You can pamper your kitty and be creative in the kitchen at the same time when you use homemade cat treat recipes to cook up something tasty. From catnip biscuits to holiday turkey balls and even frozen pawpsicles, these recipes will help you make your own irresistible treats with clean, healthy ingredients. So show your kitty how special they are by whipping up a batch (or two.)
Always remember to speak with your veterinarian before adding anything new to your cat's diet and limit treats to less than 10% of your cat's daily caloric intake.
1. How to Prepare Salmon Cat Treats
Salmon is a great source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These are beneficial for feline skin health, their joints, brain, heart, and more. Cook up some treats that are as good for your cat's body as they are delicious with with salmon cat treat recipe.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup plain, cooked salmon (with no added oil)
- 1/4 cup cooked sweet potato
- 2 tablespoons almond flour
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Mash the sweet potato, then combine with the salmon and almond flour until well incorporated.
- Using two spoons or a small cookie scoop, create balls and place them about one-inch apart on a non-stick cookie sheet.
- Cook in the oven at 350 degrees F for approximately 15 minutes.
- Cool completely before serving to your cat.
2. DIY Turkey Cat Treats
These kitty turkey balls are basically the feline equivalent of meatballs. Just make sure you hold the spaghetti and serve these à la cart. Your cat will find this tasty treat recipe difficult to resist!
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound ground turkey
- 1/2 cup grated carrots
- 1/2 cup finely crushed cat food or oat flour
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon brewer's yeast
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Using your hands, as you would when making meatloaf, mix all ingredients together in a large bowl until well combined.
- Shape the mixture into small, individual nuggets, and arrange them in a non-stick baking pan.
- Bake for approximately 20 minutes until the balls are nicely browned and reach an internal temperature of at least 160 degrees F.
- Cool before serving. Freeze the leftover balls and reheat in the microwave as needed.
3. Catnip Treat Recipe
Did you know that most cats react differently to catnip when they ingest it? It makes them kind of sleepy and mellow rather than hyperactive. Bake some of these snacks and offer your kitty one whenever you think they need a little "catnip and chill" time.
Don't worry, this herb isn't additive to cats! Learn more about how and why cats react to catnip.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil or coconut oil
- 1 egg white from a large egg
- 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon fresh chopped catnip or 1/2 teaspoon dried catnip
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Combine the oil and egg white until well blended.
- In a separate bowl, combine flour and catnip.
- Add the flour mixture slowly to the first two ingredients, mixing until a soft dough ball is formed.
- Separate into 1/2-inch pieces and roll by hand into small balls. Place the balls on an ungreased cookie sheet, and bake at 300 degrees F for approximately 25 minutes.
- Cool completely before serving. It should yield about 12 balls.
4. Kitty Bruschetta Recipe
Your cats are sure to love the flavor of this quick and easy treat. The recipe is small, so you can make it fresh anytime you want to give your pets something special.
Ingredients
- 1 slice of bread
- Fish oil
- Dried fish flakes
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Lightly toast one piece of bread in the toaster.
- Cut the toast into one-inch cubes.
- Brush the tops of the cubes with a little fresh fish oil.
- Lightly sprinkle the cubes with dried fish flakes.
- Bake in an oven or toaster oven at 350 degrees F until the cubes are a rich golden brown.
- Allow to cool slightly and serve warm.
5. Homemade Cat Treats for Special Diets
Does your cat eat a special canned food diet? If so, you can make simple cookies from canned food, though the food does need to be a pate for this recipe to work.
Ingredients
- 1 can of cat food
Instructions
- Slide the food from the can in one piece. This is sometimes easier if you remove both the top and bottom of the can, and gently push the contents out.
- Next, cut into 1/4-inch slices using a sharp knife or cheese slicer.
- Lay the slices about 1/2-inch apart on a cookie sheet, and bake at 325 degrees in the oven until crispy.
- Once cooled, serve these tasty cookies to your pet. They will keep a week or two in an air-tight container stored in a refrigerator.
6. DIY Cat Tuna Ball Treats
What cat doesn't enjoy a little tuna now and then? This quick recipe will give your pet plenty of tasty tuna treats to enjoy for several weeks if stored in an air-tight container in a cool place.
Make sure to speak to your veterinarian about portion control for any canned tuna treats. Canned tuna is high is sodium, so too much can lead to salt toxicity.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup of whole-wheat flour
- 1/2 cup of tuna in water
- 1 large beaten egg
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Grease a cookie sheet with margarine or use one lined with a silicone sheet.
- In a bowl, combine the tuna and egg together, mashing the tuna until it is no longer chunky.
- Add the tuna mixture to the flour.
- Using two spoons or a small cookie scoop, create balls and place them about one-inch apart on a non-stick cookie sheet.
- Cook in the oven at 350 degrees F for approximately 25 minutes.
- Cool the treats completely before serving.
Variations
Substitute pureed, cooked chicken for the tuna.
7. Making Chicken and Pumpkin Cat Treats
Pumpkin isn't just reserved for the holidays. This fiber-packed food can be used in recipes year-round! Add in some lean chicken for protein and a bit of almond flour to keep it all together, and you have yourself a very easy cat treat.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup plain cooked chicken
- 2 tablespoons canned plain pumpkin
- 1/4 cup almond flour
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Shred the chicken, then combine with the pumpkin and almond flour until well incorporated.
- Shape the mixture into small treats and place them about one-inch apart on a non-stick cookie sheet.
- Cook in the oven at 350 degrees F for approximately 15 minutes.
- Cool completely before serving to your cat.
8. Chicken Cat Paw-sicle Recipe
Make a cool summer treat for your cat that's easy and tasty. This recipe requires only one ingredient, though it does take some planning because you need to freeze the pops. Try it out and see how your cat likes them.
Ingredients
- Low-sodium chicken broth (IMPORTANT: make sure it's without garlic or onions)
Instructions
- Pour your chicken broth into an ice cube tray.
- Allow it to freeze overnight or until solid.
- Remove a broth pop and give it a quick rinse with water before serving. Place it in a bowl or shallow dish and let your cat enjoy.
9. Crunchy Dehydrated Tuna Treats
If you have a dehydrator, you can make your own fancy dehydrated fish treats for a fraction of the cost. And the best part is, you know exactly what's going into them. Follow this easy recipe to get started.
Enjoy Baking Treats for Your Cat
While these recipes for baking cat treats provide healthy snacks, they are just that — snacks. They shouldn't be used as a substitute for a regular balanced diet. Instead, give your cat only a few treats each day during training sessions or as a reward. Baking for your pet can be a real pleasure, and your cat will surely appreciate the special treatment.
