Homemade cat food is food made at home for cats to eat. It has nutrients cats need. Things like meat, fish, eggs, oils, vitamins are used. Cats get a balanced diet eating homemade food.
“How To Make Homemade Cat Food?” Many cats love homemade food more than store food. They like the smells and tastes. Your cat will be happy if you make it food yourself. Making cat food can be fun and not hard.
Making cat food at home allows you to choose ingredients. You decide what goes in. Many people add things like chicken, salmon or tuna to their cat’s homemade food. Vegetables can also be included for vitamins. Homemade food is healthier and fresher than store bought.
Making Your Own Cat Food
Making your own cat food allows you to control what goes into your cat’s diet. It can be time consuming but rewarding to know exactly what ingredients your cat is eating. When making cat food at home, fresh meat and fish are excellent protein sources. Canned or cooked meat and fish can then be portioned and frozen for later meals. Some recipes even include bone as a source of calcium and phosphorus. Overall, proper research is needed to produce a balanced and complete homemade diet for your feline friend.
While a do-it-yourself approach has benefits, how to keep ants out of cat food consulting a veterinarian is recommended. They can review recipes and provide feedback on nutritional content. A vet can guide you on the right proportions of protein, fats, vitamins and minerals needed daily. With their input, making food specifically tailored to your cat’s needs is very possible through a homemade option.
What Goes Into Homemade Cat Food?
Protein is the most important part of any cat food. Boneless cuts of meat, poultry or fish are generally the main sources used. Organ meats like liver are also excellent add-ins as they provide nutrients in highly bioavailable forms.
Carbohydrates from veggies are included but in limited amounts as cats are true carnivores. Common additions are carrots, green beans or sweet potatoes for fiber and antioxidants. Cooking the ingredients helps cats digest and utilize them better. Herbs and spices can be used judiciously for aroma and flavoring.
Additional supplements may need to be added to ensure complete nutrition. Many homemade recipes include vitamins, taurine, calcium, and fish or plant-based oils. The amounts of each ingredient are calculated specifically based on cats’ nutritional needs for daily energy, growth and disease prevention. A balanced homemade meal provides protein, fats, vitamins, minerals and water in the right ratios.
Wet Vs Dry Cat Food
Both wet and dry commercial cat foods have pros and cons. Wet foods tend to mimic a cat’s natural diet more closely resembling raw meat due to their high moisture content. They can be more appealing to felines due to their aroma and texture, thereby improving eating habits. However, wet foods often contain preservatives and are more expensive than dry kibble.
Dry kibble lasts much longer on the pantry shelf before spoiling. Many cats enjoy crunching on dry kibble. Dry food tends to clean cats’ teeth better than wet. However, some cats refuse dry food or need wet to avoid dehydration. The best approach is to offer a combination of wet and dry foods to provide variety in the diet. Providing fresh, clean water at all times is also very important.
Ingredients For Wet Cat Food
The main ingredient in wet cat food is some type of meat or protein. Common meats include chicken, beef, fish or lamb. Most recipes derive 60-70% of their overall content from select meat proteins. Additional animal-based ingredients like liver, heart or other organ meats are included sometimes.
Wet foods may also contain vegetables but usually in smaller amounts than the meat. Typical additions are sweet potatoes, carrots or green beans. Some varieties include grains like rice or oats. Seasonings like broth, gravy or natural meat flavors are commonly used to add moisture and improve aroma. Vitamins, minerals and taurine are supplemented as necessary to balance the overall recipe.
Ingredients For Dry Cat Food
While protein is still emphasized, dry cat foods contain less meat than wet varieties. The main ingredients are typically meat meals derived from poultry, beef or fish. Further down the list are grains like corn, wheat or rice which provide carbohydrates. Vegetable meals from carrots or peas may also be present.
Dry kibble relies more heavily on supplemental vitamins, minerals and synthetic amino acids to provide balanced nutrition. This is because heating during the extrusion process used in kibble production destroys some natural nutrients.
Other common dry food additives include meat by-products, meat and bone meal, corn gluten, soy meal and food dyes. They help bind ingredients and impart color and flavoring.
