How to Make Your Own Cat Treats

Just remember to mark the container clearly before storing it in the refrigerator.

Christmas and Hanukkah coincide this year, so there’s no better gift to give cat owners (and their felines) than some tasty homemade treats.

Here are two recipes featuring two feline favorites: liver and tuna. The treats are easy and quick to make. Package them in a cellophane bag with a bow or have fun hand painting a mason jar or ceramic container that can be reused and/or re-purposed.

Liver and Pumpkin Squares

Ingredients:

½ lb raw beef liver

2 large eggs

4 tbsp vegetable oil

3 tbsp unsweetened canned pumpkin

1-cup instant oats

Water to make a batter

You will need:

A standard loaf pan or an 8- to 10-in. square cake pan

Food processor or blender

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F
2. Puree the liver in a food processor or blender.
3. Add the pumpkin and blend in to the mixture.
4. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and then add the vegetable oil.
5. Add the liver and pumpkin mix to eggs and oil bowl.
6. Next, mix in the oats and add a little water until the mix is the consistency of thick cake batter.
7. Use a cooking spray to lightly spray the pan and spoon in the mixture.
8. Bake on a middle shelf in the oven for about 50 minutes until the mixture feels firm on the top.
9. Allow to cool. Turn out onto a rack.
10. When completely cool, use a sharp knife to cut in to tiny feline bite-sized pieces. The treats should be stored in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.

 

Tuna Delights

Ingredients:

1 can of tuna in oil

1 large egg

1¼ cups of flour, plus a little extra to dust your working surface

½ cup water

¼ to ½ tsp. fresh or dry parsley

You will need:

A food processor or blender

A cookie sheet lined with parchment paper

A metal bottle top to use as a cookie-cutter. (For example, use the top from a bottle of olive oil.)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Drain the oil off the tuna.
3. Place all the ingredients in the food processor and blend until they reach the consistency of dough. If the dough feels too sticky, add a little more flour.
4. Use flour to dust your working surface.
5. Roll out the dough to about ½-inch thick and use the bottle top to cut out individual treats.
6. Place the treats on the parchment-lined cookie sheet and bake for about 20 minutes on a middle shelf in the oven.
7. Allow the treats to cool. Store in the refrigerator to keep fresh.

Happy holidays. And, remember to treat responsibly; treats have calories too!

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About the Author: Sandy Robins is the 2013 winner of the “Excellence in Journalism and Outstanding Contribution to the Pet Industry Award.” Her work appears on many of the country’s leading pet platforms, such as MSNBC.com, MSN.com and TODAYShow.com. She is a regular contributor and columnist in multiple national and international publications, including Catster, as well as the author of the award-winning books “Fabulous Felines: Health and Beauty Secrets for the Pampered Cat” and “For The Love of Cats.” Learn more about Sandy on her website or Facebook page. #welovecats