Make your own grain-free cat treats

Are you looking for a healthy treat for your cat? Commercial cat snacks are often full of sugar and grains, which is not always the best for your cat's health.

With simple ingredients like lean organic ground meat, eggs and brewer's yeast, you can make healthy treats without grains and sugar in no time.

In this article you will find simple recipes and useful tips to offer your cat homemade snacks that are not only delicious but also healthy.

Why grain and sugar free cat treats?

Cats are carnivores by nature , and their digestive systems are not designed to process large amounts of grains or sugar, which is why grain- and sugar-free cat treats are a healthier alternative . These snacks can help reduce the risk of obesity and diabetes because they do not contain empty calories.

In addition, making your own cat treats offers some clear advantages :

• You have full control over the ingredients and can ensure that they are high quality and safe.
• You can take allergies or intolerances into account and thus protect your cat's health.
• It is a cost-effective and sustainable way to make your cat happy.

Homemade treats are not only a sign of love and care for your cat, but also a great way to provide them with the nutrients they need . By choosing meat, fish or other protein-rich ingredients, you can create snacks that meet your cat's natural nutritional needs while providing variety.

Choosing the right ingredients for healthy cat snacks

Choosing the right ingredients is crucial if you want to make healthy grain-free cat treats yourself. High-quality proteins such as lean meat and fish are essential for a cat's diet. These should always form the basis of the snacks because they provide essential amino acids and fats that your cat needs.

In addition to animal products, you can also add selected vegetables . However, these should only be used in small quantities, as cats are carnivores and can only utilize plant substances to a limited extent. Nevertheless, vegetables such as carrots or zucchini can provide a healthy addition and variety.

When buying ingredients, pay attention to quality and origin . Organic products and quality seals such as the MSC seal for fish products are indicators of sustainable and healthy options. This way you can be sure that you are not only making your cat happy, but also supporting its health.

Meat, fish and vegetables: the basis for healthy snacks

Meat and fish are the main characters in your cat's diet and therefore the best ingredients for healthy cat snacks. They are rich in important nutrients such as proteins and omega-3 fatty acids, which ensure a shiny coat and good health.

Vegetables are another great ingredient for cat treats. They provide vitamins and can serve as a source of fiber. Examples of suitable vegetables include:

• Broccoli.
• carrots.
• Zucchini.
• Boiled potatoes (in small quantities).

When preparing treats, make sure that meat and fish are well cooked and finely chopped to avoid the risk of bones and fish bones. Vegetables should be cooked and pureed to make them easier for your cat to digest.

You should avoid these ingredients

Some ingredients can be harmful to cats and should be avoided when making cat treats. These include sugar and grains , which are not part of a cat's natural diet and can cause digestive problems.

Also to be avoided are:

• Artificial additives.
• flavor enhancers.
• preservatives.
• Dairy products containing lactose.
• Raw pork.
• Avocado and onion plants.

Also make sure that you do not use seasoned or marinated meat products . These can contain ingredients that are unhealthy for your cat. Fresh and natural ingredients are always the best choice for your pet's health.

Simple recipes for homemade cat treats

Homemade cat treats are a fantastic way to give your cat a healthy and tasty treat. With no grains or sugar, you can be sure that the snacks are good for your cat. With simple recipes that only require a few ingredients, the treats are ready in no time.

The great thing about homemade treats is that you know exactly what's in them. High-quality proteins like tuna or chicken are the basis and provide your cat with important nutrients. This way you can make treats that are not only delicious but also nutritious.

Here are two simple recipes that you can try at home. Whether as a reward or simply as a sign of your love - your cat will surely love the homemade treats. And the best thing is: you don't need any unusual ingredients or a lot of time.

Recipe: Tuna Treats Without Grains

For the grain-free tuna treats you only need three ingredients : a can of tuna in its own juice, an egg and some coconut flour. This combination ensures a high protein content and a grain-free snack option for your cat.

Preparation is simple: drain the tuna, mix with egg and coconut flour, form small bites and bake at 180°C. The healthy treats are ready in about 15 minutes and can be served to your cat after they have cooled down.

Recipe: Chicken treats for the healthy cat

The recipe for chicken treats is also straightforward. You need cooked chicken without skin and bones, an egg and some coconut flour. These ingredients make the treats a healthy snack for your cat.

First puree the chicken and then mix it with egg and coconut flour to form a mixture. Form small sticks and bake at 180°C until golden brown. After baking, the treats are ready to snack on and offer your cat a protein-rich reward.

Correct dosage: How many treats are healthy?

The amount of daily treats should always be proportionate to the weight and activity of your cat. As a rule of thumb, around 10% of your cat's daily calorie requirement can consist of treats. For an averagely active cat weighing 4 kg, this corresponds to around 12 to 15 grams of treats per day.

