Nothing Beats Homemade Treats
Making homemade cat treats for your kitty is a cost-effective and healthy alternative to store-bought treats. Store-bought treats often contain unhealthy ingredients, artificial colors, and preservatives and lack the necessary nutrition that cats need.
With homemade treats, you have peace of mind knowing what goes into your kitty’s treats. You can choose organic, fresh ingredients to treat your pet the healthiest possible treat. In addition, preparing these treats is an enjoyable activity, and you have unlimited opportunities to try experimenting with different flavors and shapes!
Here are some of our favorite DIY treats for cats recipes to get you started.
1. Salmon Treat Recipe
This delicious and nutritious treat for cats is easy to make, requires only a few ingredients, and is filled with key vitamins and minerals essential for cats’ health.
The Omega 3 fatty acids from the wild-caught salmon help keep their skin and coat healthy, and carbohydrates from oats, quinoa, or rice provide energy. In addition, beta-carotene is a powerful antioxidant that can boost the immune system and eye health, and vitamin C from the zucchini helps boost immunity.
Ingredients needed:
- 1 can of wild-caught salmon (or two if you want to double the recipe).
- ½ cup of cooked oats (or quinoa/rice).
- 2 tablespoons of grated carrot.
- 2 tablespoons of grated zucchini.
- 2 tablespoons of parsley.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Drain the canned salmon and empty it into a bowl.
- Using a fork or spoon, flake the salmon into small pieces.
- Add all other ingredients listed above into the bowl with t salmon and mix together until thoroughly combined.
- Place the mixture onto an ungreased baking sheet in small spoonfuls, ensuring each piece has enough space around it so they do not touch each other while baking.
- Bake for 15 minutes or until lightly browned on top.
- Allow treats to cool before serving them as a special snack for your kitty!
2. Tuna Treats
Tuna treats are a super easy DIY treats for cats that can be a supplement to your cat’s diet. Keep in mind that while it is a snack, it is no substitute for proper cat food that is nutritionally balanced.
Ingredients needed:
- One can of tuna in water.
- Two tablespoons of plain yogurt.
Once you have all the ingredients on hand, making the tuna treat is a breeze. First, drain the can of tuna and place it into a bowl.
Then add two tablespoons of plain yogurt and mix them until they form a paste-like consistency. Lastly, spoon out individual portions onto wax paper or parchment paper—and voila!
When feeding your cat this special treat, do so in moderation since cats are carnivores and cannot digest large amounts of dairy products like humans. Instead, give them one tablespoon per day as an occasional snack or reward. Also, ensure you keep any leftover treats refrigerated if you have any left after serving them to your pet.
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3. Cheesy Cat Treats
Another fish-based treat that cats go crazy for is a simple snack that is a breeze to make.
Ingredients:
- Grated cheese.
- 1 egg.
- 1 tablespoon of healthy oil like olive.
- ½ cup of wheat germ.
Directions:
- Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix.
- Roll the mixture onto a flat surface and cut it into desired shapes with a cookie cutter or knife.
- Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes or until golden brown on top, and let cool before serving to your furry friend!
4. Sardine and Flax Seed Catnip Treats
This healthy and delicious snack is always such a hit with cats. To make them, mix half a can of sardines, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, ¼ cup of flax seeds, and ¾ cup of catnip.
Put the mixture in an oven preheated to 350 degrees and bake for about 15-20 minutes. Allow the treats to cool completely before serving.
Not only is it yummy for felines, but your cats will benefit from the omega-3 fatty acids found in sardines and the antioxidants from the catnip.
5. Carrot and Catnip Treats
This homemade treat combines the health benefits of carrots with the irresistible appeal of premium quality catnip to create a snack your kitty won't be able to resist.
All you need is a grated carrot, flour, salt, and either fresh or dried catnip. Mix it all into a dough, roll it out, and use cookie cutters to shape them before baking them in the oven.
These tasty morsels are sure to please cats of every age and make excellent rewards for good behavior.
Final Thoughts
Store-bought cat treats may be convenient sometimes, but nothing beats a good old-fashioned snack made with plenty of love.
These homemade cat treat recipes taste great and are packed with nutrients, so you can feel good about giving them as occasional treats without guilt. Just make sure not to overdo it, as cats should stick mostly to their normal diet routine instead of snacking all day long.
With these easy-to-make DIY treats for cats, you can now provide something special for your beloved kitty without having to break the bank by buying expensive store-bought treats every time they meow for more!