Do you have a cat? A lot of people will tell you that cats are clean animals and this is true when you are talking about their physical hygiene. They take great care to groom and keep themselves clean. But when it comes to eating and using the litter box, I find their habits can be a little more messy. My cat can make huge messes but that doesn’t stop us from spoiling her. She has a cozy bed on each level of house and numerous cat toys. But being a cat, her favorite thing to do is eat. She recently got treated to some homemade cat treats and boy was she pleased! I made them using a few ingredients that you probably already have at home. Be sure to check out these Catnip Cat Treats recipe as well. Thanks to Bounty for sponsoring this post.
This post contains affiliate links. Please check with your vet before giving your pet these or any treats. We are not responsible for any issues that may incur from making these.
You can make this homemade cat treat dough in a bowl, but it whips up quickly in a food processor. If the dough appears to be too sticky, simply add more flour a tablespoon at a time.
This dough gets very sticky when you are rolling it out, so be sure to have extra flour on hand for dusting.
I’m going to let you in on a little secret to making these homemade cat treats. Use a bottle cap as a cookie cutter! The size is just right for making small treats for kitty.
My cat can eat these this size but they are also easy to break up if your cat prefers a smaller treat.
They will puff up a little while baking.
I have a confession to make. I tried one. Yes, I ate a cat treat. When I looked at the ingredients there was nothing that I don’t normally eat anyway, so I figured it was safe. They were pretty good. Nothing I would eat for a snack on a regular basis, but I can see what my cat digs them.
The only issue I had making these treats was that the process left my counters looking quite messy. There was flour and bits of dough everywhere.
Luckily, I had Bounty, the Quicker Picker Upper on hand to help with clean up. I just sprayed some granite cleaner on the counter and put my Bounty paper towels to work. Minions were made to work and these Minion print paper towels from Bounty make cleaning up more enjoyable.
They are also great at cleaning up other cat related messes. If you have a cat, I think you know the kind of cat mess I am talking about. If you don’t have a cat, let’s just say they are messy eaters and they don’t always hit the mark when using the litter box. Since Bounty makes clean up a breeze I am able to forgive my cat faster and forget all about her little indiscretions.
This is my cat Charlotte. My husband and I adopted her before we had kids, so her life has changed quite a bit in the last 7 years. Today she spends her days getting petted roughly by little hands, being carried where she doesn’t want to go, and woken up from naps. So if any cat deserves some treats, it’s Charlotte.
These homemade cat treats hit the spot! I try not to give her more than a few a day because she is getting older and obesity is a concern.
They keep in a sealed container, like a mason jar for a few weeks. The next time I make these, I am going to try adding a little dried catnip.
Homemade Cat Treats
Ingredients:
- 1 can tuna in oil, drained
- 1 egg
- 1 1/4 cups of flour, plus extra for dusting
- 1/2 cup water
- dash of parsley
- bottle cap for cutting out treats
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. In a food processor mix tuna, egg, flour, water and parsley until a dough forms. If the dough looks too sticky, add a bit more flour.
3. Dust a surface with flour and roll out dough to 1/2 inch thick.
4. Use a bottle cap to cut out treats from the dough.
5. Bake for 20 minutes on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
6. Let cool and serve to your cat.
After your cat enjoys a treat, check out this funny video and see if you can relate!
If you have a cat and liked this homemade cat treats recipe, check out:
How to Keep Your Older Cat Active
Want more Mess?
Jeanne says
You could roll these out into long straws and cut with a knife- would save time and you could adjust the size; that cap looks a little big for my cat to eat a treat that big.
Vicky says
That is a great idea Jeanne! I will try it with the next batch.
Billie-Jo says
I ended up doing that at the end. like gnocci but smaller. The cap was to labor intensive.
Billie-Jo says
I also think chilling the dough would make it easier to work with. We have a wood stove and our house is warm. I am sure canned chicken would work too. I ended up using a lot more flour than the recipe called for. I have to wait and see if the cats like them. LOL, I have 5! Sheldon, Howard, & Leonard. Sweet Pea and Tillie.
Connie Caraway says
Tested the bottle cap, to big for my cat to eat. Recipe sounds good and will try. I am now making my dog treats so why not my cat as well.
amy says
do baking these produce any fishy smells by using the tuna? cooking smells travel in the apartments I’m in and just wanted to know if I need to be proactive to mask any smells as to not offend neighbors!
Vicky says
Good question! I did not notice anything but my sense of smell isn’t keen.
Krys says
Is Charlotte relatively picky? Or have food sensitivities? I also have an old kitty, but when she has too much canned tuna it just doesn’t seem to agree with her 🙁
– Krys
Vicky says
Hi Krys, She is picky but loves tuna if that helps.
Wendy says
Why does the tuna have to be in oil? Can it be tuna in water out of a can?
Just curious if it makes a difference so that the recipe didn’t call for oil.