Balancing Cat Food Nutrients
When calories, protein, fats, vitamins and minerals aren’t balanced properly, health issues can arise. Homemade cat food recipes require forethought to avoid dietary deficiencies or excesses. The proper amounts of each nutrient prevent conditions such as obesity, urinary issues, dental problems or skin conditions from developing over time.
Nutrient profiles also depend on cats’ lifecycle stages—kittens, adult cats and senior cats have differing needs. Consulting guidelines from feeding trials and veterinary sources helps formulate recipes optimized for cats requiring less calories, more fiber or certain nutrients respectively. Precise measuring, calculating and adjustments are needed to build a diet complete and balanced for cats’ wellbeing.
Benefits Of Making Cat Food At Home
Homemade food allows avoiding preservatives, artificial colors and low-quality fillers often present in commercial foods. It provides protein sources your cat will better digest and utilize for energy and growth. With a personalized approach, portions match your pet’s size and activity level.
Freshly prepared home diets also reduce food waste. Cats usually enjoy and finish meals they recognize as real food. Their dental health may benefit from chewing meat and bones versus kibble. Overall, a customized homemade diet supports cats’ natural instincts while providing complete nutrition tailored for individual needs.
Is Homemade Cat Food Healthier For Cats?
Truly balanced and complete homemade recipes with adequate research behind them can rival or improve on nutritionally balanced commercial options. No single approach is always “healthiest”— much depends on how recipes are formulated and feedings are managed. Homemade diets require more effort but provide advantages if done carefully.
Potential issues are also possible if nutrient requirements aren’t properly addressed. Deficiencies in key vitamins, minerals or fatty acids could occur. Stability and contamination are easier to control with commercial foods, which undergo strict testing standards. Overall, the devil is in the details—with guidance and precision, well-made homemade diets can promote cats’ health and welfare.
Avoiding Preservatives And Fillers
Preservatives prolong shelf life but provide no nutrition. Many commercial foods include chemical preservatives and artificial colors which can contribute to health issues over time. Homemade recipes skip unwanted additives for a simpler ingredients list.
Low-quality fillers like corn, wheat and soy provide minimal benefit while taking up food volume. Home-cooked meals typically substitute meat in place of low-nutrient fillers that exist largely for affordable mass production. Fresh meat, fish and limited whole foods are better nutritional sources and what cats’ bodies are designed for.
Tailoring Food To Your Cat’s Needs
All cats are individuals with unique preferences, energy levels and health conditions. Homemade recipes allow adjusting ingredients and portions to cater to specific needs. For example, more protein benefits active versus sedentary cats.
Senior and overweight cats may do best with less fat and more fiber in their diets. Cats on medication or with diseases like diabetes or kidney issues require specific profiles. By knowing each pet’s individual profile, owners can provide complete nutrition in a customized manner through homemade cooking.
Controlling Portion Sizes
Managing portions is important for weight, dental and urinary health in cats. With commercial foods, pets can easily empty entire containers regardless of their true energy needs. Homemade meals enable controlling exact portions matched to body size and activity levels.
Measuring ingredients during cooking also avoids guesswork. Cups or scales help determine precise daily allotments based on cats’ lifestyles and conditions. This precision prevents obesity while meeting all nutritional requirements simultaneously—an advantage of thoughtful homemade feeding practices.
What Recipes Can I Use For Homemade Cat Food?
Cats need meat as their primary source of protein. You can use ground chicken or turkey in homemade cat food recipes. Adding some pureed vegetables provides vitamins and fiber. Carrots, green beans andsweet potatoes work well. Blend the ingredients together and portion into ice cube trays or muffin tins to freeze and store. Simply thaw a portion for each meal.
Another option is to simmer chicken thighs with bone in along with chicken broth. Remove the bones after cooking and shred or chop the chicken to mix back in. The broth adds extra moisture and nutrition. You can also try cooking ground chicken meatballs and storing them in portions in the freezer for quick meals.
