12 Easy-to-Make Homemade Cat Treats
You could give your cat store-bought snacks, but why not take it up a notch and treat them to homemade, fresh, and healthy cat treats?
Homemade cat treats are not only a great way to show your furry friend some love, but they’re also a chance to control exactly what goes into the treats. No artificial preservatives, fillers, or questionable ingredients—just wholesome goodness that benefits your cat’s health.
Why Homemade Treats Are Important for Your Cat
Homemade treats for your cat offer a multitude of benefits, from better nutrition to preventing allergies and ensuring your feline stays healthy. Here’s why whipping up treats in your own kitchen is so important:
Nutritional Control
When you make treats at home, you have full control over the ingredients. Many store-bought treats contain unnecessary fillers, preservatives, and artificial ingredients.
By making your own, you ensure that your cat is getting high-quality, wholesome ingredients, like lean proteins and healthy fats, without the added chemicals that can negatively affect their health.
Tailored to Your Cat’s Needs
Cats can have specific dietary restrictions or sensitivities. Homemade treats allow you to cater to these needs, whether your cat is allergic to certain ingredients or requires a grain-free diet.
For example, making treats with hypoallergenic ingredients like duck and peas helps avoid common allergens found in many commercial treats.
Fresh and Safe
Store-bought treats can sit on shelves for months and even years before they reach your cat. Homemade treats are made fresh, ensuring they are free from harmful preservatives and additives.
You can be sure that your treats are as nutritious and tasty as possible, giving your cat the best quality snack.
Better Portion and Calorie Control
Overfeeding is a common concern with store-bought treats, which are often high in calories and fat.
With homemade treats, you can control the portion size and adjust the ingredients to ensure your cat gets a healthy amount without risking obesity.
Bonding and Enrichment
Making treats at home is also a fun and enriching activity. Cats love receiving treats during playtime or training sessions, and homemade treats can be part of interactive games that provide mental stimulation.
Plus, it’s a great way to bond with your furry friends while giving them something special.
12 Homemade Treats for Your Cat
Whether you want to spoil your kitty or provide a nutritious snack, these 12 easy-to-make recipes will have your cat purring with joy and you feeling good about what you’re feeding them.
These recipes focus on natural ingredients to ensure your cat’s health and happiness.
1. Beef Liver Chips
This treat is a nutritional powerhouse for your cat. The liver is packed with iron, vitamin A, and essential amino acids that support healthy vision, a strong immune system, and overall vitality.
- Ingredients: Fresh beef liver.
- Steps: Thinly slice the liver, place it on a baking sheet, and bake at 200°F (95°C) for 2-3 hours until fully dried. Store in an airtight container.
These chips are a natural, single-ingredient treat perfect for your carnivorous cats.
2. Chicken and Catnip Bites
If your cat loves chicken, this treat will be a hit! Chicken provides lean protein for muscle maintenance, and catnip adds an irresistible aroma that makes training easier.
- Ingredients: Cooked shredded chicken, oat flour, egg, and dried catnip.
- Steps: Blend all ingredients into a dough, shape into small balls, and bake at 350°F for 10-15 minutes until firm.
This combination promotes healthy energy levels while satisfying your cat’s playful side.
3. Tuna and Pumpkin Chews
This recipe combines tuna, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, with pumpkin, which is great for your cat’s digestion. It’s a wholesome, balanced treat for cats with sensitive tummies.
- Ingredients: Canned tuna (in water), pureed pumpkin, oat flour, and an egg.
- Steps: Mix the ingredients, shape into small discs, and bake at 350°F for 15 minutes.
These chews support coat health and digestion, making them a thoughtful snack choice.
4. Salmon and Sweet Potato Crunchies
Salmon provides your cat with essential fatty acids, while sweet potatoes offer fiber and vitamin A, supporting healthy digestion and immune function.
- Ingredients: Cooked salmon, mashed sweet potato, and oat flour.
