How to Make Cat Treats at Home: Simple, Safe Recipes

Homemade cat treats let you control exactly what goes into your cat's food — no artificial preservatives, no mystery ingredients, and no fillers. They're also surprisingly easy to make. Here's everything you need to know.

What Cats Can and Can't Eat

Before making treats, understand the basics of feline nutrition:

Safe ingredients: Cooked chicken, turkey, salmon, tuna, sardines, cooked eggs, plain cooked pumpkin, cooked carrots

Never use: Onions, garlic, chives, grapes, raisins, chocolate, xylitol, macadamia nuts, raw dough, alcohol, caffeine

Cats are obligate carnivores — their treats should be primarily protein-based. Avoid recipes with large amounts of carbohydrates or plant-based fillers.

Basic Salmon Treat Recipe

Ingredients:

1 can of salmon (drained, no salt added)
1 egg
2 tablespoons whole wheat flour (or oat flour)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
Mix all ingredients into a dough
Press into a Cat Treat Silicone Fish Mold (112 cavities, food-grade) or roll out and cut into small pieces
Bake for 10–12 minutes until firm
Cool completely before serving
Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months

Tuna Crunchies Recipe

Ingredients:

1 can of tuna in water (drained)
1 egg
1/4 cup oat flour
1 tablespoon catnip (optional)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F
Mix all ingredients
Drop small amounts onto a lined baking sheet or use the fish mold
Bake 10–12 minutes until golden and firm
Cool completely before serving

Chicken Puree Frozen Treats

Ingredients:

Cooked, plain chicken breast (no seasoning)
Low-sodium chicken broth

Instructions:

Blend chicken and broth to a smooth puree
Pour into ice cube trays or the fish mold
Freeze until solid
Serve one cube at a time as a cooling treat

The Right Mold Makes a Difference

The Cat Treat Silicone Fish Mold has 112 mini fish-shaped cavities — perfect for making small, portion-appropriate treats in bulk. It's food-grade silicone, easy to clean, and comes with a scraper for smooth filling. The fish shape is a fun touch that cats don't care about but owners love.

Portion Guidelines

Treats should make up no more than 10% of your cat's daily caloric intake. For most cats, that's 2–5 small treats per day. If you're also using commercial treats like Friskies Party Mix Natural YUMS, account for those in the daily total.

Final Thoughts

Homemade cat treats are a great way to bond with your cat and ensure treat quality. Start with the salmon recipe — it's simple, cats love it, and it freezes well for batch preparation.

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