3 Healthy Cat Treat Recipes You Can Make At Home

If you can cook for yourself, you can cook for your cat. These three recipes are easy to make, can be tightly covered and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week, and will make your cat come running when you say the magic word, “Treat!”

Kitty Nibbles could not be simpler, requiring only a can of cat food and an oven.

Tuna Treats require a tiny bit more kitchen confidence, about what you need to make cookies.

Cheesy Homemade Cat Treats are baked bits that are crunchy on the outside, chewy in the middle, and not just for pets, so make plenty.

Homemade Cat Treat Recipes

The Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University has some tips for wisely choosing cat treats, which should only make up a small part of your cat’s diet.

Here are some things to consider.

Cat Treats Should

• Be fully cooked
• Be low in calories
• Be provided in small amounts

Cat Treats Should Not

• Be raw
• Be freeze-dried
• Contain sugar

Kitty Nibbles

The idea of cooking cat food in the oven may be alien at first, but these tiny bites can be enjoyed by your cat for up to a week, instead of one sitting. Select a flavor that you do not give your cat every day to provide some variety.

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Empty contents of one can of cat food onto a cutting surface. It should be in the shape of the can.
3. Cut ¼ inch slices. Cut into bite-sized pieces.
4. Place pieces on the ungreased baking sheet and cook for 30 minutes or until crispy.
5. Cool thoroughly before feeding your cat.

Tuna Treats

There is nothing here that humans cannot eat. We usually think of sweet baked treats, but your cat does not need sugar.

• 1 4-oz can of tuna in water, drained
• ¼ cup tuna water. Use what was drained from the can, add tap water or filtered water to reach ¼ cup.
• 2 cooked egg whites, chopped
• ¼ cup cornmeal
• ½ cup whole wheat

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Combine all ingredients to make a sticky dough
3. On lightly floured surface, knead to form a ball
4. Roll dough to ¼ inch thick
5. Cut dough into bite-size rectangles
6. Place all treats on a greased baking sheet and cook 15-20 minutes until lightly browned. Cool to room temperature before serving.

Cheesy Homemade Cat Treats

The kitchen will be filled with enticing aromas once these go in the oven.

• ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ¼ cup plain yogurt
• ¾ cup whole wheat flour
• ¼ cup cornmeal
• ¼ cup water, approximately

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Combine first five ingredients
3. Add enough water to create a sticky dough
4. On lightly floured surface, knead to form a ball
5. Roll dough out to ¼ inch thick.
6. Cut into one-inch squares
7. Place all treats on a greased baking sheet and cook approximately 25 minutes. Cool completely.

As with humans, treats should be a little something extra enjoyed only occasionally.

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