Making homemade cat treats puts you in charge of what your feline actually eats, and it’s usually a lot cheaper than grabbing a bag at the store.
You can whip up nutritious snacks with pantry basics like canned fish, eggs, and flour—stuff your cat might actually beg for.
Making your own treats means you skip preservatives and weird additives, and you can tweak recipes to fit your cat’s quirks and dietary needs.
Got a salmon-obsessed cat? Or maybe yours is nuts for tuna or catnip? You can tailor every batch for them.
These five easy recipes don’t require chef-level skills.
You’ll pick up some handy prep tricks, storage tips, and even ways to tweak recipes for cats with special diets.
Why Choose Homemade Cat Treats
When you make treats at home, you control every ingredient and dodge harmful additives lurking in commercial snacks.
You get to save money and cater to your cat’s tastes at the same time.
Benefits of Homemade vs Store-Bought Treats
Most store-bought treats are loaded with preservatives, fake flavors, and fillers that don’t do much for your cat’s health.
Some even sneak in artificial sweeteners or chemical preservatives, which honestly, shouldn’t be anywhere near a cat.
Homemade treats rely on real ingredients.
You skip the risk of things like xylitol, chocolate, or artificial colors—all of which have shown up in commercial treats before.
Making treats at home is way cheaper than buying premium brands.
Plus, let’s be real—fresh treats just taste better. Your cat will probably notice the difference if you use actual chicken or real tuna.
Control Over Ingredients
You know exactly what’s going into each treat when you make them yourself.
That means no mystery allergens or hidden toxic ingredients.
Choose your protein—chicken, salmon, tuna—it’s up to you.
Fresh ingredients beat processed meal or by-products, hands down.
If ingredient quality matters to you (and it should, honestly), you can go organic, skip the artificial preservatives, and make small, fresh batches.
Ever read a store-bought treat label and had no idea what half the stuff is? Homemade treats keep it simple: oats, pumpkin, chicken broth—nothing weird.
Customization for Your Cat’s Needs
Every cat is a little different.
Homemade treats let you play to your cat’s likes and needs.
If your cat has food allergies or a sensitive stomach, you can swap out problem ingredients for safer ones without a fuss.
Some cats want crunchy biscuits, others go for soft and chewy.
You get to pick the texture by changing up how you cook them.
Kittens might need bite-sized, softer treats, while older cats sometimes appreciate something easier to chew.
And you can keep flavors interesting—tuna and catnip, chicken and sweet potato, salmon and oats… whatever your cat is into.
Essential Ingredients and Safety Tips
Nutritious homemade cat treats start with quality proteins, safe veggies, and the right binders.
You’ll want to balance your cat’s carnivore instincts with ingredients that add texture and nutrition.
Best Proteins and Nutrient Sources
Cats thrive on protein, so that’s your starting point.
Chicken liver packs a nutritional punch and is usually a feline favorite.
Cooked chicken, turkey, or beef also work well.
Just make sure you cook all meats thoroughly to kill any bacteria.
Fish like tuna, salmon, and sardines bring omega-3s for a shiny coat.
Stick with canned fish in water, not oil or brine—no one needs all that extra sodium.
Eggs do double duty as protein and a binder, plus they add essential amino acids.
Bone broth (chicken or beef) adds moisture and flavor, but keep it plain—no onions, garlic, or crazy amounts of salt.
Healthy Add-Ins: Vegetables and Catnip
Cats don’t really need veggies, but a few safe options can add fiber and nutrients.
Pumpkin is great for digestion and a lot of cats dig the taste.
Cooked sweet potatoes bring beta-carotene and make treats chewy.
Just mash them well so there aren’t any choking hazards.
A sprinkle of dried catnip can turn a boring treat into a feline party.
Use it sparingly—it’s meant to be an accent, not the main event.
Cooked carrots (well-steamed and mashed) can sneak in some extra vitamins.
Don’t let veggies take over, though—keep them to 10-20% of the recipe so protein stays front and center.
Safe Grains and Carbohydrate Alternatives
Grains mostly help hold treats together, not boost nutrition.
Whole wheat flour works for baked treats, but don’t overdo it.
Oatmeal brings fiber and helps with texture.
If you grind it into flour, you’ll get a smoother dough.
