You can make cat treats from canned cat food by spreading plain pâté-style food thinly and baking it until dry and crisp, or by shaping it into small bites and baking. Use a plain, complete-and-balanced canned food with no onion or garlic, keep treats to about 10 percent of daily calories, and store them in the fridge.
What you need
- One small can (about 3 ounces) of plain pâté-style cat food, in a flavor your cat likes, such as chicken, turkey or fish
- Parchment paper and a baking sheet
- A butter knife or silicone spatula
- Optional: one egg and a spoonful of plain, whole-wheat flour for a firmer dough
Recipe 1: Crunchy pâté chips
- Heat the oven to about 250 °F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Spread the pâté in a very thin layer, about one-eighth inch thick. Score it into small squares with a knife.
- Bake for about 30 to 45 minutes, until the surface is dry and the chips feel firm. Thinner chips dry faster.
- Cool completely, break along the lines and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Recipe 2: Soft snack triangles
- Mix the pâté with one egg and about two to three tablespoons of plain whole-wheat flour until it forms a thick, sticky dough.
- Drop tiny spoonfuls, or press the dough flat and cut it into small triangles.
- Bake at 350 °F for about 12 to 15 minutes, until firm. Cooked egg is important because raw egg can carry Salmonella.
- Cool and refrigerate. Because these are moister than the chips, use them within about 3 to 4 days or freeze them.
Recipe 3: Frozen bites
Spoon small dabs of plain pâté onto a tray, freeze, and store the frozen bites in a sealed bag. Offer one or two as a cool treat. This is the quickest option and needs no baking.
Safety rules
- Check the ingredients. Do not use any food with onion, garlic, chives, grapes, raisins, chocolate, xylitol or added salt. Gravy mixes and human sauces often contain onion or garlic.
- Do not make cat gravy from meat drippings. It is too fatty and salty and may contain seasoning.
- Keep treats small. They should be no more than about 10 percent of daily calories. A few small bites is plenty for most cats.
- Cut for size. Pieces should be small enough that your cat cannot choke.
- Watch for allergies. If your cat vomits or has loose stools, stop and call your vet.
- Special diets. Cats with kidney disease, diabetes or food allergies need treats approved by a vet.
Storage
Crisp chips can last about a week in the refrigerator in a sealed container. Anything soft should be used within a few days or frozen. Throw out treats that smell sour or show mold.
For more on feeding, see what adult cats eat and homemade food for pregnant cats.
Bottom Line
Plain canned pâté makes easy homemade cat treats when you bake it thin or freeze it into bites. Avoid onion, garlic and seasonings, keep treats small, and ask your vet before giving homemade treats to a cat with health problems.
This is general information, not veterinary advice.
