Homemade Cat Treats

Homemade cat treats are a great way to indulge your favorite feline while keeping tabs on what goes into the food you give him or her. With a little bit of creativity in the kitchen, you'll have fun while making something your furry family member will enjoy.

Cats enjoy treats made especially for them

Sure, it is easy to pick up a little can or bag of cat treats at the supermarket, but do you read the label before you feed them to your pet? Not all treats are created equal, and some add little, if any, nutritional value to your pet's diet.

There are some good reasons to make your own treats even if it does take a little extra time in the evening or weekend. A few of these reasons include:

• Controlling the weight of an overweight cat
• Controlling the ingredients in your pet's food and omitting preservatives
• Keeping food allergens out of a sensitive pet's diet
• Controlling the diet of a cat who has health problems, such as diabetes, arthritis or an auto-immune disease

You don't need to buy fancy ingredients to make delicious homemade cat treats at home. Most ingredients are commonly found in the average pantry or freezer. The following basic ingredients are used in many cat treat recipes:

• Whole-wheat flour
• Margarine
• Chicken
• Chicken livers
• Egg whites
• Cornmeal
• Canned tuna
• Pasta- elbow macaroni and angel hair spaghetti
• Rice
• Catnip

If you've ever baked cookies, you can master making cat treats. Some are as simple as the following recipes.

Does your cat eat a special canned food diet? If so, you may be able to make simple cookies from canned food (the food needs to be firm for this treat). To make these snacks, slide the food from the can in one piece. This is sometimes easier if you remove both the top and bottom of the can, and gently push the contents out. Next, cut into 1/4-inch slices using a sharp knife or cheese slicer. Lay the slices about 1/2-inch apart on a cookie sheet, and bake at 325 degrees in the oven until crispy. Once cooled, serve these tasty cookies to your pet. They will keep a week or two in an air-tight container stored in a refrigerator.

Why should humans have all of the fun during the holidays? If your pet craves cheese and can't keep his or her paws off of the cheese tray, try this cat-friendly variation. To make these you'll need:

• 2 tablespoons of margarine
• 1/2 cup grated cheddar or cheddar jack cheese
• 1 egg white from a large egg
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon of fresh chopped catnip or 1/2 teaspoon of dried catnip

Combine the first three ingredients until well blended. In a separate bowl, combine flour and catnip. Add the flour mixture slowly to the first three ingredients, mixing until a soft dough ball is formed. Separate into 1/2-inch pieces and roll by hand into small balls. Place the balls on an ungreased cookie sheet, and bake at 300 degrees F for approximately 25 minutes. Yield: Approximately 12 balls. Cool completely before serving.

What cat doesn't enjoy a little tuna now and then? This quick recipe will give your pet plenty of tasty tuna treats to enjoy for several weeks if stored in an air-tight container in a cool place. The following ingredients are needed:

• 1/2 cup of whole-wheat flour
• 1/2 cup of powdered milk
• 1/2 cup of tuna packed in oil
• 1 large beaten egg
• 1/4 cup of water

Grease a cookie sheet with margarine or use one lined with a silicone sheet. In a bowl, mix the flour and powdered milk together. In a separate bowl, combine the tuna and egg together, mashing the tuna until it is no longer chunky. Add the tuna mixture to the dry ingredients, and add the water a little at a time until a slightly sticky dough ball is formed. Using two spoons or a small cookie scoop, create balls and place them about one-inch apart on a non-stick cookie sheet. Cook in the oven at 350 degrees F for approximately 25 minutes. Cool completely before serving to your pet.

Alternative recipe: Aubstitute pureed, cooked chicken with one tablespoon of cod liver oil for the tuna packed in oil.

All creatures crave a little variety in their diet, and your cat is no different. Making cat treats is one simple way to accomplish this. If you make your own treats, you may find that your cat likes them better than the store bought varieties, and you'll feel better knowing exactly what goes into the food you're feeding your pet.

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