DIY Cat Treats: An Informational Guide

When it comes to caring for your cat, there are numerous ways to go the extra mile. One of the ways you can further enrich and reward your furry feline is by giving them delicious, one-of-a-kind treats that they are guaranteed to love.

With that in mind, we have listed some of our favorite recipes for DIY cat treats that you can make at home for your cat. We’ve even thrown in a few DIY cat toys that you can make to further promote enrichment in your home!

8 DIY Cat Treats and Toys You Should Try

Any animal loves a treat, but we also understand that your finicky feline can be hard to please sometimes. That is why our team recommends getting creative and making your own DIY cat treats that are catered to their tastes!

Here are eight fun ideas for some DIY cat treats (and three do-it-yourself recipes!) that you can tailor to your feline:

1. Tuna Treats – Your cat is certain to love these tuna treats based on their smell alone! The primary ingredient is tuna, and what cat wouldn’t love that? One thing we might consider adding to this recipe is some good ol’ catnip to make these bite-sized treats even more undeniable.
2. Salmon Bites – You are probably starting to notice a trend by now… cats love fish! No surprise here that the main ingredient in this recipe is salmon. These salmon bites are perfect for your fish-loving feline, and they are also a nice alternative to the tuna DIY cat treats!
3. Catsicles – For those days when the temperatures start to rise, a cool treat is a great way to ensure your furry friend is comfy and happy. These cat popsicles are easy to make, and they will keep your cat occupied for a while as they lick away at them.
4. Cat Nip Toys – These DIY cat nip toys are sure to keep your felines occupied for hours! Stuffed with a lot of catnip, these toys are fairly easy to make, requiring just a bit of sewing. Trust us, though, you will want to make sure they are sewn together tightly, or else catnip might be everywhere. Your cat would not mind that happening, but we can guess that you probably would not be as thrilled!
5. DIY Scratching Posts – Cats love to scratch; it is in their DNA! They do not, unfortunately, know the difference between what is allowed for scratching all the time and what is off limits. We found these cool DIY scratching post ideas, and we just had to share them with you. These scratching posts are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also very inexpensive to make, and your cats will love them!

Full Treat Recipes

Here are a few recipes for cat treats we’re sure your furry friend will love! 

Fluffy’s Favorite Fish Balls

Yes, the name says it all! Here is what you’ll need:

• 8 oz drained can of tuna
• 2 oz cooked skinless/boneless fish
• 3 mini carrots cooked and mashed
• 1 large egg (beaten)
• 2 tbsp shredded cheese
• 2 tbsp rolled oats
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tsp active dry yeast
• ½ tsp dried catnip

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and oil a cookie sheet, then mix everything together into a large bowl. Dust your hands with some flour (not too much) and roll the mix into small balls like you would cookie dough.

Then, place the balls about 1 inch apart on the cookie sheet and bake for 15 minutes, until they’re firm and light brown. Let these cool and store them in an air-tight container until your kitty is ready for the catnip goodness!

Mouseburger Bites

Don’t worry, there is no mouse involved in this one at all! Here’s what you’ll need for this fun recipe:

• 3 oz sausage or ground beef
• 2 tbsp oatmeal
• 1 egg
• 2 oz finely chopped catnip

Mix everything together and knead until it’s completely mixed and you can form the entire mix into a large, flat oval. Broil this under medium heat for about 6 minutes, making sure that you turn it frequently until the outside of the oval is crisp.

Let it cool off and then break or slice off pieces for a super treat for your kitty. Store in an air-tight container in the fridge until you are ready to hand out more.

Kitty Snacks

Kind of like Scooby Snacks, your cat will do flips for these baked treats. Here is what you need:

• 1 ½ cups of rolled oats
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• ½ cup flour
• ½ cup of tuna oil, or chicken or beef bouillon

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and then mix all of the ingredients into a dough. Dust your hands with a bit of flour and then form the dough into small, bite-sized pieces (usually about ¼ to ½ inch thick) and place them on an oiled cookie sheet.

Then, bake them for 25 minutes until they are slightly browned. You can then store these in an air-tight container until you’re ready to hand them out.

Benefits of Making Your Own DIY Cat Treats

One of the best things about making your own DIY cat treats for your furry friend is that you know exactly what is in them. There are no hidden ingredients, no recalls to worry about, and you can tailor the recipe to what your cat specifically loves the most. Plus, DIY cat treats are usually way cheaper than the cat treats that you buy at your local pet store.

Overall, if you and your cat are tired of expensive, store-bought treats, you could try out or more of these super fun DIY cat treats. Once you get the hang of your feline’s tastes and preferences, have some fun and experiment with your own recipes and hand them out the next time you drop your cat off at the groomer or even the next time you board your cat before heading on vacation.

Contact Pet Palace to Learn More About DIY Cat Treats!

We hope you have enjoyed this list of our favorite treats and toys that you can make for your feline. If you have any additional questions about DIY cat treats or even the diverse range of services we offer your furry friend, please contact us today. We look forward to assisting you!

Categories: All Posts, Cats, Do It Yourself