Many commercially prepared cat treats contain artificial flavors, colors and preservatives. Homemade healthy cat treats can easily be prepared with little effort and time. The following recipe uses few ingredients and contains very few additives.
Fishy Balls
- 1 can tuna or ¾ cup canned salmon (drained)
- ¾ cup cooked white or brown rice
- 2 Tbsp. whole-wheat flour
- 1 to 2 Tbsp. water or broth, if needed
Mix tuna or salmon with cooked rice. Add whole wheat flour and mix well by hand or food processor. Form into small balls and place on wax paper. If the mixture is too dry, add water until it is sticky enough to form into balls. Cover balls and store them in the refrigerator no more than 4 days. Balls may be frozen and thawed before serving.
There are substitutions for cats that do not care for fish and for those on diets prohibiting fish.
Meaty Balls
Treats can be made by substituting two small jars of strained beef, chicken, turkey or lamb baby food for the tuna or salmon. Additional water is not necessary, as the baby food contains sufficient amounts of water.
Ground Meatballs
Substitute ¾ cup of finely ground beef, chicken or pork for the tuna or salmon. This results in a little drier mixture, so it may be necessary to add additional water.