You love to pamper your cat. You let him snuggle on your lap, you know how exactly where he likes to be scratched under his chin, you bathe him with natural cat shampoo and you indulge him with treats. Giving your cat too much to eat can contribute to obesity and health problems. These recipes for DIY cat treats are healthy when they’re given in moderation.
Foods To Avoid Feeding Your Cat
If you’re making DIY cat treats, you should avoid using some ingredients that are problematic for felines. Even one tablespoon of alcohol can be bad for your kitty’s health. Because alcohol is found in many extracts that are used to flavor baked goods, you don’t want to use those.
Chocolate is also dangerous. The dark kind is especially toxic to cats. So are grapes and raisins. If you’re making cat “cookies,” keep them savory and don’t worry about adding these dangerous extras.
Raw meat or fish can contain parasites or bacteria. Cook meat before offering it to your little guy.
Many cats are lactose intolerant. If you use a small amount of milk as a binder in cat treat recipes, it might not pose an issue. However, cheese-heavy recipes might not suit your pet.
You don’t need fancy cat treat recipes to spoil your cat. Small pieces of fish, egg, chicken and liver are tasty and don’t take long to prepare.
Cat Treat Recipes
Making your own cat treats doesn’t have to be complicated. Putting together a few natural ingredients can result in delicious luxuries that your cat will love.
Tuna Treats
Ingredients:
- 1 can tuna
- 1 egg
- 1 ¼ cups flour
- ½ cup water
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350. Mix the ingredients in a food processor until it forms a sticky dough. Roll the dough out on a floured surface to about 1/2–inch thick. Use a sharp knife or a pizza cutter to cut the dough into 1-inch pieces. Place them on parchment paper on a cookie sheet, and bake them for about 20 minutes.
Catnip Sprinkles
Ingredients:
- ½ pound ground beef
- 1 egg
- 1 TBSP catnip
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375. Line a cookie sheet with foil. Combine the ingredients in a large bowl and mix them thoroughly with your hands. Spread the mixture out on the cookie sheet, and bake it for 7 to 10 minutes. Crumble it and store it in the fridge for up to four days. Sprinkle it over food or offer it alone as a special treat.
Pumpkin-Turkey Jerky
Ingredients:
- ½ pound ground turkey
- ¼ cup plain pureed pumpkin
- ½ TBSP catnip
Directions:
Preheat the oven to the lowest setting. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl or food processor. Spread the meat mixture onto a cookie sheet in small circles or strips. Flatten them out to a 1/8-inch thickness. Place the jerky in the oven for 3 to 4 hours, leaving the door open. The treats are ready when they’re completely dehydrated.
Even though you want to give your cat the best, don’t overdo it. You may want to reduce the amount of food that you offer on the days that you feed your pet these goodies. You can also show your feline your love with a good brushing, a warm bath with natural cat shampoo and lots of affection.