Chicken And Veggie Cat Food
A balanced homemade cat food can include chicken breasts or thighs along with nutrient-rich veggies. Puree cooked chicken with steamed carrots, green beans and sweet potato in a food processor until smooth. Add a spoonful of fish or salmon oil for omega-3 fatty acids. Portion into ice cube trays and freeze.
Thaw a cube each night for dinner. The veggies add vitamins while being masked by the strong chicken flavor cats love. Check with your vet but this recipe provides meat, vitamins and fiber for nutritional balance.
Fish Based Cat Food
Cats love the taste of fish but it can be expensive or hard to find in larger cuts for homemade meals. Canned fish like salmon, tuna or sardines can be incorporated into cat food. Flake the fish and mix with shredded chicken, broth and pureed peas or green beans.
Another option is to cook fish like cod, tilapia or pollock along with bone-in chicken thighs. Shred the cooked meat and bones and mix the broth back in. The bones provide calcium and minerals. Freeze portions for an affordable, fish-flavored meal cats will eagerly eat.
Beef And Organ Meat Cat Food
Some cats enjoy variety beyond poultry. Ground beef or chunks of beef roast mixed with liver, heart or kidneys provides a meaty meal. Brown the beef and organs together and add bone broth. Blend everything or chop finely before portioning and freezing meals.
The organ meats add beneficial nutrients often lacking in commercial foods with very high protein levels. Freeze in ice cube trays or muffin tins and offer heartier foods occasionally which some cats prefer. Watch that any seasonings are pet-safe.
Can I Make Cat Food Recipes Without Meat?
It’s possible but difficult to formulate a balanced homemade vegetarian cat food. Cats require meat as their biologically appropriate diet and to receive necessary nutrients like taurine only found in animal foods.
You can try including tofu, tempeh, beans or nut butters but these plant proteins may not satisfy a cat’s dietary needs. Consult a vet for guidance on creating a vegetarian recipe and monitor the cat’s health closely. Commercial vegetarian formulations meet requirements but homemade would require supplements.
A balanced vegetarian diet is complex and it may be better and safer to include small amounts of meat, eggs or fish in homemade recipes. Monitor weight, coat, energy levels and stool quality on any new homemade formulations. Consulting a veterinary nutritionist may help determine the best option.
Is Homemade Cat Food Less Expensive Than Store Bought?
The costs of homemade can vary but it often proves less expensive than premium branded cat foods from the store. Meats, fish and produce in modest amounts are budgets friendly. Buying in bulk freezes well for later use.
Cost Of Store Bought Vs Homemade Cat Food
Premium commercial cat foods cost $1-2 per meal at minimum. For three meals a day, that’s over $30-60 per month, quickly adding up year-round. Homemade options cutting meat with grains and veggies typically costs 50 cents or less per meal. Over a month, the savings become significant against pricier brands.
Saving Money By Making Cat Food Yourself
5 ways to save money by making cat food yourself
- Buy in bulk Purchasing meat, fish and produce in larger quantities when on sale saves versus small portions. Properly portioned and frozen, it lasts weeks.
- Use meat scraps and bones Leftover trimmings, scraps and bones added to stock provide flavor and nutrients at very low cost.
- Incorporate veggies Pureeing inexpensive veggies like carrots stretches more pricey meat portions in recipes. Cats need fewer carbs anyway.
- Make large batches Spending one afternoon cooking and portioning numerous frozen meals means serving it for pennies, not dollars, per day.
- Consider less pricey proteins Alongside meat, beans, lentils or nutritional yeast provide plant-based nutrients very affordably. Adjusting some meat meals saves significantly.
Bulk Shopping For Cat Food Ingredients
Purchasing meats, fish and staples in bulk further reduces ingredient costs. Stores like warehouse clubs offer multi-packs of chicken, fish or ground beef that when portioned out provides numerous meals’ worth. Buying vegetables and grains for several recipes at once has similar savings versus single purchases. Freezing makes ingredients available on demand without waste. Bulk prep aids the budget and maintains quality homemade cat food.
How Do I Know I’m Making Nutritious Cat Food?
