May 08, 2024

Treats for Cats: 12 Easy, Quick and Healthy Homemade Recipes

Golosinas para Gatos: 12 Recetas Caseras Fáciles, Rápidas y Saludables

We know how important it is to provide our feline friends with a balanced and nutritious diet like the barf diet or knowing exactly what cats eat , and what better way to complement it than with delicious snacks prepared with love at home. In this blog, we will present you with 12 cat treat recipes that are not only easy to make, but are also full of healthy ingredients that your kitty will love. From salmon balls to chicken liver bites, these homemade treats will satisfy your spoiled feline's most discerning tastes. So get ready to get into the kitchen and surprise your cat with these irresistible recipes!

Benefits of homemade cat treats

Giving homemade treats to cats can offer a number of benefits for their health and well-being since by making them yourself, you can include fresh and natural ingredients, which provides them with high-quality nutrients that may be missing in some commercial treats. Plus, by making treats at home, you can avoid artificial additives, preservatives, and other unwanted ingredients that can be harmful to your cat's health. This can help keep your digestive system in good condition and prevent long-term health problems. Lastly, offering homemade treats can strengthen the bond between you and your cat, as you are giving them something made with love and dedication.

While making homemade treats for your cat can be rewarding and fun, we understand that sometimes time can be limited. In those moments, you can always rely on Waggy's Awards , made with 100% natural and beneficial ingredients for your cat. Our treats are designed with your pet's health and well-being in mind, offering a delicious and nutritious option that your pet will surely love, as they are made with CBD for cats. With Waggy's, you can be sure you're giving your cat the best care possible, even on the busiest days.

12 Recipes for homemade cat snacks

Salmon and oatmeal balls

Ingredients: Canned salmon without salt, cooked oats, egg.

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 180°C and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mix the crumbled salmon, cooked oats and beaten egg in a bowl until well combined.
Form small balls with the mixture and place them on the baking sheet.
Bake for 10-15 minutes until golden and firm.
Let cool before giving them to your cat.

Chicken and pumpkin biscuits

Ingredients: Cooked and shredded chicken breast, pumpkin puree, whole wheat flour.

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 180°C and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mix together the shredded chicken breast, pumpkin puree, and enough whole wheat flour to form a firm dough.
Roll out the dough on a floured surface and cut it into small cookies with fun shapes.
Place the cookies on the baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden and crisp.
Let cool completely before offering them to your cat.

Baked chicken liver pieces

Ingredients: Chicken liver, olive oil.

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 180°C and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Cut the chicken liver into small pieces and place them on the baking sheet.
Drizzle the liver pieces with a little olive oil.
Bake for 10-15 minutes or until cooked through.
Let cool before serving.

Fish sticks

Ingredients: Fish fillets (such as salmon or cod).

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 180°C and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Cut the fish fillets into long, thin strips.
Place the fish strips on the baking sheet.
Bake for 10-15 minutes or until dry and crisp.
Let it cool before giving it to your cat.

Tuna and cheese bites

Ingredients: Canned tuna in water, cream cheese.

Preparation:

Mix the drained tuna with the cream cheese in a bowl until you obtain a smooth and homogeneous mixture.
Form small balls with the mixture and place them on a plate.
Refrigerate the balls for 30 minutes to harden.
Offer the snacks to your cat as a reward or treat.

Meat and carrot balls

Ingredients: Ground meat (chicken, beef, turkey), grated carrot.

Preparation:

Mix the ground beef with the grated carrot in a bowl until well combined.
Form small balls with the mixture and place them on a plate.
Steam or boil the dumplings until they are completely cooked.
Let cool before serving.

Steamed chicken breast pieces

Ingredients: Chicken breast.

Preparation:

Cut the chicken breast into small pieces.
Steam the chicken pieces until they are cooked through.
Let cool before serving.

Pumpkin and salmon puree

Ingredients: Pumpkin puree, cooked salmon.

