Easy Homemade Cat Treats Recipe
Looking for an easy homemade cat treats recipe that’s simple, wholesome, and made with ingredients you can trust? These treats are a great way to spoil your feline friend without reaching for store-bought options. They come together quickly, don’t require any fancy equipment, and can be customized to suit your cat’s preferences.
If you’re a pet lover like I am, you might also enjoy making a few goodies for the dogs in your life. I’ve shared some fun recipes on the blog, including Sweet Potato Dog Treats, Peanut Butter Bacon Pupcakes, and a Pumpkin Spice Latte for Dogs. They’re made with real ingredients and plenty of love — just like these cat treats.
Introduction
I’ve always believed that our pets deserve the same care and attention we give to the rest of the household — especially when it comes to what we put in their food bowls. That’s why I like to make treats at home whenever I can. It gives me peace of mind to know that I’m eliminating the long list of mystery ingredients found in so many store-bought options.
This cat treat recipe is simple, wholesome, and made with ingredients I feel good about. It’s a small way to show a little extra love to your feline friend — and it fits perfectly into the handmade, thoughtful lifestyle I try to live every day.
Why This Recipe Works
- Minimal, wholesome ingredients: With only canned chicken, an egg, and cornmeal, you’ll know exactly what’s in each treat — no hidden fillers or artificial colors.
- Protein-rich and satisfying: The chicken and egg combo delivers natural protein that align with a cat’s carnivorous dietary needs.
- Quick to make: It takes just a few minutes to mix up a batch. And they bake in under 10 minutes.
- Budget friendly: The ingredients used to make these treats are relatively inexpensive when compared with the price of store-bought cat treats.
- Soft texture cats adore – These treats stay soft and moist, making them easier for your cat to chew and enjoy.
Ingredients
This recipe uses just a few ingredients that are easy to find at any grocery store.
- Canned chicken: Canned chicken works well for this recipe because it’s soft and moist, and the liquid in the can adds just the right amount of moisture to bring the mixture together. If you’re using home cooked chicken instead, you’ll need to add water until the mixture is moist enough to hold its shape when scooped.
- Cornmeal – Yellow cornmeal gives these treats their shape and texture. While it doesn’t add nutritional value to the treats, it is needed to hold the mixture together. In small amounts, cornmeal is safe for cats — which makes these treats suitable as an occasional treat, not as a substitute for a complete diet.
See recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations or Substitutions
- Swap the protein: If your cat isn’t a fan of chicken, you can use any canned meat that’s safe for feline consumption. Always choose options packed in water without added seasoning.
- Use canned fish: Mackerel, salmon, sardines, tuna, and anchovies are widely available and cat-friendly. These are all great option if your kitty prefers seafood.
- Replace the cornmeal: Oat flour, wheat flour, or rice flour are all suitable options. Just be sure the flour you choose is safe for cats, and adjust the amount as needed to create a mixture that holds its shape when scooped.
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How To Make Homemade Cat Treats
These treats come together quickly with just a few simple steps. You’ll have a batch ready for your feline friend in just minutes.
Step 1 – Prepare the chicken: Place the canned chicken, including the liquid, in a medium bowl and mash it as finely as possible. You can use a fork for this step. But it’s easiest to use your hands.
Step 2 – Add remaining ingredients: Mix in the cornmeal and egg until all the ingredients are well combined.
Step 3 – Shape, score, and bake: Press the mixture into a parchment-lined cast iron pan or baking sheet, score it into small squares with a sharp knife, and bake at 350°F (177°C) for 3–4 minutes.
Step 4 – Rescore, bake, and cool: Remove the pan from the oven, refresh the score lines, and bake for another 3–4 minutes. Then transfer the parchment to a cooling rack, let the treats cool completely, and break them apart to serve or store.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can use chicken cooked from scratch. Just be sure to add enough water to make up for the moisture in canned chicken — the mixture should hold together easily when scooped.
These treats use simple ingredients that are generally safe, in small amounts, for most cats. However, every cat is different, so it’s always best to introduce new foods slowly and check with your vet if you have concerns.
Once completely cooled, store the treats in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’re best used within 5–7 days.
Yes, these treats freeze well and can be stored in a freezer-safe container for up to a month.
You can use a different flour if needed — oat flour, wheat flour, and rice flour all work well. Just make sure the flour you choose is safe for cats, and adjust the amount as needed to get the right consistency for shaping.
Serve
These treats are meant to be given to your feline friend as an occasional snack. They’re a great way to show your kitty a little extra love, but should always be offered in moderation. They should never be used as a replacement for a complete, balanced diet.
If the treats have been stored in the freezer, let them come to room temperature before giving them to your kitty — most cats enjoy them more that way, as it brings out their natural flavor. You can take a few out in the morning to thaw, or pull enough out for a few days and keep them in the fridge until you’re ready to serve them.
Expert Tips
- Use chicken in water: Avoid canned chicken packed in broth or with added salt or other seasonings for your cat’s safety.
- Mash chicken thoroughly: This will keep the texture as smooth as possible, making it easier to spread evenly.
- Don’t overbake: These treats are meant to stay soft — remove them from the oven before they start to brown.
- Freeze to increase shelf life: Freeze treats on a parchment lined baking sheet to prevent clumping. Then transfer them to a freezer-safe container for storage.
Homemade Cat Treats Recipe
Ingredients
- 5 oz canned chicken with juice
- 1/3 cup yellow corn meal
- 1 egg
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 350°F (177°C) to begin.
- Break down the chicken: Place the canned chicken with its juice into a small bowl. Use your hands to break it apart until it becomes a soft, mushy texture.
- Combine ingredients: Add cornmeal and the egg to the bowl. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
- Prepare baking surface: Line a cast iron skillet or baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Spread mixture: Press the treat mixture onto the lined surface, spreading to about ¼" thickness.
- Score treats: Use a knife to lightly score the mixture into small treat-sized pieces.
- First bake: Place in the oven and bake for 4 minutes.
- Cut through treats: Remove from oven and cut through the scored lines.
- Second bake: Return to oven for an additional 2–4 minutes. Do not allow the treats to brown.
- Cool on rack: Slide the parchment paper onto a cooling rack and allow the treats to cool completely.
- Serve and store: Let your cat enjoy a few warm from the oven, then transfer the rest to an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Video
Notes
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- Choose chicken packed in water: Avoid varieties packed in broth or with added salt or seasoning, as those ingredients may not be suitable for cats.
- Break down the meat well: Mash the chicken thoroughly so the mixture spreads smoothly in the pan and bakes evenly.
- Bake gently: These treats are meant to be soft. Do not allow them to brown before removing them from the oven.
- Freeze for longer storage: Freeze treats on a parchment-lined tray to freeze individually, then transfer them to a sealed container or bag.
- Bring to room temperature before serving: Thawed treats are more flavorful and enjoyable for most cats.
- Keep portions small: These treats are meant as an occasional reward and shouldn’t replace your cat’s regular diet.
Are they supposed to be soft, moist, not hard at all??
They are pretty soft. I wouldn’t say they aren’t ‘hard at all’. They may get a little crisp on the outside. But they are not hard like dry cat food would be.
These homemade cat treats are such a great way to spoil your feline friend with healthy, natural ingredients! It’s always nice to know exactly what’s in their snacks. If you try making them, I’d love to hear how your cat liked them! Drop a comment below to share or ask any questions — I’m happy to help!