Let me know!
Thanks!
Susan says
Do these need to be refrigerated because of the tuna? Or are they okay to leave out?
Vicky says
Hi Susan, I store them in the refrigerator. Happy New Year!
Tiffany says
Neither of my cats are fond of tuna. I wonder if a wet canned cat food would work in place.
Vicky says
I’m curious about that too. If you try it, please let me know how it goes.
Suzanna Gurule says
I am wondering if canned chicken would work. My cat does not like tuna either. Gonna give it a try.
Bella says
This is two years later, but I would try canned chicken and salmon or even sardines. Watch the sodium levels. As far as the flour, it’s a binder and is used in most pet products.
Irma says
I wonder if flour is healthy for the cats?
Vicky says
I have never had a problem with store bought treats that contain flour but I always recommend checking with your vet if you are concerned. I am not a vet and can’t offer that kind of advice.
Isabelle says
You shouldn’t feed your cat grains. Therefore these treats aren’t good for cats because of the flour. Fail.
Vicky says
Thanks for your comment Isabelle. Have a wonderful day.
Patricia Schneider says
I’m sorry Vicky, but she is right. I have a list that was posted of things cats cannot and should not eat and flour is on the list. Perhaps if you used a grain-free flour, such as almond flour, the treats might be better for the kitties.
Vicky says
Thanks for the input Patricia. If you are concerned, a grain free flour like you suggested might work as well. My vet didn’t see a problem for my cat, but all kitties and vets are different.
DKF says
Actually, whole grains are recommended for cats. Wheat berries (ground or smashed) are mentioned specifically, so I don’t think flour would be a problem. But I suppose you could replace oat flour. Just like humans, animals can have food sensitivities. Ilost my baby a few months ago, so I can’t test this out right away, but I have a feeling he would have loved this with chicken. Also, the parsley is good for breath and digestion. Thanks for sharing!
Lithara says
Actually wheat gluten (and flour) will eventually cause damage to a cat’s kidneys and intestinal tract. It takes a long time, but it can happen. Oats have saponins in them which actually destroys red-blood cells in cats (They don’t have the enzyme to break down the oats and neutralize the saponins). MOST plant material can cause a change in the urinary pH, leading to struvite crystals and kidney damage. I would go with RICE Flour instead of wheat. Cat’s can digest rice but not any other grain or nut flour. Hope this helps!
Kristy says
Yes, definitely use brown rice flour. I’ve been doing a lot of research and although it may change the consistency of the treat a bit, it’s better safe than sorry. Especially if you are giving them to someone’s pet as a gift.
Kelly says
I use coconut flour which is grain free. Just got to use your brain if you don’t like using normal flour. I appreciate this recipe for trying to also sneak in CBD oil for my senior kitty. Wish me luck
Jim Pickren says
That is absolutely incorrect. Grains shouldn’t be the main source of calories but as a binder in a treat it Is fine. Ask your vet.
Sydnee Terrell says
About how many treats does this recipe yield?
Vicky says
Ours made between 50-60 but it will depend on the size you make them.
Meghan says
Do you have a recommendation of substitutions for any allergies. Such as flour, tuna or eggs. If you don’t have all substitutions it is okay. I am looking at recipes to make so I can create my own, but I don’t want to not be able to feed the treats to one of my cats. Also, if you have any recommendations on making recipes
Vicky says
Sorry Meghan, my cat doesn’t have any allergies so I am not well versed in substitutions. That must be tough to deal with.
JANET says
Brown rice flour is good to use if have allergies or its good for dogs that have it…assume cats as well?
christie says
the jury is out about grains and cats. i’d probably use stone ground wheat flour in place of refined flour… but then, i can’t make these because my cats are so finicky they HATE tuna. weird cats. but really i wanted to post something because your cat charlotte looks like a a carbon copy of my jordy… i had jordy longer than i had my children at home! he was 19 years old when we had to have him put down. it’s been six years, and i still miss him terribly. i’ll never have a home without cats, but i’ll never have a cat that could ever replace him in my heart.
Vicky says
Christie, sorry to hear about Jordy. He sounds like a special cat. 19 years is a long time.
Anna says
What a nightmare. I followed the directions exactly and the dough was unmanageable. I added more flour. After an hour of working the dough and adding extra flour and it being a sticky mess I gave up. I should have just let my cats eat the tuna. Left a horrible smell in my bowl that washing and scrubbing won’t get rid of. Very disappointed.
Vicky says
Oh my gosh, I am so sorry to hear that! I mentioned in the post that it was sticky, but adding the extra flour always helps when I make them. I am sorry that didn’t help or work out for you. I have made this lots of times with different kinds of bowls and haven’t had the smell issue.
