Recipes for Home-Made Cat Treats
Healthy Cooking for Cats – How to Make Snacks for Felines
Here are some cat-pleasing recipes that are quick and easy to make. All of these treats should be cooled on cooling racks after baking and then stored in sealed containers in the refrigerator.
Mackerel Cat Treats
The Kathleen C. Cailloux Humane Society of Kerrville, Texas, offers the following cat treat recipe:
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup canned mackerel, drained and crumbled
- 1 cup whole grain bread crumbs
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil or bacon grease
- 1/2 tsp brewer’s yeast (optional)
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 F and grease a cookie sheet. Mix all ingredients together and then drop 1/4-teaspoon blobs on the prepared cookie sheet. Bake for about 8 minutes.
Tuna Treats for Cats
The Houston SPCA offers this recipe for yummy tuna squares:
Ingredients
- 1 8oz. can tuna in oil
- 2 cups cornmeal
- 2 cups flour
- 3/4 cup water
- 2/3 cup oil
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 F and grease a cookie sheet. Mix ingredients just until combined, and on a floured surface, roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut dough into small squares, place squares on the prepared baking sheet, and bake for 25-30 minutes.
Sardine Cat Treats
The SPCA Serving Erie County, New York, provides the following recipe for sardine snacks:
Ingredients
- 1 can sardines, packed in olive oil
- 1 cup whole grain bread crumbs
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/2 teaspoon brewer’s yeast (optional)
Directions
Preheat oven to 325 F and grease a cookie sheet. Dump sardines into a bowl and mash up with a fork. Add remaining ingredients, mix well, and drop by ¼ teaspoon onto prepared cookie sheet. Bake for about 7 minutes.
Cat Treat Tips
When giving cats treats, keep the following in mind:
- Avoid adding toxic foods – if unsure about particular ingredients, see the list of foods that are toxic to cats and dogs.
- People foods should be given in moderation – for example, canned tuna is a nice treat but shouldn’t be fed to cats every day because it doesn’t contain the full spectrum of vitamins and minerals they require.
- Avoid feeding too many high-carbohydrate foods, as a high-carb diet can cause a variety of health problems for cats. Use carbohydrate-rich treats sparingly, and feed a premium, high-protein cat food daily.
- Many cats are lactose intolerant, so although milk isn’t considered toxic, it may cause diarrhea. Whiskas Cat Milk can be provided as a treat in place of cow’s milk for lactose-intolerant cats.
- Catnip on its own makes a great treat. It’s safe and non-addictive, and can be grown indoors.
- Cat treats don’t need to be fancy – cooking up a little fish, egg, or liver can make a cat very happy.
References:
- Fries, W.C. (29 June 2009). “Cat Treats and Snacks: What’s Healthy?” Pets.WebMD.com.
- The Houston SPCA. (n.d.). “Cat Treat Recipes.” HoustonSPCA.org.
- The Kathleen C. Cailoux Humane Society of Kerrville, Texas. (n.d.). “Treat Recipes for Dogs & Cats. HumaneSocietyofKerville.org.
- The SPCA Serving Erie County. “Cat Treats.” Kids Fundraising Manual. YourSPCA.org.YourSPCA.org.
Most Cats Appreciate Home-Made Cat Treats
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