In this guide, you’ll discover 5 DIY cat treats recipes that are healthy, simple, and completely cat-safe, based on feline nutrition science and what naturally appeals to their carnivorous palate.
Why Make Your Own Cat Treats
The pet treat industry is worth billions, but when you look at the ingredient list on commercial treats, you often find fillers, artificial preservatives, and mystery “meat by-products.” Making your own treats puts you in control of what your cat actually eats.
| Benefits of Homemade Treats | Reasons to Make Your Own |
|---|---|
Quality Control | You know exactly what ingredients are going into your cat’s treats |
Cost Savings | Homemade treats are often 50-70% cheaper than premium commercial options |
Health Benefits | Avoid fillers, artificial preservatives, and mystery ingredients |
Customization | Tailor treats to your cat’s preferences and dietary needs |
🛡️ Important Safety Notes Before Making Cat Treats
Treats should never make up more than 10% of your cat’s daily caloric intake. The other 90% must come from a balanced, complete cat food diet.
Never use onions, garlic, chocolate, grapes, raisins, xylitol, alcohol, or essential oils in any cat treats. These are toxic to cats.
If your cat has diabetes, kidney disease, or is on a prescription diet, do not feed them homemade treats without showing the recipe to your vet first.
Introduce one new ingredient at a time. If you make chicken treats today, wait a few days before trying salmon to ensure there’s no allergic reaction.
🥩 Ingredients Cats Can & Can’t Eat
These should be cooked plain, with no salt, oil, or seasonings:
Never, under any circumstances, include these in your recipes:
⚖️ Treats vs Meals — Portion Control
It is incredibly easy to overfeed a cat. An indoor house cat might only need 200–250 calories per day. A single large chunk of cheese could be 20% of their daily needs!
Homemade treats are often nutrient-dense. Always break treats into pea-sized bites.
3–5 small pieces per day is usually plenty.
Watch the litter box. If you see loose stools, you fed too much, or the ingredient didn’t agree with them.
The 5 DIY Cat Treat Recipes
🍗 1. Baked Chicken Nugget Treats
A high-protein, low-carb staple that most cats go crazy for.
- Training rewards (they hold their shape well in a pocket)
- 1 cup cooked chicken breast (shredded finely or ground)
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon oat flour (optional, helps bind)
- 1 teaspoon olive oil (good for coat)
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Pulse the cooked chicken in a food processor until it looks like crumbs.
- Add the egg, olive oil, and oat flour. Pulse until a dough forms.
- Roll into tiny, pea-sized balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Press them flat with a fork.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes until firm and slightly golden.
- Cool completely before serving.
- Fridge (3–4 days)
- Freezer (2 months)
🐟 2. Tuna & Egg Crunchy Bites
These bake up crunchy and have a strong scent that entices picky eaters.
- Finicky cats or those who love fish flavors
- 1 can (5 oz) tuna in water (drained thoroughly)
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons oat flour or rice flour
- 1 tablespoon parsley (finely chopped, optional—good for breath)
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Drain the tuna very well (squeeze out the water).
- Mix tuna, egg, and flour in a bowl until you have a thick mash.
- Spread the mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet (about 1/4 inch thick).
- Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven.
- Use a pizza cutter to score the sheet into tiny squares.
- Flip the squares and bake for another 5–10 minutes to dry them out for crunch.
- Refrigerator (5–7 days)
- Do not feed tuna daily (risk of mercury buildup). This is a “sometimes” treat.
🎃 3. Soft Pumpkin & Chicken Treats
A softer, gentler treat that aids digestion thanks to the pumpkin fiber.
- Senior cats with dental issues or cats prone to hairballs
- 1/2 cup canned pure pumpkin (NOT pie filling)
- 1/2 cup cooked chicken or turkey (blended smooth)
- 1/2 cup rice flour (or enough to make dough handleable)
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Combine pumpkin and meat in a bowl.
- Gradually add flour until the dough is not sticky.
- Roll out dough and use a tiny cookie cutter (or a bottle cap) to cut shapes.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes.
- These will remain slightly soft/chewy.
- Fridge (3–4 days)
- Pumpkin is great for digestion, but too much can cause loose stool. Limit to 1–2 treats a day.
🐟 4. Salmon & Catnip Bites
The ultimate high-value reward. The combination of fish oils and catnip is irresistible.
