Healthy
Cat Treats
Cats are known for being finicky
eaters. I think part of the problem is the food we give them. Cats
are carnivores by choice and DNA. Unlike many domesticated pets,
cats can and do survive quite well in the wild. They are natural
predators that know how to hunt their own food.
How many stories have you heard
of cats who have brought a fresh kill home to present to their
owner? Usually still half alive and causing all sorts of
excitement. Especially if they make it all the way into the house.
So any healthy cat treats should
contain meat. And most cats that I've known don't really care if
it's cooked, although it's less messy. One of the most popular
healthy cat treats around our house is made from the chicken liver
and gizzard that comes with each chicken.
We usually make them when we cook
the chicken (although our cats love the actual chicken, that's for
us). You can also substitute strained liver baby food. Here's the
recipe:
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup of dry milk
- 1/2 cup of wheat germ
- 1 teaspoon of natural honey
- 3 ounces of fresh liver (or
strained liver baby food)
Combine 1/2 cup dry milk and 1/2 cup wheat germ; drizzle 1 teaspoon honey on top.
Add one 3-1/3 oz. jar of strained liver baby food or homemade blended liver and stir until everything is well mixed. Form the mixture into balls; place them on an oiled cookie sheet and flatten them with a fork.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Bake 8 - 10 minutes.
Consistency should be like fudge.
Store in a jar in the fridge or freeze if keeping more than a few days.
No cat that I've ever offered
these healthy cat treats has ever refused. Most will take off part
of my finger as I feed them. My cats often sit and supervise the
baking and are eager to be a test taster as soon as they come out
of the oven.
Another quick recipe for natural
and high protein cat treats is with salmon, tuna, or other canned
fish. Here's the recipe:
Ingredients
- 1 12-oz can salmon (or other
fish) with liquid
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/2 cup instant oatmeal,
Combine the salmon and egg in a blender; mix until smooth. Add the oatmeal and blend well.
Spray cooking spray on a 9-by-13inch pan and spread the mixture in the pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes. Cool, then cut into bite-sized squares. Store in the freezer. Makes about 24 treats.
But as I mentioned before, any
meat can be used for a natural healthy cat treat. Baking adds a
crunchy texture and helps keep the cat's teeth clean. Try to keep
gravy (although my cats love it), sweet (sugar) stuff, and
artificial commercial treats out of your cat's diet.
There are a few commercial cat
treats that are better (more protein and fat than artificial
additives). Purina Whisker Lickin's crunch lovers that come in
several flavors has more good stuff than bad. But they still use
food dye and preservatives which aren't a good thing.
If you just take any leftovers of
meat and fish, with no sauce or gravy, and make them into smaller
servings, they are the perfect healthy cat treat. Make sure you
refrigerate or freeze if keeping for any period of time.
Giving natural healthy cat treats
to your cat rather than commercial varieties that have more filler
and artificial flavors can keep your cat healthy and happy.
Exercise and clean fresh water is important too.
Related Articles:
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