Cat Care

10 Vet-Approved Homemade Cat Food Recipes

DR. Emma

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Are you looking to treat your feline friend to nutritious, wholesome meals made right in your kitchen? Homemade cat food can be a fantastic way to control ingredients, ensure freshness, and cater to your cat’s specific dietary needs. These recipes are drawn from vet-reviewed sources and emphasize balanced nutrition, but remember: always consult your veterinarian before switching your cat’s diet, especially if they have health conditions. Homemade diets require careful balancing to avoid deficiencies, so consider using premixes or supplements as recommended.

In this blog, we’ll explore 10 easy-to-make recipes, complete with ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and tips. Whether your cat prefers raw or cooked, meat-heavy or with a touch of veggies, there’s something here to make mealtime exciting!

1. Raw Ground Rabbit Recipe

This raw recipe uses a premix for balance and is ideal for cats who thrive on a natural, bone-in diet.

Ingredients:

  • Whole rabbit (with bone and organs)

Instructions:

  1. Cut the meat off the rabbit carcass and chop it into 1-inch pieces.
  2. Chop or crush the bones into pieces small enough to feed through your meat grinder.
  3. Grind the meat, bones, and organs into a bowl.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together the Alnutrin premix and water (follow premix package for amounts).
  5. Stir the mixture into the ground rabbit, divide into portions, and freeze.

Nutritional Notes: High in protein (65.3% dry matter), low carbs. Use Alnutrin premix to ensure completeness. Yields vary; adjust for your cat’s size.

2. Turkey Breast and Sweet Potato Recipe

A cooked option with veggies for added fiber, perfect for cats needing a gentler meal.

Ingredients:

  • 3 ⅜ oz. turkey breast, cooked
  • 1 ⅝ tsp canola oil
  • ⅖ ml Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Pet Liquid
  • 5/16 cup baked sweet potato
  • ⅛ tsp iodized salt
  • ¾ tsp Balance IT Carnivore Blend premix

Instructions:

  1. Roast turkey to 165°F internal temperature.
  2. Bake sweet potato until tender, scoop flesh.
  3. Chop turkey finely.
  4. Mix sweet potato and turkey.
  5. Add supplements and stir.
  6. Divide and refrigerate or freeze.

Nutritional Notes: About 265 calories per batch. Protein-focused with carbs for energy. Great for weight management.

3. Cooked Meat Recipe with Premix

Versatile for various lean meats like beef or turkey—slow-cooked for tenderness.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb ground lean meat (e.g., beef, fat skimmed)
  • EZComplete Fur Cats premix (per package)
  • ¼ cup water per lb meat

Instructions:

  1. Place meat in slow cooker with water.
  2. Cook on low 4-6 hours.
  3. Cool, shred or chop.
  4. Mix in premix thoroughly.
  5. Portion and store.

Nutritional Notes: 85% protein (dry matter). Use premix for vitamins; vary meats for variety.

4. Ground Chicken Thigh with Bone and Organs

A comprehensive raw recipe mimicking a prey model.

Ingredients:

  • 5 lbs chicken thighs (skin and bone)
  • 7 oz raw chicken liver
  • 14 oz raw chicken heart
  • 8 oz water
  • 4 raw egg yolks
  • 2000 mg taurine
  • 4000 mg salmon oil
  • 200 mg Vitamin B Complex
  • 200 IU Vitamin E
  • 1 ½ tsp lite iodized salt
  • 4 tsp psyllium husk

Instructions:

  1. Remove skin from half thighs, bone from 20-25%.
  2. Cut meat/organs into pieces, crush bones.
  3. Grind all with oil capsules.
  4. Whisk eggs and supplements, mix in.
  5. Portion and freeze.

Nutritional Notes: Balanced with 53.53% protein. Includes fiber for digestion.

5. Prey Model Raw Diet

Multi-protein raw blend with supplements for completeness.

