Anyone Hungry?

If you’re an avid cook or baker, Christmas is the perfect time of year to try new recipes and bring back old favorites. Making tasty homemade treats for friends and family is a thoughtful and loving gift. Unfortunately, one family member you can't always share these baked goods with is the family cat. Many of the foods we eat can actually be toxic or harmful to our cats. 

However, that doesn’t mean your feline should get left out of the holiday fun. Why not show your kitty your appreciation with some cat-friendly treats they can enjoy throughout the season? Here are six quick, easy, and healthy cat treats you can make at home to give to your kitty as a special Christmas snack. 

Tuna Gnocchi 

These savory snacks are incredibly straightforward to make, with very few ingredients needed. Because of the egg, they puff slightly, resulting in a gnocchi-type consistency. Store them in an airtight container for up to two weeks for your cat to enjoy.  

Ingredients: 

• 1 can of tuna, drained 
• 1 egg 
• 1 1/4 cups of flour 
• 1/2 cup water 

 Recipe: 

1.Mix all the ingredients to form a soft dough. The easiest way to do this is by using a food processor or blender. If the dough gets too sticky, add a bit more flour. 

2.Dust a rolling surface with flour and roll out the dough. You want it to be roughly 1/2 inch thick. 

3.Cut small circles in the dough, about the size of a coin. You can use a bottle cap to cut them out if you'd like. 

4.Bake at 350° for 15-20 minutes on a tray lined with baking paper. 

Salmon Bites 

Source: Petsmont

Every cat loves salmon, so these are sure to be a winner! These are similar to the previous recipe but with a different twist on the taste. Again, if kept refrigerated, they should last for a bit. 

Ingredients: 

• 10 oz canned salmon (undrained) 
• 1 egg  
• 2 cups whole wheat flour 

Recipe: 

1.Pulse the canned salmon in a blender until it turns into a puree. 

2.Beat the egg, then combine with the salmon and whole wheat flour. 

3.Mix until a dough forms. If the mixture is too dry, add a little water. If it’s too sticky, add more flour. 

4.Roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thick and cut into the shape of your choice. 

5.Place on a tray lined with baking paper and bake for 20 minutes at 350°. They will be brown and softly crunchy when ready.  

2-Ingredient Christmas Cookies 

If you have a blender, this is one of the easiest recipes on the list. It only calls for two ingredients - dry cat food and water! It’s also an excellent option for kitties on a grain-free diet.  

Ingredients: 

• 2 cups of dry cat food 
• 1 cup of water 

Recipe: 

1.Add the dry cat food to a blender and grind until it turns into a fine crumb/powder. 

2.Transfer into a mixing bowl and gradually add the water. Keep stirring until it forms a dough. 

3.Flatten out the dough as much as you can, then shape it into tiny cookies. You can even cut them into mini stars for a festive feel. 

4.Bake in the oven at 350° for approximately 20- 30 minutes. Once they turn slightly crisp, they are ready.   

Cat-Safe Gravy 

If you’re giving your kitty some turkey for their Christmas meal, you may want to add some gravy. However, because it is high in salt, you should not share it with your furry friend. 

Plus, many contain onions, which are toxic to felines. Thankfully, we’ve found a suitable alternative that you can make quickly and easily with wet cat food. 

Ingredients: 

• ½ can/pouch of wet cat food (Kitten food works best as it is a smoother consistency) 
• ⅓ cup of water 

Recipe: 

1.Break down the cat food into a blender into a paste.

2.Add the water and blend to a liquid consistency. If you don’t have a blender, you can whisk together the ingredients. Then, heat slightly over the stove, so the mixture melts down a little. Let it cool to room temperature before serving. 

Chewy Chicken & Rice Bars 

These are an excellent option for cats who prefer chicken over fish. They also serve as healthy dog treats too for those living with both felines and canines. Store these snacks in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. 

Ingredients:  

• 1 large egg 
• 1 can/pouch of chicken flavored wet cat food (alternatively, you could use boiled chicken blended up) 
• 2 teaspoons olive oil 
• 2 tablespoons water 
• 1 cup brown rice flour (or standard flour) 
• 1/2 cup cooked white or brown rice  
• 1 tablespoon of catnip (Optional) 

Recipe: 

1.Whisk together the egg, cat food (or blended chicken), olive oil,  and water.   

2.Add the flour and cooked rice, then mix well. The consistency should be thick but spreadable. 

3.Spread the mixture evenly on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Press down gently and cut into small rectangles. 

4.Bake at 320° for 15 to 20 minutes. 

Catnip Cup Cake 

If you really want to treat your fur baby this holiday season, why not bake them their very own little Christmas cake! This Catnip cup cake will make your kitties day! You can create either a big cake, cut into small pieces to serve, or make multiple mini cakes with tiny baking cups or a muffin tin. 

Ingredients:  

• 2 tablespoons flour 
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch 
• 1 pinch baking powder 
• 1 tablespoon catnip  
• 1 teaspoon olive oil 
• 2 tablespoons wet cat food  
• 2 eggs 

Recipe: 

1.Beat together the eggs. Add the olive oil and cat food, then mix well to combine. 

2.Fold in all the dry ingredients until thoroughly mixed. 

3.Pour the mixture into a cake tin lined with baking paper or individual cake cups. It will be considerably chunkier than a sponge cake you would make for humans.  

4.Bake for 20 minutes at 320°.  

5.Check if it's ready by inserting a toothpick. It should come out clean. The finished cake should feel springy and look like carrot cake. For an extra festive touch, you could glaze it with some cat-safe gravy.  

Final Thoughts 

All these recipes are free from foods that are toxic to cats, such as milk and sugar. Just like any cat treat, you should give these homemade treats to your kitty in moderation or even run it by your vet if you're concerned. Treats should not exceed 10% of your cat’s daily food intake. 

The best treats are those made with love, so use these ideas to whip up an extra special snack for your fur baby this holiday season.