Homemade Cat Food Your Feline Friend Will Love

Homemade cat food offers many advantages, from improving your cat’s health to saving you money on expensive store bought cat food. Let's take a look at some easy homemade cat food recipes that will help keep your kitty healthy and happy.

The Benefits of Homemade Cat Food

Most commercially-prepared cat foods are formulated to meet the daily nutritional needs of the typical kitten or adult cat. Commercial cat food offers pre-packaged convenience, with no need to gather and prepare ingredients separately. However, you may find it hard to figure out exactly what's in that food just by reading the label, and whether the food contains additives that your cat could do without. Additionally, the price of cat food continues to rise along with the prices of other grocery products.

Making your own homemade cat food can offer a cost-effective solution. When you buy and cook the ingredients yourself, you know exactly what your cat is eating. By buying, preparing, and storing the ingredients in bulk, you’ll lower the cost to a fraction of what you'd pay for a pre-made product.

What You Should Know Before You Start

Unlike commercial formulations, homemade cat food food may or may not include all the nutrients your cat needs for optimal health. Some of the recipes below note which nutrients you may need to add to the food to make it nutritionally sound. Even so, you should consult your veterinarian to find out whether your kitty could benefit from specific supplements, and in what quantities. If your cat has a known food sensitivity or allergy, you'll need to keep that in mind as well. 

5 Homemade Cat Food Recipes

Your cat may be delighted to play the role of test subject as you lavish it with various homemade delights. Try these recipes for starters.

Raw Meats for Your Little Carnivore

Cats are carnivores that depend on meat for all their essential nutrients -- and of course, cats in the wild don't cook their meat first. This raw meat recipe simulates a prey-based diet. Simply chop up a combination of lean red and white meats, organ meats, bone meats, and a bit of fish. Supplement this mixture with B-vitamins, vitamin E, psyllium husk, kelp powder, and chelated manganese, plus select minerals per your vet's advice.

Baked Chicken Thighs for Poultry Fans

Cats enjoy cooked meat just as much as raw meat, as you'll see when you make this chicken thigh recipe. After baking three pounds of chicken thighs and removing the meat from the bones, run the meat through a grinder. You can add a few ounces of liver if your cat likes it. Combine egg whites, water, and fish oil in a mixing bowl (quick tip: you can cut open fish oil capsules if you don’t have a whole bottle on hand).  Don't forget to add the other supplements listed here. Mix it all up, and you've got an amazing feline entree that stores well in the fridge.

Beef and Barley for Protein and Fiber

Even though cats are carnivores, their digestive systems can still benefit from a certain amount of plant fiber -- which this recipe provides with just 20 minutes of prep time. Cook and drain seven ounces of beef, chop the beef up, and then mix it in a bowl with one egg yolk and one tablespoon of barley powder.

Chicken and Peas, if You Please

Peas provide another good source of plant fiber for cats, while healthy oils provide additional benefits. You can make this recipe with either omega-3-rich salmon oil or ordinary olive oil. Start by cooking seven ounces of fresh or frozen chicken thoroughly. At the same time, cook 3.5 ounces of fresh peas (or have your pre-cooked peas ready on the kitchen counter). Chop or puree the cooked chicken, mix in the peas and oil, and it's dinner time for your cat.

Cat-Friendly Gravy to Encourage Picky Eaters

If you're having trouble encouraging your cat to dig into these feasts, or if you just want to make its kibble more appealing, try this delicious gravy. Place unseasoned cuts of meat into a stock pot, fill the pot with water until the meat is submerged, and then bring it to a boil. Once you have a moderate boil going, reduce the heat and simmer for two to three hours. Drizzle the gravy over your cat's food, and watch what happens!

Remember to Get Your Vet's Approval

As mentioned above, cat food must provide a healthy nutritional balance in addition to irresistible flavors. Be sure to run any homemade cat food recipes past your veterinarian before embarking on your new cat food journey. Your vet can advise you on the specific nutritional supplements your cat may need while also helping you navigate challenges such as allergies to specific proteins. Bon appetit to your feline friend!