5 healthy homemade cat food recipes

Ever taken a look at the ingredients list on your furry feline’s food? There’s probably at least one thing in there that makes you think “What on earth is that?!” (yes, we’re using the word “thing” here intentionally). On top of that, the cost of cat food has skyrocketed over the years, which is enough to have you wondering what it is you’re shelling out all that cash for.

The answer? Homemade cat food! Making cat food at home means you get to decide exactly what goes into your furry friend’s tummy – all the good stuff without any of the nasties. Not only is it healthier for most of our purr pals, but it’s also much cheaper to make your own cat food.

So whether you’re suspicious about what your feline friend’s eating or you want a little more bang for your buck, here are five homemade cat food recipes that will make your mouth water.

5 homemade cat food recipes

These recipes for homemade cat food are both nutritious and delicious, perfect for kitties without any health issues or special dietary needs. That being said, you should always check with your veterinarian before changing your cat’s diet to make sure it’s the right move for your furry friend. 

Rice and chicken feast (from Get Set Pet)

This is one of our favorite vet-approved homemade cat food recipes because our purr pals tend to love anything with chicken.  

Ingredients:

• 1 boneless chicken breast
• 1/4 cup cooked rice
• 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth 
• 1/4 cup cooked carrots, mashed
• 1/4 cup cooked peas, mashed

Instructions:

1. Boil the chicken breast until it’s cooked through (this usually takes around 10 minutes) then shred it into small, bite-sized pieces.
2. Mix the cooked rice, chicken broth, carrots, and peas in a big bowl.
3. Add the shredded chicken to the rice mixture and combine.
4. Leave to cool before serving it up!

Easy salmon (from Catster) 

This homemade cat food recipe is quick and easy to make (and might even be good enough for you to eat, too!). 

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked salmon boneless
• 2 tbsp steamed broccoli
• 2 tbsp fish oil
• 2 boiled eggs

Instructions:

1. Combine the ingredients in a bowl or food processor.
2. Blend until the mixture is combined. If you don’t have a food processor, use your hands to make sure the ingredients are mixed well. 
3. Divide your homemade cat food into portions and store in the fridge or freezer.

Rabbit and poultry picnic (from Cat Info)

This recipe for homemade cat food is packed full of vitamins and minerals to keep your furry friend happy and healthy.

Ingredients:

• 2 to 2.25 lbs ground rabbit
• 75 to 1 lbs boneless chicken or turkey, cut into chunks
• 1 cup water
• 2 eggs (soft boiled for 3-4 minutes)
• 5000-10,000 mg fish oil 
• 268 mg Vitamin E
• 50 mg Vitamin B 
• 2,000 mg powdered taurine
• ½ tsp salt with iodine

Instructions:

1. Mix the ground rabbit with the chicken or turkey chunks. 
2. Whisk together the water, eggs, supplements, and salt to create a slurry. 
3. Use your hands to combine the slurry with the meat products. 
4. Portion out the mixture and keep it in the fridge for 48-72 hours or freeze. 

Raw cat food with chicken and salmon (from Health, Home, and Happiness)

If your furry feline’s on a raw-food-based diet, this is the purr-fect recipe for them! Make sure you get good quality animal products and take care with the bones. 

Ingredients:

• 24 oz raw chicken wings (bone-in, skin-on)
• 3.2 oz raw salmon (with bones)
• 3.2 oz raw chicken heart
• 1.6 oz raw beef kidney
• 1.6 oz raw chicken liver
• 1 whole egg, raw (with shell)
• 1 tsp taurine 
• 2 cups water
  

Instructions:

1. Use a high-powered food processor or a meat grinder to blend together the chicken and salmon. Take great care not to leave any bone fragments.
2. Puree the organ meats together with the water, then mix into the meat mixture along with the taurine and egg. 
3. Split it into portions and refrigerate or freeze.
4.  

Fisherman’s delight (from Get Set Pet)

This simple but tasty recipe for cat food is filled with essential fatty acids to support your furry friend’s health. 

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup tinned tuna (drained)
• 1/4 cup cooked salmon flakes
• 1/4 cup cooked quinoa
• 1 tbsp fish oil (optional)
  

Instructions:

1. Combine the tuna, salmon, and quinoa in a mixing bowl.
2. Add your fish oil at this point, if using. 
3. Mix well to make sure the ingredients are evenly distributed. Then it’s ready to serve!

These delicious cat food recipes have been tried and tested by pet parents online (links included) but that doesn’t mean they’ll be right for your precious purr pal’s palette. Before whipping up any homemade food for cats, remember to chat with your vet to ensure your culinary creations will give your cat all the essential nutrients they need. 

Pros of homemade cat food

Homemade cat food can be a better bet than your average commercial cat food, here’s why:

• It may be more nutritious.
• You have more control over your furry friend’s diet. 
• It uses fresher ingredients.
• Most recipes are easy to freeze.  
• It’s typically cheaper than buying cat food.
• It produces less waste and is therefore better for the environment (less packaging).

Cons of homemade cat food

That doesn’t mean a homemade diet doesn’t have any downsides, though:

• Preparing homemade cat food takes more time.
• It can be difficult to balance nutrition without guidance from the vet.
• These recipes are not designed for cats with specific health conditions or dietary requirements.
• As it’s fresh, homemade food can go off quicker than processed ones.
• Although it usually works out cheaper in the long run, for some recipes, you may need to invest in costly ingredients or utensils.

Now you know how to make your own cat food, why not share your creations with us over on the Community Forum? Connect with pet parents, cat sitters, and fellow furry feline lovers to exchange tips, find advice, and share support in our friendly community.