Purr-fectly Seasonal: Whisker-Licking Fall Treats Your Cat Will Love!
A few simple ingredients can turn into delicious little bites for your feline friend.
During the Autumn season, my urge to bake kicks back into gear. The days are cooler and I love to turn my kitchen into a warm, inviting space filled with yummy scents and tasty treats.
There are so many delicious and fresh harvest products like pumpkin, carrots, and sweet potato that are coming out of gardens and farms and into kitchens.
So, why not include the whole family in the delicious fun, including the furry ones?
Today, I’ve pulled together a few treat recipes that you can whip up for your kitty to enjoy. The ingredient lists are short, they’re easy to make, and Kitty will adore them.
They include protein and simple, healthy ingredients your cat can enjoy. Oh, and plenty of love!
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The Healthy Ingredients
Let’s keep the list of ingredients simple and safe, shall we?
Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they must eat meat to survive. So, even though these are treats, not meant to replace their regular diet, these recipes all contain a meat source to keep our kitties healthy and happy.
Tuna, salmon, turkey, chicken, egg, and even a little peanut butter can provide protein for your little carnivore to enjoy.
Other ingredients contained in these recipes can provide a few supplemental benefits for your cat:
Pumpkin- provides dietary fiber and hydration to help with with digestive regulation, hairball control, and weight management. If you’re using canned pumpkin(not pumpkin pie filling), ensure that it’s just pumpkin puree, with no added spices.
Sweet potato- offer dietary fiber, beta-carotene, and Vitamins A and C
Carrots- provide beta-carotene and Vitamins A, C, and E
Oats- oats can be turned into oat flour which acts as a binder for the treats and provides some dietary fiber
Avocado oil- safe for cats to consume in small quantities within the recipe.
Catnip- you can add catnip to any of these recipes to entice your cat. Catnip grows around our house and is in a small area of my garden so it’s on my harvest list to dry for Hunter this time of year. You can harvest it yourself if you know how to identify it or grow some in your own garden (though, be careful, it can spread like wildfire!).
Chicken broth- If you are using chicken broth in your recipes, please be sure to get a pet-safe option, such as Bluebird Provisions Chicken Bone Broth. This broth contains no added salt or seasonings, especially toxic ingredients like onion that is common in broths made for human consumption.
Find out why our cats are so fascinated with this plant and how we can use it to make our cats happy and healthy.
Healthy Cat Treat Recipes
Tuna Pumpkin Bites
1 can of no salt added tuna in water
½ cup old-fashioned oats
1/3 cup pumpkin puree
1 large egg
1 tbsp avocado oil
Heat oven to 325°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or prepare silicone molds for baking. Add oats to blender or food processor and pulse to make it into flour. Open the can of tuna and flake it with a fork. Add the oat flour, pumpkin puree, egg, and avocado oil to the bowl and stir to combine. Scoop out small amounts of dough and roll into bite-sized balls and evenly spaced on the baking sheet. You can also use a silicone mold to form the treats.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the treats are cooked through and firm. Allow the treats to cool completely before feeding to your cat. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 or 5 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
Salmon and Sweet Potato Cat Treats
1 cup canned salmon (in water, drained)
½ cup cooked and mashed sweet potato(no seasoning or butter added)
1 large egg
1 cup oat flour
Preheat oven to 350°F. In a mixing bowl, combine the salmon, sweet potato, and egg. Mix until well combined. Gradually add the flour and mix until the dough comes together. Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out the dough to about ¼ inch thick. Use a small cookie cutter to cut into shapes, or cut into small squares. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until they are firm and slightly golden. Cool and store for 4-5 days in the refrigerator or 2 months in the freezer.
Turkey and Pumpkin Nibbles
½ cup ground turkey
¼ cup pumpkin puree
1 large egg
Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Mix all ingredients together until well combined. Spoon the mixture into a piping bag, cut off the tip and pipe into small, bite-sized pieces onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until firm and lightly golden. Allow to cool before giving to your cat. Keep treats fresh in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the fridge, or freeze for 2-3 months.
Carrot Cat Treats
½ cup finely grated carrots
1 cup oat flour
2 tbsp. natural peanut butter (xylitol-free)
1 tbsp. water
½ tsp. catnip (optional)
Preheat oven to 325°F. In a bowl, mix all ingredients until a soft dough forms. If too dry, add a teaspoon of water at a time. Roll the dough to a ¼ inch thickness and cut into cubes or roll small pieces into balls. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until firm and lightly golden. Cool completely before giving to your kitty. Store in refrigerator for up to 5 days or in freezer for up to 2 months.
Chicken and Pumpkin Lickables
½ cup cooked boneless skinless chicken breast
¼ cup plain pumpkin puree
¼ cup warm water
1 tbsp cat-safe chicken broth with no onion or garlic
Add the cooked chicken to a food processor or blender. Add the pumpkin puree and warm water (and chicken broth, if using). Blend until the mixture is very smooth. Add more water, by the teaspoon if you want a thinner texture. Use as a topper for food or drop by the spoonful into your cat’s bowl, on its own, to use as a lickable treat. The remaining treat should be stored in the fridge in a sealed container and used within two days.
Related Article:
Whip up some healthy treat options for your canine companions this Fall!
The Final Bite
I tried out each and every one of these recipes with my own kitty, Hunter. He loved every one!
But, the trick with treats is to keep them as a treat. While the ingredients in them are safe and healthy, they’re not meant to replace their regular diets.
Stick to the golden rule for pet treats. No more than 10% of your pet’s daily caloric intake should come from these treats. Generally, I give Hunter about 5 treats a day. Depending on your cat and their calorie needs, this can vary a little.
These cat treats can provide a chance to vary the taste and texture of your cat’s food, making them an enriching part of their day. So, don’t be afraid to whip up a little batch and test them out on your own feline friend!
