Homemade Catfood Recipes

People have many options when it comes to feeding their precious feline friends. Grocery stores, discount department stores and specialty pet stores offer a wide variety of food brands and meal choices. Purchased cat food is easy and convenient for pet owners but may lack vital nutrients. To ensure cats get the proper amount of protein, carbohydrates and vitamins, many cat owners opt for making pet food at home.

  1. Cat Nutrition

    • Nutrition tops the list as the main reason many cat owners make their cat food at home. According to PetGrub.com, "It has been said that 90 percent of health problems begin as a result of poor nutrition or a lack of nutrition at some point in the life of the pet..." Cats that do not get enough vitamins and nutrients from meals may seek food elsewhere, develop behavior problems or develop health problems. PetGrub recommends feeding pets food that is as close to nature as possible.

      Cats require large amounts of protein to function effectively. Conversely, food that is high in carbohydrates may lead to digestive problems. Using a recipe that contains the proper amount of protein and carbohydrates can help stave off digestive disorders, diabetes, allergies and obesity.

      One way to ensure pets eat nutritious food is to make it at home. With a few ingredients, a stove and a refrigerator for storage, pet owners can make several days of food at once and heat it as needed.

    Cat Food Recipes

    • Andi Brown, author of The Whole Pet Diet and founder of the Halo Purely for Pets website, offers a number of cat food recipes. One nutrient-rich dish is Salmon and Veggie Patties. To make it, combine equal amounts of chopped green beans, sweet potatoes, zucchini and yellow squash in a sauce pan. Add ½ cup of water and bring to a boil. Add ½ pound of salmon, cover the pan and steam the food until the fish flakes with a fork (about five minutes). Cool the mixture. Add ¼ cup of orange juice, 1 tsp. of yogurt and Parmesan cheese and blend it in a food processor. The finished product can be shaped into patties and stored in a refrigerator up to three days.

      Another recipe calls for mixing together ¼ pound of chicken liver, 1¼ pounds of ground turkey, ½ pound each of yellow squash and celery, and 1 tbsp. of kelp powder in a large pot. Add enough spring water to cover the ingredients. Bring the mixture to a boil, lower the heat and simmer the food for half an hour. Then allow it to cool. Blend it in a food processor and divide it into serving-size portions. The recipe can be stored in baggies in a refrigerator and must be frozen or used within three days.

    Introducing Homemade Cat Food

    • Some cats may balk when presented with homemade cat food. This has nothing to do with its taste. Cats are creatures of habit and are not fans of change. Iams recommends introducing new food slowly and over a period of several days. Begin by feeding 75 percent of the cat's regular food mixed with 25 percent of the homemade cat food. Gradually increase the amount of homemade cat food until it becomes your cat's new eating routine.