Coconut flour is a solid grain-free option—good for cats with sensitivities and it soaks up moisture nicely.
Cornmeal binds things well, but use it sparingly; some cats don’t handle corn great.
Rice flour is bland and a good binder, especially if your cat can’t do wheat or corn.
Ingredients to Avoid
Some foods are just no-gos for cats.
Onions and garlic can wreck red blood cells—leave them out, always.
Chocolate’s theobromine is toxic, even in small amounts.
Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure, so don’t even think about it.
Artificial sweeteners (especially xylitol) are deadly for cats, so keep sugar substitutes out of your kitchen.
Raw meat and eggs can carry salmonella and other nasties—always cook them.
Salt isn’t your cat’s friend either; skip it, and don’t use salty ingredients.
Homemade Cat Treats: 5 Easy Recipes
Here are five recipes using basics like tuna, chicken, pumpkin, and catnip.
You don’t need fancy skills or weird ingredients.
Tuna and Catnip Bites
Tuna and catnip—honestly, that’s a combo most cats can’t resist.
For these, grab one can of tuna in water, a cup of whole wheat flour, one egg, and a tablespoon of dried catnip.
Ingredients:
- 1 can tuna in water, drained
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon dried catnip
Set your oven to 350°F.
Mix everything in a bowl until you get a dough.
Roll into small balls, space them on a baking sheet, and bake for 12-15 minutes.
Let them cool all the way before sharing with your cat.
Store in an airtight container; they’ll stay good for about a week.
Chicken and Pumpkin Patties
These are great for cats who like softer snacks.
Mix cooked, shredded chicken with pumpkin for a treat that’s easy on the stomach.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup oat flour
- 1 egg
Combine chicken and pumpkin, then add oat flour and egg.
Stir until it sticks together.
Shape into little patties and cook them in a lightly oiled skillet, 3-4 minutes per side.
Cool before serving.
Salmon and Sweet Potato Chews
If your cat likes chewy treats, these might be a hit.
Salmon brings the healthy fats, sweet potato adds vitamins.
Ingredients:
- 1 can salmon, drained and flaked
- 1 medium sweet potato, cooked and mashed
- 1/2 cup rice flour
- 1 egg white
Heat your oven to 325°F.
Mix salmon and sweet potato, then add rice flour and egg white.
Roll the dough out to about 1/4 inch thick.
Cut into small pieces—squares work, or use a cookie cutter if you’re feeling fancy.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, then cool.
Store in the fridge for up to five days.
Yogurt and Blueberry Freezer Drops
These are a lifesaver on hot days.
Plain Greek yogurt gives probiotics, and blueberries bring antioxidants.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (unsweetened)
- 1/4 cup fresh blueberries, mashed
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional)
Make sure the yogurt is plain—no sweeteners.
Mix yogurt and mashed blueberries.
Spoon into ice cube trays or silicone molds.
Freeze at least 2 hours.
Pop out and serve cold.
Peanut Butter and Banana Biscuits
Heads up—only use peanut butter with zero xylitol. Double-check the label because that stuff is super dangerous for cats.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons natural peanut butter (xylitol-free)
- 1 ripe banana, mashed
- 1 cup oat flour
- 1 egg
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Blend peanut butter and banana, then add oat flour and egg.
Mix till it’s doughy.
Roll out and cut into small shapes.
Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bake 15-18 minutes, just until the edges start to brown.
Let them cool before serving.
Step-by-Step Preparation Guide
Having the right tools can make treat-making a lot smoother.
A little planning goes a long way—your cat will thank you.
Kitchen Tools and Prep Essentials
Essential Equipment:
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rolling pin
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Cookie cutters or a knife
Optional but Helpful:
- Food processor (for grinding stuff)
- Silicone baking mats
- Small ice cream scoop
Wash everything well before you start.
Cats are sensitive to leftover cleaning products, so give your tools a good rinse with hot water.
Measure out your ingredients first.
It saves time and helps you avoid mistakes.
Line baking sheets with parchment before preheating.
This keeps treats from sticking and makes cleanup easier.
Keep a little flour nearby for dusting your rolling surface.
It prevents sticking without messing up your dough.
Tips for Shaping and Baking Cat Treats
Roll dough to about 1/4 inch thick.
