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The joy of making cat treats

The joy of making cat treats

Posted by Patricia on 12th Nov 2022

I've been making birthday cakes and cookies for my dogs for years. But I have to admit I have never rustled up yummies for my cat because she is PICKY. But adding up pet food recalls from 2022 alone, I decided my girl would be better off with homemade treats.

I realized there were some things I knew about this topic and some I would have to research. For example, I knew certain human ingredients were poisonous to dogs and cats. And I knew that the two have different food tolerances.

So, before you start whipping up homemade cat treats, here are a few things you must know about ingredients:

1. Human foods poisonous to cats include green tomatoes, raw green potatoes, chocolate, grapes, raisins, avocado, alcohol, onions, and garlic.

2. Foods not poisonous to cats but, according to veterinarians, should be avoided if your cat has a medical condition or food intolerances, including meat trimmings, raw eggs, and caffeinated beverages.

3. Foods that are safe for kitty include thoroughly cooked lean meats (not seasoned with onions or garlic,) fish with the bones removed, hard-cooked eggs, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.

The Internet offers many cat treat recipes, so you'll have plenty of choices, like the ones from the ASPCA, cited below. Adapt any recipe to meet your cat's preferences, and you'll have a hit or two on your hands in no time. One of the best ways to make a treat that will bring the meows is to include ingredients you know your kitty likes. For example, my cat loves eggs, so anything I make for her will have bites of hard-boiled eggs. She also likes the taste of peanut butter which is great because that's another human ingredient safe for cats. Experiment with your feline to find the flavors she'll enjoy.

Here's one I often make for my girl and share with two friends who are also owned by cats.

Pumpkin Hisscuits

This recipe features pumpkin, a wonder ingredient for cats. First of all, most love the taste. Additionally, it's nutritionally terrific, high in fiber, and easy to make.

* Preheat your oven to 325 degrees

* Lightly grease a baking sheet and layer it with one cup of pumpkin seeds

* Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring the seeds up now and then

* Once the seeds are crunchy, cool them completely before serving

While we're talking ingredients, if you ever think your cat may have been poisoned by food or other substances, please call your veterinarian immediately. If emergency medical care is unavailable, contact the ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at 1-800-213-6680. (Charges may apply.)

Quote to remember: "The problem with cats is that they get the same exact look whether they see a moth or an ax-murderer." - Paula Poundstone

Sources:

The Spruce Pets

https://www.thesprucepets.com/homemade-cat-food-recipes-551946

"What You Need to Know About Homemade Cat Food"

ASPCA Pet Insurance

https://www.aspcapetinsurance.com/resources/3-simple-homemade-cat-treat-recipes/

"3 Simple Homemade Cat Treat Recipes"

Armarkat