Ingredients:

  • 220g white meat (chicken/turkey)
  • 220g red meat (beef/lamb)
  • 100g hearts
  • 100g gizzards/tongue
  • 100g necks
  • 100g wings/bones
  • 15g chicken liver
  • 15g beef liver
  • 70g other organs
  • 30g sardines
  • 30g anchovies
  • Supplements: manganese, kelp, psyllium, Vitamin E, B-complex, etc.

Instructions:

  1. Chop and grind ingredients.
  2. Mix per ratios.
  3. Use calculator for portions/supplements.
  4. Freeze extras.

Nutritional Notes: 80/10/10 ratio; 57.09% protein. Customize with vet input.

6. Cat Omelet

A quick, egg-based treat with veggies—great as a supplement.

Ingredients:

  • 1 tbsp nonfat dry milk
  • 3 medium eggs
  • 3 tbsp dry-curd cottage cheese
  • 2 tbsp sprouts/veggies
  • Daily supplements

Instructions:

  1. Mix milk with water, beat with eggs.
  2. Cook in skillet until bottom sets.
  3. Add cheese, veggies, supplements; fold and serve. Or scramble all.

Nutritional Notes: About 1 cup yield. Protein-rich; add supplements for balance.

7. Tasty Tofu

Vegetarian-friendly with cheese and seeds for a unique twist.

Ingredients:

  • 6 oz tofu
  • 3 tbsp grated cheese
  • 2 tbsp sunflower seeds
  • 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
  • 1 tbsp veggies
  • Supplements

Instructions:

  1. Blend all, adding liquid for consistency. Or mash by hand.

Nutritional Notes: 1.5 cups yield. Good for variety; consult vet for plant-based diets.

8. Lean Meat ‘n’ Eggs

Simple mix of meat, rice, and eggs.

Ingredients:

  • 2 medium eggs
  • ¼ cup organ/lean meat
  • 1/3 cup cooked brown rice
  • 1 tbsp veggies
  • Supplements

Instructions:

  1. Scramble eggs with supplements (cook meat if desired).
  2. Mix in rest and serve.

Nutritional Notes: 1 cup yield. Balanced with grains for energy.

9. Easy Homemade Turkey and Pumpkin Pate

Cooked pate with optional eggs for extra nutrition.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb turkey
  • Coconut oil
  • 2 eggs (optional)
  • 1 cup broth
  • 2-4 tbsp pumpkin
  • 2-4 tbsp HVB Feline premix
  • 1/2 HVB Omega-3
  • Optional greens/carrots

Instructions:

  1. Brown turkey in oil.
  2. Add eggs, broth, pumpkin.
  3. Mix in premix, oil; blend.

Nutritional Notes: 5-6 days for average cat. Cost-effective and chemical-free.

10. Raw Turkey and Pumpkin Recipe

Raw version for cats preferring uncooked meals.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • 3/4 cup pumpkin
  • 2 tbsp coconut oil
  • 2 tbsp greens (optional)
  • 2 tbsp HVB Feline Blend
  • 1/2 tsp HVB Omega-3

Instructions:

  1. Mix non-meat ingredients.
  2. Combine with turkey and greens.
  3. Portion, freeze in muffin tins.

Nutritional Notes: 1.5 lbs yield. High moisture for hydration; use low-fat sources.

Switching to homemade cat food can enhance your bond with your pet while providing tailored nutrition. Start small, monitor your cat’s health, and enjoy the purrs of approval! For more tips, check with a veterinary nutritionist.

About

DR. Emma

Hi, I’m Dr. Emma, the heart and soul behind BarkMeowMentor.com! As a passionate pet doctor and certified pet trainer with over six years of experience, I’ve dedicated my career to helping dogs and cats live happier, healthier lives. From my early days working in veterinary clinics to training countless furry friends, I’ve honed practical, compassionate strategies to address everything from puppy obedience to cat behavior quirks.

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