Preparation:

Mix the pumpkin puree with the cooked salmon in a bowl until smooth.
Place small portions of the mixture in an ice tray and freeze.
Once frozen, remove the cubes and store them in an airtight bag in the freezer.
Offer the pumpkin and salmon puree cubes to your cat as a refreshing treat.

Beef liver cookies

Ingredients: Beef liver, whole wheat flour.

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 180°C and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mix the cooked and ground beef liver with enough whole wheat flour to form a firm dough.
Roll out the dough on a floured surface and cut it into small cookies with fun shapes.
Place the cookies on the baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden and crisp.
Let cool completely before offering them to your cat.

Chicken and cheese balls

Ingredients: Cooked and shredded chicken, grated cheese.

Preparation:

Mix the shredded chicken and grated cheese in a bowl until well combined.
Form small balls with the mixture and place them on a plate.
Refrigerate the balls for 30 minutes to harden.
Offer the chicken and cheese balls to your cat as a reward or treat.

Baked salmon cubes

Ingredients: Fresh salmon.

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 180°C and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Cut the salmon into small cubes.
Place the salmon cubes on the baking sheet.
Bake for 10-15 minutes or until cooked through.
Let cool before serving.

Chicken Liver and Oatmeal Bites

Ingredients: Cooked and crushed chicken liver, cooked oats.

Preparation:

Mix the crushed chicken liver with the cooked oats in a bowl until you obtain a homogeneous mixture.
Form small balls with the mixture and place them on a plate.
Refrigerate the balls for 30 minutes to harden.
Offer the chicken liver and oatmeal bites to your cat as a reward or treat.

What should you avoid using in cat treats?

When it comes to treats for fat cats , it is important to avoid certain ingredients and additives that can be harmful to your feline's health, such as:

Toxic ingredients for cats: Foods such as chocolate, onion, garlic, grapes, raisins and avocado. You should never give treats containing these ingredients to your cat.
Sugar and artificial sweeteners:
Cats do not need sugar in their diet and artificial sweeteners like xylitol can be toxic to them. Avoid treats that contain added sugars or artificial sweeteners.
Artificial colors and flavors: Artificial colors and flavors may not only be unnecessary, but also potentially harmful to your cat's health.
Preservatives and chemical additives: Avoid treats that contain artificial preservatives and chemical additives, such as BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin. These can have negative long-term health effects.
Grains and by-products of low nutritional value: Some cat treats may contain grains such as corn, wheat or soy, as well as low-quality meat by-products.

Tips for preparing cat snacks

Before you start making homemade snacks for your cat, it's important to talk to your veterinarian to make sure the ingredients and recipes are appropriate for your pet's individual dietary needs.
Opt for fresh, high-quality ingredients. Some popular options include lean meats such as chicken, turkey or salmon, chicken or beef liver, canned unsalted tuna, and boiled eggs. You can also include vegetables such as pumpkin or carrot, or fresh herbs such as parsley or catnip.
Be sure to thoroughly cook any meat or fish you use in recipes to avoid the risk of bacterial contamination. Avoid adding salt or other seasonings that may be harmful to your cat.
Some cats prefer certain textures over others. Experiment with different cooking methods (boiled, roasted, steamed) and consistencies (small pieces, puree) to find what your cat likes best.
If you make a large batch of homemade snacks, be sure to store them correctly to maintain their freshness. You can refrigerate them in airtight containers for a short period of time or freeze them in individual portions for later use.
To keep your cat interested and provide a variety of nutrients, don't hesitate to experiment with different recipes and ingredients.

Conclusion

In conclusion, offering homemade snacks to your cat can be a wonderful way to show your love and care while providing healthy and nutritious food. These recipes are not only easy to prepare, but they also allow you to control the ingredients and avoid unwanted additives and preservatives. In addition, preparing treats at home can strengthen the bond between you and your pet, creating special moments of complicity and enjoyment together.