- Steps: Mash all the ingredients, form into small discs, and bake at 325°F for 20 minutes until crunchy.
These treats are perfect for your cat if they need extra hydration and nutrients.
5. Turkey and Rice Bites
For a lean protein option, turkey is a great choice. When paired with rice, it’s gentle on your cat’s stomach and provides energy.
- Ingredients: Ground turkey, cooked rice, and oat flour.
- Steps: Combine the ingredients, shape into small patties, and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes.
These are especially useful if your cat has food sensitivities to chicken.
6. Cheesy Catnip Nibbles
If your cat loves cheese, they will adore this! Cheese offers a small calcium boost, and catnip makes the treat irresistible.
- Ingredients: Grated cheese, oat flour, dried catnip, and a little water.
- Steps: Mix into a dough, shape into tiny squares, and bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes.
This treat is perfect for an occasional indulgence during playtime.
7. Fishy Oatmeal Squares
This treat combines the hearty goodness of oatmeal with the irresistible flavor of fish. Oats are a great source of fiber, while fish offers omega-3s for healthy skin and fur.
- Ingredients: Canned tuna (in water), cooked oatmeal, and an egg.
- Steps: Blend the ingredients into a dough, spread it thinly on a baking sheet, and bake at 325°F (160°C) for 20 minutes. Once cooled, cut into small squares.
These squares are perfect for older cats or those needing a softer snack.
8. Duck and Pea Bites
If your cat has food sensitivities, duck is an excellent alternative protein, and peas are a natural source of vitamins.
- Ingredients: Ground duck, mashed peas, and oat flour.
- Steps: Mix all ingredients, form into tiny patties, and bake at 350°F for 15 minutes.
These treats are hypoallergenic and highly nutritious, great for cats with dietary restrictions.
9. Pumpkin and Carrot Crunchies
These veggie-packed treats are ideal for boosting your cat’s fiber intake. Pumpkin supports digestion, while carrots provide beta-carotene for healthy eyes.
- Ingredients: Mashed pumpkin, grated carrot, oat flour, and egg.
- Steps: Mix ingredients into a dough, roll out, and cut into shapes. Bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes.
Your cat will enjoy the crunch, and you’ll love the added health benefits.
10. Chewy Sardine Sticks
For a fishy treat that’s high in protein and omega-3s, sardines are a fantastic option. These sticks are chewy, flavorful, and packed with nutrients.
- Ingredients: Sardines in water, oat flour, and a small amount of parsley (optional).
- Steps: Blend sardines into a paste, mix with flour, and shape into sticks. Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes until firm.
These treats are particularly good for promoting a healthy coat and joint health.
11. Egg and Catnip Delights
Eggs are an excellent source of protein, and catnip makes these treats a light snack.
- Ingredients: Boiled egg (mashed), oat flour, and dried catnip.
- Steps: Mix everything together, form small balls, and bake at 350°F for 10 minutes.
These treats are quick to prepare and perfect for rewarding good behavior during training.
12. Yogurt and Banana Drops
For a cool, creamy treat, this one’s a winner! Yogurt provides probiotics for digestive health, while bananas are full of potassium.
- Ingredients: Plain, unsweetened yogurt and mashed ripe banana.
- Steps: Mix the ingredients, spoon small drops onto a parchment-lined tray, and freeze until solid.
These frozen treats are ideal for hot days and help keep your cat hydrated.
Caring for Your Cat Made Simple with Truffle Paws
Helping your cat maintain a healthy weight is an act of love and care. By making wholesome homemade treats, you’re supporting their health while enjoying pet parenthood.
At Truffle Paws, we understand the challenges of caring for your furry friend, which is why we’ve created simple and reliable coverage designed to give you peace of mind.
With straightforward policies and fast service, you can focus on what truly matters—creating lasting memories with your cat. Contact us today and ensure your cat’s journey to health is safe and successful.
