Make Your Own Cat Food

If you have a cat who will only eat one type of cat food, or if you have a cat who is always rummaging for food to eat, you may have a picky eater who would enjoy more variety in their 9 lives. Here are a few food ideas you can make yourself to serve your kitty and keep your feline healthy and happy, and certainly well-fed!

Since cats need a lot more protein in their diets than dogs, it is important to incorporate healthy meats into their diet. A tasty meat choice for cats (beyond tuna fish) is chicken, boiled to well-cooked and chopped finely. Don’t add anything to the chicken as it cooks and cut away any fats that float to the surface. A great cat food alternative or a treat to pour over their existing dry food is a combination of carrots, chicken, and rice.

Simply boil 1/2 cup chicken and 1/4 cup rice, along with a carrot chopped finely in a cup of water until the rice has cooked completely. Most of the water should be evaporated out, and you may need to add more water to allow the rice to cook completely. Once cooked, remove from the stove and add a teaspoon of olive oil (for digestion and a healthy coat- also helps with hairballs) and place in a blender and puree.

Your cat should lap this right up on top of their regular food, or it can be served to older cats as a “soft” dish. Many cats will eat this combination simply chopped rather than pureed or blended, and is an excellent, well-balanced meal.

You can also cook low-fat turkey, or mix tuna and rice. Chicken is best and cats rarely turn it down. Avoid canned tuna with a lot of sodium or additives, as this is not entirely healthy for your cat. Unseasoned meats are best.

Don’t give your cat milk; this will give them digestive issues, gas, and diarrhea. As will cream, yogurt, and any other dairy “treat” cats beg for but ultimately is just plain unhealthy for them.

Brown rice is best, but white rice or even instant rice will do. Your cat will get the nutrients from the meat and rice combined together for the most protein absorption.

Some cats will eat cooked broccoli, and my cat loves squash with olive oil on it. The key is to try a few different combos to see what your cat enjoys. Some love carrots, some will eat spinach. Whatever veggie your cat enjoys, mix with their meat and rice. With a few experiments, you will quickly learn what your cat loves.

To get your cat used to their new food, add cod liver oil to their homemade meal (a few drops to 1/2 teaspoon) to make it simply delectable. This tactic works to get your feline used to brand switching of their old cat food as well, and allows them to enjoy their new food sooner.