counter. It became a landmark. Mochi would sit and stare at it, as if meditating on the source of all goodness. The resealable lid was indeed “cat-proof.” She’d bat at it, try to pry it with her claws, but it held firm. This was a critical design feature—it protected her from herself, and protected the treats from becoming a 30-ounce floor buffet.
The State of the Union
We are here. The tub is half empty. The treats at the bottom are as fresh and crunchy as the ones on top. Mochi is a healthy weight. Her coat is shiny (maybe from the vitamins in the treats? Maybe from happiness?). The shake governs our lives. I use it to get her into the carrier for vet visits. I use it to lure her away from chewing on cords. It is the ultimate peace treaty. And yes, she sometimes turns up her nose at her dinner, hoping for more Temptations. The balance of power is delicate.
The Honest Ledger: What This Tub Giveth and Taketh Away
The Glorious Pros (Why I Keep Buying It)
- Unmatched Behavioral Leverage: That shake is magic. It’s more effective than calling her name, tapping her bowl, or anything else. For training, recalling, or just getting her attention, it’s a superpower.
- Genuine Peace of Mind on Calories: The “< 2 calories" is real. I can spoil her a little without worrying about her turning into a furry sphere.
- The Tub is a Hero: It keeps treats fresh for MONTHS. No stale, sad treats. And it’s a fortress against determined feline burglars.
- The “Complete & Balanced” Bonus: Knowing they have vitamins and taurine makes me feel less like I’m feeding her junk and more like I’m giving a tiny, tasty supplement. It feels more responsible than giving her bits of cheese.
- Pure, Unadulterated Joy: The look on her face when she hears that shake. The happy crunching. It’s a simple, pure moment of delight in our day. That’s priceless.
The Candid Cons (The Fine Print of Power)
- You Create a Monster (A Cute One): The power dynamic shifts. She now knows what the tub is and will demand it. There are strategic stares. There is purposeful meowing at the counter. You must be the disciplined one.
- Ingredient Snobbery is Real: The first ingredient is chicken by-product meal, and there’s corn in there. If your cat has a known grain allergy or you’re a strict “single-protein, no-by-product” household, this isn’t your treat. For Mochi (no known issues), it’s fine, but I read the label with a slight cringe.
- The Picky Eater Paradox: There’s a risk they’ll hold out for treats instead of eating their proper food. I combat this by never giving treats near mealtime and being strict about it.
- The Noise is a Trigger (For You Too): You will jump if you hear a similar rattle elsewhere in your life. A pill bottle, a box of screws. Your brain will instantly go: “Cat. Treats. Now.”
- It’s a Commitment: That’s a lot of treats. If your cat decides they hate it after two weeks, you’re stuck with a giant purple paperweight.
The Questions You’re Really Asking
They’re not chemically addicted. They’re highly, highly motivated. The combination of the specific sound, the intense smell, and the crunchy/soft texture hits all their pleasure centers. It’s the feline equivalent of the perfect potato chip. You can control it with portion discipline, but the desire is strong.
The line between high-value reward and bribery is thin! I use it as a reward for a behavior I’ve asked for (coming when called, going in the crate). If you shake the tub before she does the thing, it’s a lure. If you shake it after she does the thing on command, it’s a reward. It’s all in the timing.
Mochi has a cast-iron gut, so I can’t speak from experience here. However, the formula isn’t specifically for sensitivities. If your cat gets diarrhea from rich foods or chicken by-products, I’d start with a tiny amount. Maybe get a small bag first, not the giant tub!
It lasts one cat like Mochi about 4-5 months with daily treating. For me, the value and freshness were worth it. If you’re unsure, start with a bag. But if you know your cat loves Temptations, the tub is the most economical way to buy them, and the packaging is superior.
The Final Verdict: To Shake or Not to Shake?
Six months in, the giant purple tub is a permanent fixture in my kitchen and in my relationship with Mochi. It has given me a tool of incredible utility and her a source of daily joy. Yes, it has made her a little more demanding. Yes, I sometimes feel like a pusher in a dysfunctional partnership. But when I shake that tub and she comes running, eyes wide, tail high, all annoyance melts away.
This isn’t just a treat. It’s a communication device. It’s a peace offering. It’s a tiny, chicken-flavored “I love you” that she understands perfectly.
If you get this tub, know what you’re signing up for: a long-term commitment, a shift in household dynamics, and the immense satisfaction of having the ultimate bargaining chip with a creature who otherwise believes they owe you nothing. For me, the trade-off has been worth every single crunchy, soft-centered bite.
Just remember: with great treat power, comes great responsibility. And maybe hide the tub when you’re not looking.
(Maybe get a small bag first to make sure your cat is part of the cult.)
Disclaimer: I am a passionate pet owner, not a veterinarian or animal nutritionist. Mochi’s experience is unique to her. This article is based solely on my personal observations over six months. Always consult your vet if you have concerns about your cat’s diet, weight, or if they have known food allergies. Treats should not exceed 10% of your cat’s daily caloric intake. The information in this article is for entertainment and informational purposes only.
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