If you have a cat, you probably know the benefits of having a few cat treats on hand. Treats are useful for a number of reasons, including training, comforting your cat, and distracting him from scratching your furniture.
Cat treats can be purchased at most convenience stores. But if y
ou really want to treat your cat, get out your apron and try some homemade cat treats. They’ll save you money, and they’re healthier as you have more control over what ingredients are used. Furthermore, the smell of baking is sure to attract a hungry cat, who will be so preoccupied with watching you make his cat treats that he’ll have less time to scratch your sofa.
With that in mind, here are a few examples of homemade cat treats. These treats will generally be bite-sized, easy to store, and infused with flavors that appeal to cats. They’re also free of ingredients that could be potentially harmful to felines. Speaking of which, you should familiarize yourself with the foods that are harmful to cats so you don’t accidentally contaminate your homemade cat treats.
Five Great Recipes for Homemade Cat Treats
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Tuna catnip cat treats
Cats love catnip and they love tuna, so you can combine both for a lip-licking treat. Remember, tuna isn’t very good for cats. So make sure that you buy unsalted tuna in water and rinse it thoroughly before you to use it. Add one tin of tuna to a heaped tablespoon of catnip, a cup of oat flour, a tablespoon of olive and one egg to form a doughy mixture. Cut the dough into bite-sized cookies and bake in an over at 350°F for 10 -12 minutes.
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Spinach, chicken and catnip treats
This is an extremely healthy treat containing a strong balance of low-fat protein, fiber and greens. Steam some skinless and boneless chicken thighs until cooked through, and add to a blender along with spinach leaves, oats, eggs and catnip.
Pulse on low until mixture is smooth (but still a bit chunky), pour into a bowl and add flour and some salt or sugar. Knead the dough until no longer sticky, move onto a flour-dusted work surface and roll it into a rectangle about ½ an inch thick. Cut into cookie shapes, put on an oven tray and bake for 20 minutes at 350ºF. Remove from oven and wait until it’s at room temperature before feeding to your cat.
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Tuna balls
Remember to follow the same steps for the tuna as in the catnip treat. Mix the rinsed tuna with ½ a cup of boiled rice, ¼ cup of pureed chicken and 2-3 springs of chopped parsley together in a bowl and dividing it into 6-7 balls or patties. Store in the fridge and serve at room temperature. You can even freeze the drained off spring water in an ice tray and give your cats some tuna-flavored ice cubes to chew on during hot days.
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Fish-flavored bruschetta
Your pet goldfish will be relieved to know your cat has something else to satisfy her fish fix. To make this Italian-style cat treat, lightly toast some bread and cut it into cubes. Brush the cubes with fish or krill oil, and grill on low-heat until golden brown. You can even sprinkle a few tuna flakes on top.
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Catnip cookies
These cookies may not contain any sugar, but that doesn’t make any difference to a cat, and catnip is just as good. Combine 3 cups of wholegrain flour, 1/3 cup of olive oil, 1 egg, 1 cup of water or dairy-free milk and a cup of chopped catnip in a bowl to form a dough, roll the dough out and cut into desired shapes, and bake for 20-25 minutes at 180°c.
Bear in mind that although homemade cat treats are healthy, you still don’t want to overdo it. Cat treats should make up no more than 10% of your pet’s calorie intake. The recommended dosage is 1 or 2 treats at a time, two or three times a week. Stick to those guidelines and you should be able to provide your cat with some diversity in his diet, without upsetting the balance of nutrients required for a healthy and happy kitty.