Grace says
I was worried that I had added too much flour because of the extreme stickiness of the dough, so I tasted one treat and it was really hard to bite into and had barely any tuna flavor. Had I added too much flour? I was trying so hard to make it dry enough to come out nicely from my cookie cutters, and I think I had added too much. Do you think my cat would still like them? I don’t think so.
Carol says
Your cat is the exact image of my cat, Lady Bella. They have the same coloring–the chocolate ears and face and back and tail. They have the cream color bib and tan back of neck. Bella is a Ragdoll cat and I assume that is what your cat is. I have two other cats also. They all play together nicely.
samira says
can i use whole wheat??
Vicky says
I have only ever used white flour so I can’t comment on whole wheat flour. If you try it with whole wheat flour please let me know your results.
Nicky says
I have a unpicky cat. But will the sticky flour do anything harsh to the cat? This was a awesome tutorial. Thank you. Can you make more cat treats for us to make? Thank you again.!!!!
Vicky says
I would always check with the vet first just to be safe but the treats I buy for my cat contain flour and have never been a problem. All cats are different though. Thanks for stopping by.
Nicky says
Thanks!!
Mary says
What size can for the tuna please? Thanks.
Vicky says
5 oz can of tuna
barbara says
how long do these keep if we put them in the ref.
Vicky says
My last a 4-5 days in the refrigerator.
Ruth Bourne says
Your recipe for cat treats sounds interesting, and would likely be very popular in this house! I have a query, our supermarket has several different sizes of tuna in cans, what size do you use in this recipe?
Vicky says
Hi Ruth, I used a 5oz can of tuna. Thanks for stopping by!
Bananaphobia says
When adding catnip, how much do you recommend?
Vicky says
I would do just a pinch about 1/16 to 1/8 of a teaspoon.
Theresa says
Hi Vicky, Does the tuna have to be in oil or could this be made using the tuna in water?I have two picky kitties and want to make this for them.
Vicky says
My cat prefers the taste of tuna in oil but she may be spoiled. You should be able to use tuna packed in water as well.
Theresa says
Thank you so much! I made this today and our picky duo loved it !
Vicky says
Happy to hear it!
Monique says
Today i wanted to spoil my baby, and made her the treat, she did not even look at it. So sad,all my hard work.
Monique says
Today i wanted so spoil my baby and made her these treats. She did not even look at them. So sad.
Vicky says
That is such a bummer. Cats are so finicky! I buy my cat special treats all the time and she turns up her nose.
paula says
I used a pizza cutter to cut into small squares…worked great!
Vicky says
Great idea!
Kristy says
Hi Vicky, I have a question. I am making these for gifts and a lot of them. lol I am putting them in cute little baggies. How am I going to keep all these treats fresh? I noticed they are good in the fridge for only 7 days. Any recipes that don’t have to be refrigerated? They will be bad before I can give them as gifts. Thank You ….
Chance says
Hi Vicky,
What breed is your cat? My cat is a Himalayan and Himalayan’s are very picky so I was just asking to make sure that the half of the Large tuna can we have, because if she doesn’t like it, What a waste.
Cheers chance
Michelle S says
Wow…my cat loved these!!! And so did my dogs!!! How long do they last? Do yu have to store in frig since they are baked?
Shelley says
If I don’t have tuna in oil should ua f2f a separate oil?
Markeeta whitney says
Is it plain flour or self raising flour
Vicky says
I used plain flour.
Gisela Runge says
I was excited to make a treat for my 2 cats. Neither one will eat them. I tried them and I think they taste great so I guess I’ll be eating them. Will not try making treats again. the tuna flavour is light not overwhelming.
keith says
I also made the tuna treats for my 4 cats and NONE of them even tried to eat my treats! BUT, my dog loves them so my work was not a waste.
Vicky says
I wouldn’t have thought a dog would go for tuna treats. I guess they are not as notoriously picky as cats.
Wendy says
LOL
Disregard my comment!
I just now found out that you can make it with tuna in water!
Thanks anyway!
🙂
only the good stuff 4 cats says
Why should cats eat flour? Think about it for yourself and decide. Our 3 cats only get the good stuff – 100% meat & fish & water -the good stuff costs the same as Wiscotz & Co.! Never seen a cat eating muesli / cereals or carrots & co. Have you?
Zoe says
Do you have to use parchment paper?
Vicky says
No, but I like it so I don’t have to use cooking spray and it makes clean up easier.
Zoe says
Also do you have to use a food processor?
Vicky says
A blender might work as well.
LIZ says
HI THERE DO WE NEED TO USE TUNA OR CAN WE USE OTHER THINGS BECAUSE I’M ALLERGIC TO TUNA
THANKS
-LIZ
Vicky says
I have only made it with tuna, sorry.
Pamela A Davignon says
What kind of flour do I use
Angela says
Hi there, I am curious if these treats can be froze in case my cat doesn’t eat them all? Will the shelf like still be a few weeks or will they remain good until i use them? Thank you