If you want to make your pet some delicious treats but don’t know where to start you’re in luck! A lot of store-bought cat treats have additives and preservatives that aren’t healthy for cats. On top of that, a lot of human foods like garlic and chocolate can cause pet toxicity. That is why it is best to follow a pet-safe recipe when making treats for your cat. Here are five popular cat treat recipes you can follow to make tasty treats at home:
1. Chewy kitty treats
If you want to give your cat something to chew on, these treats are perfect for you! In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 large egg, a can of wet canned cat food, ¼ cup of chopped parsley, 2 teaspoons of olive oil, and 2 tablespoons of water. Add 1 cup of brown rice flour, ½ cup of cooked rice (brown or white), and optionally 1 tablespoon of catnip. Stir the mixture until it is thick and spreadable. Spread the mixture onto a baking sheet with parchment paper and create a rectangle that is about 1/3 of an inch thick. Preheat the oven to 325°F and bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Let the treats cool and then cut into small, bite sized pieces your cat is sure to love. This recipe makes around 50 cat treats.
2. Hairball control pumpkin treats
If your cat suffers from frequent hairballs, these treats are for you. In a medium bowl combine 1 brown egg, 1 ¼ cup of brown rice flour, ⅓ cup of canned pumpkin, 3 tablespoons of ground flax, 3 tablespoons of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of water, and optionally 1 tablespoon of catnip. Preheat your oven to 350°F and unwrap the dough and knead it a few times. roll dough out to 1/4” thickness onto parchment paper. Using a pizza cutter, cut narrow strips vertically and horizontally then transfer the treats to a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Remove the sheet from the oven and break up the treat grid. Spread bits around evenly and return to the oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Let the treats cool before serving. These treats can be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for 4 to 6 weeks or refrigerated for longer shelf-life. They can also last up to 3 months when frozen.
3. Grain-free crunchy tuna treats
If you want to make a healthy cat treat with no fillers, this recipe will help you do just that. In the bowl of a food processor, put in 2 cans of undrained tuna, ½ cup of cooked pumpkin, 3 egg yolks, 3 tablespoons of sea mineral powder (can substitute with parsley), and ½ a cup of coconut powder and process until it is finely ground. Scoop ¼ teaspoonfuls onto parchment lined baking sheets and press lightly to make a small disc shaped treat. Preheat the oven to 350°F and bake for 12 minutes or until the treats are golden brown. Flip the treats with a spatula and cook for 3-5 more minutes until that side is golden brown as well. Let the treats cool before serving them to your cat. You can store these treats in an airtight container for up to two weeks or longer if refrigerated.
4. Simple salmon treats
These salmon treats only have three ingredients in them, so not only are they simple to make, but they are healthy too! In a food processor place a can of undrained salmon and pulse to chop the salmon finley. In a stand mixer, place the chopped salmon, 1 egg, and some whole wheat flour until it forms a dough. On a floured surface, roll the dough out until it is a ¼ inch thick and cut into shapes (for fun you can cut them into a fish shape or hearts). Bake lightly at 350°F for around 20 minutes, until brown and crispy. Let them cool before serving. These treats will last for a few weeks if stored in an airtight container.
5. Organic spinach and chicken treats
These treats are great if you are looking for an organic option to feed your cat. Steam ½ pound of organic, boneless, and skinless chicken thighs until they are cooked through. Let the chicken cool down for 20 minutes. Feel free to substitute in chicken breast, salmon, or tuna if that is preferred. Place the cooled chicken, 1 cup of organic quick-cooking oats, 1 cup of organic spinach leaves, 1 organic brown egg, and 1 tablespoon of organic catnip into a blender or food processor. Pulse on low until everything blends together and the texture is chunky but smooth. Pour the mixture into a bowl and add 1⁄4 cup of flour and knead until it’s no longer a sticky texture. Using a rolling pin on a floured surface, create a rectangle of dough that is around ½ an inch thick and cut out shapes using a pizza or cookie cutter. Place the treats on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes at 350°F. Take them out of the oven and let them cool before serving.
