Homemade Cat Treats – Easy Recipes Your Cat Will Love

We love our cats, and what better way to show we love them by making tasty homemade treats, that we know are good for the cat?

Making cat treats at home is fun, easy, and we have total control the ingredients.

Our cats can enjoy yummy snacks made from simple items like tuna, cheese, or even pumpkin.

We tailor the flavors to our cats likes and avoid any ingredients they’re sensitive to.

Plus, we know exactly what’s going into the cats food, giving us peace of mind about our cat’s health.

Let’s spoil kitty!

Six Benefits of Homemade Cat Treats

Here are some key benefits of homemade cat treats:

1.Control over ingredients

We get to choose exactly what goes into our kitty’s snacks.

This means we can avoid artificial additives or preservatives that might be in store-bought treats.

It may also mean that the treats may require refrigeration or to be eaten within a specific time frame.

This is a bit off a trade off with store bought treats, which may have a longer shelf life.

2.Customization Of Home Made Cat treats

We can tailor treats to our cat’s tastes or dietary needs.

For example, we can make treats for cats with specific health issues or food sensitivities.

It does take experimentation and it may not always work, so if kitty turns his nose up at your treats, don’t be offended.

Chalk it up to experience and think about how you can change the recipe next time.

3.Freshness Of Ingredients In treats

Homemade treats are often fresher than packaged options.

We know exactly when we make our homemade treats and we can store them properly.

4.Cost effective Cat Treats

Making treats at home can be cheaper in the long run, especially if you are able to buy ingredients in bulk.

This really does depend on the ingredients, so keep an eye on the amount spent if this is going to be a factor.

5.Portion control

We control the size of treats, helping prevent overfeeding.

Many experts suggest treats should make up no more than 10% of a cat’s daily calories.

6.Variety Of Cat treats

We can experiment with different recipes and ingredients to keep things interesting for our cats.

If the cat doesn’t like it, just move along.

Our elderly cat was prescribed Prozac (the cat equivalent) in his old age but he was notoriously difficult when it came to any medication. We made him some treats with his medication crushed and added to the treats. The treats were meticulously mixed and then baked.
Would the cat eat them? No! Haha! You have to laugh.

So not all cats will like all treats, even if we think they are brilliant.

Three Essential Ingredients for Healthy Cat Treats

Making healthy cat treats at home requires a balance of nutrients, including the best proteins, veggies, and grains to use in your homemade creations.

1.Protein Choices In Cat Treats

Just like location, location, location, cats need protein, protein, protein. Protein is key in treats.

Liver is a great option. We can use chicken, beef, or fish liver.

Eggs work well too. They bind ingredients and add protein.

Fish like tuna and salmon are cat favorites. These provide essential omega-3 fatty acids.

Lean meats like chicken or turkey are also good choices.

Avoid raw meats due to bacteria risks. It’s just not worth taking the chance. Always cook proteins fully before using them in treats.

2.Safe Vegetables and Herbs In Cat Treats

While cats are carnivores, some veggies can add nutrients to treats.

Pumpkin is a good choice. It aids digestion and cats often enjoy it.

Carrots, when cooked and mashed, can work well. They’re sweet and full of vitamins.

Catnip is a fun addition that many cats love.

Stay away from onions, garlic, and chives. These can be harmful to cats. Always research before adding new veggies or herbs to treats.

3.Grains and Other Carbohydrates

We should use grains in moderation. Cats don’t need many carbs in their diet.

Grains are useful as they can help bind treat ingredients together.

Oatmeal is a good option because it’s easy to digest and adds fiber.

Corn starch, sometimes called cornflour is another binding agent we can use.

Whole wheat flour works well in baked treats. If your cat has a grain sensitivity, try using coconut flour as an alternative.

Chia seeds are a great addition. They’re tiny but packed with nutrients. They add fiber and omega-3s to treats.

You probably already know that they are good for humans too.

No-Go Ingredients for Cat Treats

When making homemade cat treats, we need to be careful about what ingredients we include.

Some foods and additives can be harmful or even toxic to cats.

You need to know what to avoid.

Toxic Foods to Avoid

Cats can’t eat everything we can. We must keep these foods out of their treats:

We also need to watch out for xylitol, a sweetener that’s safe for humans but bad for cats.

Nuts, especially macadamia nuts, can be toxic too. All the more for us kitty. Yummo macadamias!

Unhealthy Additives and Preservatives

Many store bought treats have additives we can avoid in homemade versions.

Look at the following list. It is largely common sense but a reminder is not a bad thing.

Just stick to simple, natural ingredients in your homemade cat treats.

Fresh meats, fish, and cat safe vegetables are best.

By avoiding these no-go ingredients, we can make sure our cats get tasty, safe treats.

Five Easy Cat Treat Recipes

Here are some simple recipes that use common ingredients to create tasty snacks for your feline friend.

1.Meaty Bites

Cats love meat, so these treats are sure to be a hit. We start with chicken liver, a nutrient-rich ingredient many cats enjoy.

You’ll need:

• 1 cup chicken liver
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons cornmeal

Blend the liver in a food processor. Mix in the egg and cornmeal. Spread the mixture on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 15 minutes.

Cut into small squares when cool. Store in the fridge for up to a week.

These treats are high in protein and easy to make. Your cat will love the meaty flavor!

2.Fishy Delights

Fish is another favorite for many cats. We can use canned tuna to make quick and simple treats.

Ingredients:

• 1 can tuna in water, drained
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 egg

Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Form small balls with the mixture. Place on a baking sheet and flatten slightly.

Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes. Let cool before serving.

These tuna treats are packed with omega-3 fatty acids. They’re great for your cat’s skin and coat health.

Note: Just make this a sometimes treat as canned tuna can have added salt that cats just don’t need in their diet.

3.Chewy Snacks

For cats who prefer a softer texture, we have a recipe for chewy treats.

You’ll need:

• 1/2 cup cooked, mashed sweet potato
• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour

Mix the sweet potato and applesauce. Gradually add flour until a dough forms. Roll out and cut into small shapes.

Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes. Allow to cool completely before giving to your cat.

These sweet potato treats are gentle on sensitive stomachs. They’re also a good source of fiber and vitamins.

4.Ham It Up Cat Treats

You’ll need:

• 1 jar (2-1/2ounces) strained ham baby food
• 5/8 cup wheat germ
• 5/8 cup non-fat milk powder
• 1 egg, beaten

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Spray cookie sheet with vegetable oil spray.

Mix baby food, wheat germ, milk powder, and egg in medium bowl.

Drop by 1/2 teaspoonfuls onto prepared baking sheet.

Bake 12 to 15 minutes.

Remove from oven and let cool on wire rack.

Store baked treats in airtight container or plastic bag and place in refrigerator or freezer.

Makes 2-1/2 to 3 dozen

NOTE: Beef or chicken baby food may be substituted for ham baby food.

5.Cat Cookies

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 tsp catnip
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1/3 cup powdered milk
• 2 tbl butter or vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup Soy flour
• 1 egg
• 2 tbl Wheat germ
• 1 tbl Unsulfured molasses

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix dry ingredients together.

Add molasses, egg, oil and milk.

Roll out flat onto oiled cookie sheet and cut into small, cat bite-sized pieces.

Bake for 20 minutes and let cool. Store the cookies in a sealed container.

Dietary Considerations Making Cat Treats

Some cats have unique nutritional needs, like overweight kitties and those cats with food sensitivities.

Treats for Overweight Cats

Chubby cats need love too, but we have to be careful with their snacks.

Low calorie treats are key. We can make healthy cat treats at home using lean meats like chicken or turkey.

Portion control is crucial. Break treats into tiny pieces – your cat won’t mind! Freeze dried meat chunks work great as they’re pure protein with no fillers.

Try veggie treats too. Some cats enjoy small bits of cooked pumpkin or green beans. These are low in calories and high in fiber.

Remember, treats should make up no more than 10% of a cat’s daily calories. For weight loss, cut that to 5% or less.

Hypoallergenic Options

Cats with food allergies need special care when it comes to treats. You can make safe, allergen free snacks at home.

Single ingredient treats are best. If the cat has an adverse reaction you will quickly be able to identify the problem ingredient.

Dehydrated chicken, turkey, or fish work well if your cat isn’t allergic to these proteins.

Proteins like duck or rabbit are good choices for sensitive kitties. These are less likely to cause reactions.

Avoid common allergens like dairy, wheat, and soy. Instead, use coconut flour or chickpea flour for baked treats.

Always introduce new treats for cats slowly and watch for any signs of allergic reactions like itching or tummy upset.

Preparing and Storing Home Made Cat Treats

Preparation and Cooking Tips For Cat Treats

When baking crunchy tuna cat treats, we like to use a low oven temperature around 350°F. This helps create that satisfying crunch cats love.

We always line our baking trays with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

For sweet potato treats, we cut them into small 2 inch batons. Cats prefer bite sized morsels they can easily eat.

We brush a thin layer of oil on the tray to give the treats a nice golden color.

Remember to let the treats cool completely before giving them to your cat.

Taste test, to make sure the flavors are just right.

Storage Solutions For Cat Treats

Proper storage keeps homemade cat treats fresh and safe.

We use airtight containers or mason jars to lock in freshness.

For soft treats, we store them in the fridge.

They typically last 5-7 days when refrigerated.

Hard treats can be kept at room temperature in a cool, dry place for up to 2 weeks.

We like to make small batches to ensure our cats always have fresh treats.

If we make extras, we freeze them in portion sized bags.

Frozen treats stay good for up to 3 months. We thaw them in the fridge overnight before serving.

Always check treats for signs of spoilage before giving them to your cat. If they smell off or look moldy, it’s best to toss them and make a fresh batch.

Interactive Cat Treat Games

Cats love treats and games.

Let’s combine them for double the fun!

These activities will keep your kitty entertained and satisfied.

DIY Puzzle Feeders For Home Made Cat Treats

We can easily make puzzle feeders at home. A simple option is the treat tube toy. Just stuff some soft treats in a toilet paper roll. Your cat will have to work to get them out.

For a bigger challenge, try a homemade version of a peek-a-prize box.
Use a cardboard box with small holes cut out.
Put treats inside and watch your cat figure it out.

The muffin tin game is an easy puzzle feeder which basically requires no effort at all. Place treats in some of the cups and cover them with small balls. Your cat will have to move the balls to find the goodies.

Hide and Seek Treats

This game taps into your cat’s hunting instincts. We can hide treats around the house for our feline friends to find.

Start easy by placing treats in plain sight.

Gradually make it harder. Put treats under cushions or in empty boxes.

You can even make a treat scavenger hunt throughout your home.

Try hiding treats in paper bags or wrapping them in tissue paper. The sound and texture add extra fun for your cat.

Remember to use healthy treats and not overdo it. These games should be a small part of your cat’s diet.