- Playtime rewards or distracting a cat during grooming
- 1/2 cup canned salmon (no salt added, drained) or cooked fresh salmon
- 1 egg yolk
- 1/4 cup oat flour
- 1 teaspoon dried organic catnip
- Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).
- Mash the salmon (remove any bones if using fresh).
- Mix in the egg yolk, flour, and catnip.
- Form into small bite-sized nibbles.
- Bake for 15–18 minutes until crispy on the outside.
- Fridge (3–4 days)
- If your cat gets aggressive with catnip, skip that ingredient.
🧊 5. Frozen Summer Lick Treats
A hydrating, cooling treat perfect for hot days. No baking required!
- Hydration, hot climates, and overweight cats (very low calorie)
- 1/2 cup unsalted chicken broth (ensure no onion/garlic ingredients)
- 1/4 cup tiny shreds of cooked chicken or tuna water
- Optional: A pinch of catnip or pureed pumpkin
- Mix the broth with the meat shreds/tuna water.
- Pour into a silicone ice cube tray (ideally one with small molds).
- Freeze for 3–4 hours until solid.
- Pop one out and put it in a bowl for the cat to lick.
- Freezer (1–2 months)
- Don’t let them eat a large chunk of ice whole; let them lick it as it melts.
📊 Comparison — Choose the Right Treat
| Recipe | Texture | Difficulty | Best For | Storage (Fridge) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken Nuggets | Soft/Chewy | Easy | Training | 3–4 Days |
| Tuna Crunchy | Crunchy | Easy-Medium | Picky Eaters | 5–7 Days |
| Pumpkin Soft | Very Soft | Easy | Seniors / Digestion | 3–4 Days |
| Salmon Catnip | Chewy | Medium | Playtime | 3–4 Days |
| Frozen Lick | Icy/Liquid | Very Easy | Hydration / Diet | Freezer Only |
📦 Storage, Shelf Life & Food Safety
- Always store baked meat treats in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
- If you leave them on the counter, they will grow mold or bacteria within 24 hours.
- If you bake a batch of 50 treats, your cat cannot (and should not) eat them all in 3 days.
- Put a week’s supply in the fridge and freeze the rest. Thaw a few at a time as needed.
- Put a piece of tape on the container with the “Baked On” date.
- This helps you track freshness and avoid feeding spoiled treats.
- If the treats smell sour, look slimy, or have visible mold, throw the entire batch away immediately.
- Do not risk it. When in doubt, throw it out.
🔧 Troubleshooting (If Your Cat Refuses Treats)
- Fix: Warm the treat up slightly (5 seconds in the microwave). Heat releases the aroma of the meat proteins, making it more appetizing.
- Fix: Some cats hate crunch; others hate soft food. Try Recipe 5 (Frozen) or Recipe 2 (Crunchy) to test their preference.
- Fix: If your cat vomits or has diarrhea, stop the treats immediately. Return to their standard diet. Next time, try a single-ingredient treat (like just plain boiled chicken) to identify the sensitivity.
- Fix: Your treats are too big or too frequent. Cut the size in half and increase playtime with a feather wand to burn off the extra calories.
❓ FAQs
Generally, yes. You control the ingredients, avoiding fillers, artificial dyes, and preservatives. However, they are not nutritionally complete meals, so they must be treated as snacks.
Yes, but in very small moderation. Kittens have tiny stomachs and need specific nutrients for growth. Stick to the simple Chicken or Pumpkin recipes and only give tiny crumbs.
You can, but cats don’t digest wheat very well. Oat flour, rice flour, or coconut flour are better, easier-to-digest alternatives.
While raw diets exist, making DIY raw treats carries a risk of Salmonella and E. coli for both the cat and the human handling the food. It is safer for the general pet owner to cook the meats (bake or boil) to kill bacteria.
Read the label. If it says “onion,” “garlic,” or “spices,” put it back. Look for “Pet Safe” broth or make your own by boiling chicken bones in water (and removing all bones before serving).
🎯 Conclusion
It allows you to bond with your pet, save money, and ensure they aren’t eating mystery chemicals. Whether your cat is a fish fanatic or a chicken connoisseur, these recipes offer something for every palate.
Remember, the secret ingredient is always moderation (and maybe a little catnip).
Explore More DIY Topics📚 Sources & Credibility Notes
