Celebrate International Cat Day with Homemade Treats
There's never a need to convince your cat that he or she is perfect. Ever. They already know it in their furry souls. You can thank them every day for guarding the apartment, kiss them on the head and give him plenty of love and attention. Still, whenever you really want to show your little furball how much you love them, there is only one best way — treats. And nothing shows your love more than whipping up a batch of homemade kitty goodies.
Keep Health In Mind
Make sure you keep your kitty's health in mind when you're giving treats. It's easy to forget that a treat here and there adds calories to your cat's diet. Make sure you consider how treats fit into your cat's overall diet, and if you're treating your cat often, make changes to its regular food as needed.
Research Ingredients
Now, we may as well admit it – nothing is good enough for a cat. Cats are transcendent beings, and no food intended for mere mortals can ever truly suit them. However, we must work with what we have. Before you make any recipe for homemade cat treats, thoroughly research the ingredients. Make sure everything is good and safe for cats.
In the same vein, never experiment in your cat-treat cooking without checking the ingredient first. Many common kitchen ingredients that are perfectly fine for humans are terrible for cats. For example, onion, garlic or even chocolate can both make cats sick and even be deadly in large quantities. When in doubt about a particular item, check with your vet.
Pet and Play
Remember: Treats should not and cannot replace love and attention. Cats will love your homemade treats, but they still need lots of mental and social stimulation to be truly happy. Make sure you play with your kitty at least once a day.
Treats can be part of play! For example, you can purchase a treat puzzle toy, or make one yourself using a soda bottle – simply cut some paw-sized holes in the bottle, and drop in a treat. The fewer holes you include, the trickier the puzzle will be. Your cat will have tons of fun figuring out how to get the treat out, and afterward, it will have a homemade snack!
Chicken and Catnip Crunchies
Combine a cup of flour, a can of shredded chicken, an egg, a tablespoon of olive oil, and a tablespoon of catnip in a blender or food processor. Blend the ingredients until they're fully mixed together, then scoop out cat-bite-sized dollops onto a greased cookie sheet. Pop the sheet into the oven heated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes, or until brown.
Once the treats are done, let them cool. When they're totally cooled, you can offer them to your favorite feline (or felines). The combination of catnip and chicken will create a scent that's sure to drive your furry friends wild, and they'll absolutely love the flavor. Store these treats in a closed container in the fridge for up to a week.
Cheesy Bites
If your cat's always sniffing around your cheese, it will absolutely love some cheesy bites. Mix a cup of flour, a cup of cheddar cheese, a half cup of parmesan, and a single egg together in a bowl or food processor. Scoop and separate the bites, and bake them for 10-15 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove them from the oven and let the bites cool.
Same deal as the chicken crunchies: Make sure your treats are fully cooled before you let your cat chow down. While these treats are perfectly cat-safe, they're only cat-healthy in small batches. Only give your cat one or two of these bad boys a day, even though it will definitely want more.
