Like many pets, kittens and cats are considered part of the family. People have such a close bond with cats, so it is no surprise we want to spoil them every so often. The next time your kitten or cat deserves a treat, instead of reaching for the factory-created ones in a pouch, consider one of the three recipes for homemade cat treats I feature today.
Treats are an important part of having a cat and play a role in training. One of our family cats spent equal amounts of time inside and outside. The best way to summon them to the door was to shake a can of treats. When the task of coming in or going out was complete, they are rewarded a little flavorful morsel.
Making kitten or cat treats is an easy task and is similar to making cookies. I had a few criteria when choosing what recipes to present this week.
First, there should be a variety of flavors. I chose chicken, tuna and liver because they are flavors cats are familiar with. Second, the recipe had to be easy to prepare. The recipes are not complex and do not use any special ingredients. Finally, I took into consideration online reviews and what others thought about the recipe. If people felt their cats enjoyed the treats, then it is safe to assume the recipe may appeal to your cat as well.
Next time you are low on your kitten or cat’s favorite treat, consider making some of your own. Your furry friend is sure to enjoy them and you will appreciate knowing all the ingredients and their wholesomeness.
Chewy Cat Treats for Cats
From Joy Wilson of JoyTheBaker.com
Makes about 50 small treats
Ingredients
1 large egg
1 4-ounce jar chicken and brown rice baby food (or canned wet cat food)
1/4 cup parsley, coarsely chopped
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 tablespoons water
1 cup brown rice flour
1/2 cup cooked white (or brown) rice
1 tablespoon of catnip (optional)
1 heaping tablespoon wet cat food (optional)
Step 1: Place a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together egg, baby food (or wet cat food), parsley, olive oil and water. Add brown rice flour and cooked rice. Stir to incorporate. The mixture will be thick but spreadable.
Step 3: Spread mixture onto prepared baking sheet creating a rectangle that is about 1/3 of an inch thick. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes.
Step 4: Remove from the oven. Let rest until cool enough to handle, then slice soft dough into bite-sized pieces. Return pieces to the oven to bake for another eight minutes. Remove from the oven. Allow to cool completely. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Tuna Tidbits
From PetPlace.com
Makes 12 cookies
Ingredients
6 ounce can of tuna
1/4 cup water drained from tuna
3 tablespoons cooked egg white, chopped
1/4 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine tuna, egg white and water. Add cornmeal and flour. Blend to form dough.
Step 2: Knead into a ball and roll to 1/4-inch thick. Cut into one-inch sized pieces.
Step 3: Bake at 350 F for 20 minutes.
Crispy Liver Morsels
From PetPlace.com
Makes 12 cookies
Ingredients
1/2 cup cooked chicken livers
1/4 cup water
1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup cooked carrot, mashed
1 tablespoon soft margarine
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 325 F. Place well cooked livers in a blender with 1/4 cup water and blend into a paste.
Step 2: In a bowl, combine flour and margarine. Add liver mixture and carrots and knead dough into a ball.
Step 3: Roll dough to 1/4-inch thick and cut into one-inch sized pieces. Place cookies on a greased cookie sheet and bake at 325 F for 10 minutes.
Mitch L. Mariani II is a self-taught amateur chef. Reach him at [email protected].
