Cat treats that are homemade will always contain some special ingredient you can't buy from a pet store - and that's lots of love and affection. So dust off on your chef's hat, tie up those apron strings, and let's get cooking!
What are some healthy homemade treats for cats?
One of the best things about making cat treats is that you'll always know what goes in them! This means you can make kitty snacks that are yummy and healthy. Opt for fresh and organic ingredients. These are usually a bit more expensive, but they don't contain many of the additives and preservatives found in processed or frozen foods. Research has linked many of these preservatives to serious health issues, including obesity and even some cancers.
Can I make homemade cat treats?
Of course you can! Homemade cat treats don't need to contain loads of ingredients, and you only need some very basic culinary skills to whip up something special for your favourite furry pal!
What are some easy recipes for homemade cat treats?
Most kitties love Tuna, making it a perfect base for some delicious and health-conscious homemade cat treats. Here's a really straightforward recipe for some Tuna flavour cat cookies!
Ingredients:
- 1 or 2 cans of fresh salmon
- 1 egg
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- A cookie-cutter (preferably in a fish shape!)
Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°. Put the salmon through a food processor for a few minutes, then chop up as finely as possible
- Beat one egg, then gradually add the tuna and two cups of flour. Add 1/3 cup of water then mix into a dough. The dough shouldn't be too wet or tacky, so add a bit more flour if needed
- Roll the dough on a flat surface until it’s between 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Use the cutter to separate each cookie or use a knife to cut them into whatever shape you car prefers!
- Place the cookies on a baking sheet and then bake at 350° for 15 minutes. You'll know the cookies are ready when they start to brown and have a crispy texture
- Cool completely before serving
What are some great cat treats?
Cats are obligate carnivores. This means they need to eat lots of meat to stay healthy. Meat is packed with protein and a bunch of essential nutrients, including taurine, arginine, and niacin. One of the best protein sources for cats is turkey meat. It's full of all that good stuff and also really low in fat. Here's a delicious and easy to make-recipe for some tasty turkey meatballs!
Ingredients:
- 1/2 pound of turkey mince
- 1/2 cup carrots (grated)
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup finely crushed crackers
- 1/4 cup powdered milk
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon of yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°
- Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl, mushing it all together with our hands
- Shape into individual meatballs, then arrange them on a non-stick baking pan
- Bake for around 15 minutes or until the balls are nicely browned, making sure they're cooked all the way through
- Cool completely before serving
Rustling up some homemade cat treats can be lots of fun! If you've got small children, get them to help you mix and bake, then you can all watch kitty enjoy their tasty treats. Alternatively, get together with you some other cat mums and cat dads and spend an afternoon seeing who can come up with the best kitty bites.
You could even have a feline version of Masterchef. Layout a few of the homemade treats for the cats, then see which ones they enjoy the most - just don't get to upset if your little guy goes for someone else's treat before yours!
