Most commercial cat treats are filled with mystery fillers, artificial preservatives, and way more calories than your kitty needs. The secret? Making healthy, gourmet treats at home is actually cheaper, healthier, and easier than you think.
Whether you have a picky eater, a senior cat who needs soft chews, or just want to spoil your furry friend with love, these 5 vet-approved recipes use simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
⚠️ Safety First: Foods to Avoid
Before you start improvising, never include these toxic ingredients in cat treats:
- Onions & Garlic: Highly toxic to cats (causes anemia).
- Grapes & Raisins: Kidney failure risk.
- Chocolate: Fatal in large amounts.
- Xylitol: Artificial sweetener found in peanut butter (always check the label!).
1. Salmon & Oat "Crunchies"
Best for: Coat Health & Picky Eaters
🐟 The Recipe
Ingredients:- 10 oz canned salmon (in water, no salt added), undrained
- 1 egg (beaten)
- 2 cups oat flour (blend rolled oats to make flour)
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Pulse the salmon (including the liquid) in a food processor until minced.
- Combine salmon, egg, and flour in a bowl to form a dough.
- Roll out to 1/4 inch thickness on a floured surface.
- Cut into small squares or use a tiny fish-shaped cutter.
- Bake for 20 minutes until crunchy. Cool completely.
2. Cheesy Chicken Bites
Best for: High Protein & Training
🍗 The Recipe
Ingredients:- 1 cup cooked chicken (shredded, plain)
- 1/4 cup unsalted chicken broth
- 1/2 cup whole wheat flour (or oat flour)
- 1 tbsp cheddar cheese (shredded)
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Blend chicken and broth until smooth-ish.
- Mix in flour and cheese.
- Knead dough and roll out.
- Cut into small bites.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
3. 3-Ingredient Tuna "Tumblers"
Best for: Easiest Recipe (Beginner Friendly)
🍣 The Recipe
Ingredients:- 1 can tuna in water (drained)
- 1 egg
- 1 cup oat flour
- *Optional: sprinkle of dried catnip
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Mix all ingredients in a bowl. (It will be sticky!)
- Roll into tiny, pea-sized balls.
- Place on parchment paper.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until firm.
4. Pumpkin & Turkey Soft Chews
Best for: Senior Cats & Digestion
🎃 The Recipe
Ingredients:- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree (pure pumpkin, NOT pie filling)
- 1/2 cup ground turkey (cooked) or baby food turkey
- 1 cup oat flour
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Mix pumpkin and turkey well.
- Add flour slowly until dough forms.
- Form into small soft balls or flatten slightly.
- Bake for 15 minutes. (These stay softer than the crunchies).
5. Frozen Yogurt "Paws"
Best for: Summer Days & Probiotics
❄️ The Recipe (No Bake!)
Ingredients:- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (unsweetened, no Xylitol)
- 1/2 banana (mashed) OR 1 tbsp tuna juice
- Mix yogurt with flavor choice (banana for sweet, tuna juice for savory).
- Pour into silicone ice cube mold (paw shape is cute!).
- Freeze for 2 hours.
- Pop out one treat on a hot day!
Storage & Shelf Life
- Counter: 2-3 days (only for crunchy treats)
- Refrigerator: 1 week (best for all treats)
- Freezer: 3 months (make a big batch!)
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular all-purpose flour?
Technically yes, but many cats digest wheat poorly. We recommend Oat Flour (which
you can make by blending dry oats) as it is naturally gluten-free and easier on kitty stomachs.
Why no milk in recipes?
Most adult cats are lactose intolerant! Cow's milk can cause diarrhea. That's why we
use Greek yogurt (lower lactose) or water/broth as liquids.
How many treats can I give per day?
Treats should be no more than 10% of their daily calories. For an average cat,
that's about 20-30 calories, which is roughly 2-3 of these homemade treats per day.
Can dogs eat these treats too?
Yes! All these ingredients are dog-safe (and human safe, though bland). If you have
a multi-pet household, feel free to share the batch.
My cat won't eat them. What now?
Cats are notoriously picky. Try adding a strong-smelling topper: sprinkle
"Nutritional Yeast" (cheesy flavor cats love) or crushed Bonito flakes on the treats before baking to
increase the aroma.
Post a Comment