I had given my cats one of those commercial brands of cat treats until I read the label – full of unhealthy fat, preservatives, and in a nutshell, nothing good.  We’ve probably all done that.  I am sure you, my valued readers, want the very best for your cats, so I have searched for and found five all-natural, healthy and delicious (for cats) homemade cat treats. Easy to make and kitty will probably love them.  I hope you’ll have as much fun making them as I have chosen them for you.

NOTE:  if you make tuna treats, please be sure not to give too many dailies, and do not make these all the time.  Tuna does contain mercury; in small amounts it’s okay, but not as a constant.

CHICKEN CAT TREATS

  • 1 heaping cup rolled oats
  • 4 ounces cooked chicken, chopped into small pieces
  • 2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 heaping teaspoon dried catnip
  • 1 large egg

Put oats in a food processor until they are flour.  Put the remaining ingredients in a food processor until well combined.  Put into a bowl.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Roll out ¼ teaspoon-sized portions into balls, then flatten using your finger.  Place evenly on the baking sheets.

Bake 15-17 minutes or until golden brown and dried out on top.   Let cool completely.  Store in fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

YUMMY CAT TREATS (GRAIN FREE! NO BAKING REQUIRED!)

  • 1 cup low sodium skinless, boneless canned sardines in water, drained
  • ½ cup canned pumpkin
  • (NOT pie filling, get pure pumpkin puree)
  • 1 tablespoon fish oil
  • 1 tablespoon kelp (available at health food stores)

Mix all ingredients and roll into balls.  Put into containers and separate each layer with waxed paper to keep them from sticking together.  Treats keep refrigerated for 3-4 days.

CHICKEN & SPINACH CAT TREATS

Note:  You can use salmon or tuna in place of chicken.  Whenever possible choose organic.

  • ½ lb. boneless & skinless chicken thighs, steamed
  • 1cup spinach leaves
  • 1 cup quick-cooking oats
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon catnip
  • ¼ cup flour (I prefer whole wheat or rice flour)

 

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Steam the chicken thighs until cooked through.  You can use chicken breasts, salmon or tuna if you prefer.  Let the chicken cool for 20 minutes before step 2.
  2. Place chicken, oats, spinach leaves, egg, and catnip in blender or food processor, and pulse on low until the mixture blends together. It should be slightly chunky but smooth, like wet sand.
  3. Place the mixture into a bowl and add the flour. Knead the dough until it is not sticky, then put it on a work surface dusted with flour.
  4. Use a rolling pin and create a rectangle of dough approximately ½ inch thick. Create small shapes with a cookie cutter.
  5. Put the kitty treats on a cookie sheet lined with parchment and bake for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool until room temperature.  Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator.  It should last about 5 days.

POTATO AND TUNA PATTIES

  • 1 small potato, peeled
  • 1 can tuna in water, drained
  • 1 egg
  • Coconut flour, if needed

 

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  2. Boil or microwave potato until well-cooked and tender, about 5 minutes.
  3. In a medium blow, mash the potato with a fork.
  4. Add drained tuna and egg and mix until well combined and easy to mold. If the mixture is too moist add a little coconut flour, a teaspoon at a time.
  5. Shape mixture into bite-sized patties and place onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  6. Bake for 20-25 minutes until slightly browned and crispy. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

 

SALMON AND CARROT CAT TREATS

  • 1 can salmon, drained
  • ½ cup carrot slices
  • Coconut flour if needed

 

  1. Steam the carrots until mushy.
  2. In a blender, combine the salmon and carrots and process until well combined. Add coconut flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, if necessary to make the mixture moldable.
  3. Form the mixture into bite-sized balls and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  4. Freeze until firm. Store in the freezer in an airtight container.