It is important to adjust the main meals when giving treats to avoid obesity . Pay attention to the feeding recommendations of the manufacturers and take into account:

• activity level of the cat.
• your body weight.
• Special needs such as allergies or illnesses.

How to store homemade cat treats properly

Homemade cat treats are a great way to spoil your four-legged friend. However, to ensure that they stay fresh and tasty for a long time, proper storage is crucial. Dry snacks are best stored in screw-top jars or airtight containers that you place in a cool, dry place.

The refrigerator is the right place for moist treats. They will keep for a few days there. If you want to keep the treats fresh for a longer period of time, you can also freeze them. A tip: put a bag of rice in there, this will attract excess moisture and prevent mold from forming.

Creative presentation of treats for your cat

The presentation of the homemade treats can be just as important as their preparation. To improve your cat's eating experience, you can, for example, hide the treats in a small, homemade Advent calendar or place them as a reward in a toy that the cat has to open first.

Another creative idea is to drape the treats on a homemade feeding tree so that your cat can playfully hunt for its snacks. Or you can arrange the treats in an interactive feeding bowl that encourages your cat's dexterity and hunting instinct.

Avoid common mistakes when making cat treats

When making cat treats at home, it is easy to make mistakes that can affect your cat's health. A common mistake is using unsuitable ingredients. It is important that you do not use ingredients that are harmful to cats, such as onions, chocolate or avocado. Too much salt is also not good for your cat, so you should make sure that all ingredients are cat-friendly and in the right amounts.

Another mistake is storing homemade treats incorrectly , which can quickly lead to mold growth. To ensure that the snacks remain safe and healthy, they should be kept in airtight containers and stored in a cool place. If you are making larger quantities, you can also freeze the treats and thaw them when needed. Make sure the treats are completely cool before storing them to avoid condensation and the associated mold growth.

Seasonal variations for varied snacks

Cats are curious creatures and love variety, including in their snacks. To make cat treats interesting, you can use seasonal ingredients . In spring, for example, fresh herbs like catnip or parsley are suitable, while in summer you can offer fresh fruit like watermelon (without seeds!). In autumn, pumpkin and apples are great seasonal ingredients and in winter you can use dried fish or meats, which you may also want to bake as a Christmas snack for your cat.

Here are some recipe ideas for seasonal cat treats:

• Spring : Catnip Cookies with Tuna
• Summer : Frozen melon balls (small enough not to be swallowed)
• Autumn : Pumpkin Chicken Bites
• Winter : Gingerbread cookies with chicken (without real gingerbread spices!) Remember that all ingredients must be safe for cats and should be given in moderation to ensure your cat has a varied and healthy diet .

Cat treats as a training aid and bonding aid

Homemade cat treats are not only a healthy snack, but also an effective tool in training your cat. In clicker training, for example, the treats can be used as an instant reward to reinforce positive behavior. This helps your cat to learn quickly and enjoy training.

But the emotional bond between you and your cat also benefits from homemade snacks. If you regularly give your cat treats that you have prepared with love, it will associate feeding time with positive emotions . This strengthens your trust and your relationship with each other.

Flappie: The intelligent solution for your house cat

Have you heard of Flappie , the smart cat flap that is revolutionizing the lives of cat owners? Flappie offers selective access control that prevents your cat from bringing prey such as mice and birds into the house. Thanks to the modern camera with AI technology, Flappie reliably detects prey and thus ensures a clean and prey-free home.

The Flappie app perfectly complements the intelligent cat flap. With it, you can conveniently control all the cat flap settings from your smartphone and receive push notifications, videos and statistics about your cat. This way, you are always up to date with everything that's happening with your house cat and can be sure that your home remains free of unwanted prey. Find out more at flappie.ch and experience how Flappie makes living with your cat easier.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can you give cats as treats?

You can give your cat homemade snacks as treats that consist of high-quality proteins such as lean meat and fish. Selected vegetables in small quantities, such as broccoli, carrots, zucchini and boiled potatoes, are also suitable. It is important that the treats are grain- and sugar-free and do not contain harmful ingredients such as artificial additives, flavor enhancers, preservatives, lactose-containing dairy products, raw pork, avocado and onions.

What is a treat for cats?

A cat treat is a healthy snack that you can make yourself. For example, you can bake tuna treats using a can of tuna in its own juice, an egg and some coconut flour. Or you can make chicken treats using boiled chicken without skin and bones, an egg and coconut flour. These treats are not only delicious but also nutritious and provide your cat with important nutrients.

How many treats can a cat have per day?

The amount of daily treats should be about 10% of your cat's daily calorie needs. For an averagely active cat weighing 4 kg, this corresponds to about 12 to 15 grams of treats per day. It is important to adjust the main meals accordingly to avoid obesity and ensure a balanced diet.