Use small cookie cutters (1/2 to 1 inch) or just cut squares—no need to get fancy unless you want to.
Smaller treats are easier for cats to eat.
Preheat your oven to the recipe’s suggested temp.
Bake until treats are golden and firm.
Rotate the baking sheets halfway through.
Let everything cool all the way down before serving (burnt tongues are no fun).
Space treats out about an inch so they bake evenly.
Check a couple minutes before the timer goes off, just in case—every oven’s a little different.
Once the treats are cool, store them in airtight containers so they stay fresh.
Storage, Shelf Life, and Serving Suggestion
When you store homemade cat treats the right way, you help them last longer and keep their flavor and nutrients intact. Portion control and smart timing mean your cat gets to enjoy treats without messing up their balanced diet.
How to Store Homemade Cat Treats
Toss your fresh cat treats into airtight containers to keep out moisture and air. Glass jars or sturdy plastic with a tight lid—those are the real MVPs for keeping things fresh.
If you pop treats in the fridge, they’ll stay good for about a week. Just let them cool first and seal them up tight. This works especially well for soft treats made with things like pumpkin or fish.
Want to keep them even longer? Freeze them! Lay treats out on a baking sheet, freeze until they’re solid, then stash them in freezer bags or airtight containers. They should last up to three months this way.
Slap a label with the date on your containers, so you don’t lose track of time. Only leave treats at room temperature if they’re totally dry and crunchy—and even then, just for a couple days.
Give treats a quick look and sniff before serving. If you spot mold, weird smells, or a funky texture, just toss them. Better safe than sorry, right?
Proper Portion Control and Frequency
Treats shouldn’t make up more than 10% of your cat’s daily calories. For a typical 10-pound cat, that’s around 20-30 calories worth of treats per day. Surprising how little that is, honestly.
How many treats? It depends on your cat’s size and the treat itself:
- Small cats (5-8 lbs): 1-2 small treats daily
- Medium cats (9-12 lbs): 2-3 treats daily
- Large cats (13+ lbs): 3-4 treats daily
Try offering treats as little rewards during play or training. Spread them out instead of dumping them all at once—nobody wants a tummy ache.
Keep an eye on your cat’s weight and tweak portions if needed. If you’re adding treats, maybe shave a bit off their regular food to keep things balanced.
Adapting Recipes for Special Dietary Needs
Some cats have allergies, sensitivities, or just need a little help with their weight. You can tweak homemade cat treats pretty easily—just swap out a few ingredients or adjust the portions.
Grain-Free and Allergy-Friendly Options
Grains like wheat, corn, and oats can be trouble for a lot of cats. If you want to skip grains, try coconut flour, almond flour, or ground flaxseed for grain-free alternatives.
If your cat can’t handle certain proteins, figure out which ones are safe first. For example, if chicken’s off the table, use duck, rabbit, or venison instead.
Some handy swaps:
- Rice flour instead of wheat flour
- Sweet potato to help everything stick together
- Pumpkin puree adds moisture without any dairy
- Bone broth in place of milk or cream
Go slow when you try new ingredients. Start with just one at a time to see how your cat reacts—nobody wants a surprise trip to the vet.
Ditch the artificial stuff—no preservatives, no weird flavorings. Stick with simple, whole ingredients you actually recognize. If you can say it, you can probably trust it.
Low-Calorie Treat Ideas
If your cat’s carrying a little extra weight, it’s time to reach for treats with fewer calories but solid nutrition. I always lean toward high-protein, low-fat combos—they seem to hit the sweet spot for satisfaction without going overboard.
Honestly, dehydrated treats are a favorite for weight management. I usually slice up lean chicken breast or white fish into tiny strips and pop them in the dehydrator until they’re good and dry. The result? Barely any calories, but plenty of protein.
Vegetable-based options can be a hit too, though not every cat’s a fan:
- Frozen green beans (definitely plain, skip the seasoning)
- Small cucumber pieces
- Steamed broccoli florets
- Carrot sticks (but don’t go wild with these)
Instead of reaching for butter or oil as binding agents, I swap them out for unsweetened applesauce or low-sodium chicken broth. These keep treats moist without piling on the calories.
Stick to small portions. Even the healthiest homemade treats shouldn’t make up more than 10% of your cat’s daily calories.