Consulting a veterinary nutritionist can guide safe and balanced homemade recipes. They understand dietary requirements and can review planned recipes. Getting recipes from trustworthy sources like veterinary associations or pet food experience consumers ensures recipes meet cat needs.
Getting Recipes From Vet-Approved Sources
Universities with veterinary programs and associations like the American Association of Feline Practitioners suggest recipes designed by veterinary nutritionists. These meet Association of American Feed Control Officials standards and provide proper macronutrients, minerals, vitamins and other essentials cats require for health.
Reputable pet blogger recipes tend to provide nutrient analyses too. Checking with your vet ensures any recipe meets the gold standard for feline diets.
Supplementing Homemade Cat Food
| Supplement | Benefit |
| Multivitamin/mineral powder | Provides a wide range of vitamins and minerals that may not be sufficiently supplied through recipe ingredients alone. |
| Bone meal or calcium carbonate | Ensures adequate calcium intake which is important for bone and teeth health. |
| Taurine powder | An essential amino acid cats cannot produce which is added to commercial foods and should supplement DIY recipes. |
| Vitamin E/selenium gel | Supports immune function and acts as an antioxidant when recipe ingredients may lack adequate amounts. |
| Fish oil | Supplies Omega-3 fatty acids which support skin and coat health when limited fish sources are used. |
By adding one or more supplements tailored to recipe gaps, you can feel confident homemade cat food provides complete nutrition balanced by your vet’s guidance. Regular checkups monitor any adjustments supplements may require over time.
Signs Your Cat Food May Be Lacking Nutrients
Monitor weight, coat and energy levels when feeding homemade formulations. Lack of essential nutrients appears as lethargy, diarrhea, weight loss or dull fur over time. Your vet can spot deficiencies through bloodwork if issues appear. Make any needed recipe adjustments and always consult guidance if homemade diets cause or don’t resolve such issues before continuing long-term home preparation. The goal remains optimal feline health through nutrition.
Taking Your Cat To The Vet For Checkups
Regular vet visits help monitor health on any diet—commercial, limited ingredient or homemade. Physical exams and periodic bloodwork catch early signs if nutrients fall short, allowing adjustments before problems arise.
Wellness visits detect beginning issues often ahead of visible symptoms. An annual checkup gives vets baseline knowledge of risks like obesity, dental disease or organ function to spot changes. Ongoing evaluation ensures homemade recipes promote long healthy lives.
Frequently Asked Question
What Are Some Basic Homemade Cat Food Recipes?
Chicken, turkey or fish with pureed vegetables like carrots make simple balanced recipes to start with.
Which Meats Can I Use In Cat Food?
Lean meats like chicken, turkey, fish, beef or buffalo are good choices as cats require meat as their primary protein source.
Is It Ok To Feed My Cat Table Scraps?
While an occasional small bite likely won’t harm, table scraps often lack balanced nutrition and cats can develop nutritional deficiencies or health issues from frequent human food intake.
Do Homemade Cat Foods Need Supplements?
For complete balanced nutrition, it’s recommended to add an all-in-one liquid supplement or powdered supplement containing taurine and other essential nutrients to DIY recipes.
How Often Should I Take My Cat To The Vet?
Annual wellness exams are ideal to monitor weight, dental health and catch any emerging nutritional issues early. Physical exams and occasional bloodwork ensure homemade diets provide complete feline wellness.
Conclusion
Homemade cat food is a cost effective and wholesome way to feed your feline friend when done right. With some basic recipe research and supplement additions, you can provide balanced nutrition. Remembering that cats require meat as their main source of protein, including meat in recipes along with pureed veggies presents well-rounded meals. Consulting veterinary guidance and monitoring your cat’s health ensures their diet supports optimal wellness.
Overall, making cat food at home saves money compared to premium commercial options when quality ingredients are chosen. With careful recipe planning from vet-approved sources and periodic vet checkups, you can feel good that your cat is thriving on a customized DIY diet. Proper nutritional balance along with supervision from your vet results in nourishing your family feline with a wholesome homemade alternative to store-bought.
