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Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and if you’re anything like me, you’ve been racking your brain trying to come up with something special to do for your kitties. Thinking of something to do for my husband was easy, but thinking of something to do for my cats? Not so much. I wanted to do something different, something I’ve never done before. That’s when it hit me – I decided to make them homemade cat treats!
It may seem crazy to make your own cat treats when you can easily and inexpensively buy them at the store. But making them myself was fun, and I felt good knowing that I was making something for my cats that they would love (hopefully). Plus, when you make your own cat treats, you know exactly what is in them – no worrying about animal by-products, preservatives, or other chemicals!
Beware – your house will smell like cooked chicken and baked cat treats for hours, which will have your cats sniffing around the kitchen all day!
Valentine’s Day Homemade Cat Treat Recipe
Prep time: 45 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes for chicken + 25-30 minutes for treats
Yields 4-5 dozen quarter-sized treats.
>> Click here for a printable version of the recipe <<
Supplies:
- food processor or blender
- cutting board
- knife
- rolling pin
- mixing bowl
- mixing spoon
- cookie sheet
- parchment paper
- heart-shaped cookie cutter
Ingredients:
- 1/2 pound of boneless, skinless chicken* (I used a breast, but anything will work)
- 1 cup of quick cooking oats
- 1 egg
- 1 very generous tablespoon of catnip
- 1/4 cup of flour
- 1/3 cup of water
*the chicken can be substituted for any other protein (turkey, tuna, etc…)
Directions:
1. Boil the chicken until cooked throughout. As a lifelong vegetarian, I had absolutely no idea how to cook chicken, so I had to call my mom for help with this step. For anyone else who doesn’t know, chicken will turn white when it is cooked and should take about 20 minutes. Let the chicken cool when finished.
2. Preheat oven to 350º.
3. Put the oats, catnip, egg, and chicken into a food processor or blender, and pulse on low until well mixed. Add water a little bit at a time throughout the mixing process. The end result will end up looking like chicken salad.
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4. Move the mixed ingredients to a mixing bowl and add the flour.
5. Knead the dough until it is no longer sticky, then place on a flour-dusted surface.
6. Use a rolling pin to flatten the dough until it is roughly 1/2 an inch thick. With a cookie cutter (I used a heart-shaped one) cut out your treats from the dough.
7. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper, and place your treats onto the sheet. Bake for 20 minutes.
8. Remove the treats from the oven, and let them cool for about 15-20 minutes.
9. (Optional) Have your husband taste test them. I was so curious as to how they tasted, but since I couldn’t eat them, my husband was sweet (and crazy) enough to try them for me. He said they were bland…
The kitties didn’t seem to think so though! They scarfed them right down!
20 paws up!
Seriously, these treats have been a huge hit. Thankfully we have plenty to last us for a while!
>> Click here for a printable version of the recipe<<
Are you doing anything special for your kitties for Valentine’s Day?
That’s a great Valentine’s day idea! Looks so yummy and pretty!
I’m a big fan of homemade treats. I always try some myself, too 🙂
guys…total lee awesum oh yur mom ta make theeze treetz for ewe tho we iz knot sure bout de “mane ingredient ” !! ♥♥♥
The lady made her kitties some homemade treats many, many years ago and they went over like a lead balloon. I bet these are a lot better. How nice of you to go to this trouble. It’s much more rewarding when the kitties like the treats you make.
We just passed this recipe and a few others along to another blogger wantin’ to make cat treats. Glad everypawdy liked them.
Luv ya’
Dezi and Lexi
Emily, it is too funny that your husband tried these!! LOL. I’m really glad your kitties like them. I might have to try them for Carmine and Lita – they love chicken!
We would have to keep those away from dog-guy!
They do look yummy:)
Dog-guy might like then without the catnip…maybe some mint or parsley?
We wish Mom Paula would cook more because we’d love to have some of those treats!
You are a rock star!!! Cat treat recipes are not very easy to find!
You are a rock star!!! Cat treat recipes are not very easy to find!
You are a rock star!!! Cat treat recipes are not very easy to find!
These are a great idea! It is hard to find good homemade treat ideas for cats. It is so funny that your husband actually tried them! My husband would probably do it too. MOL
What a great idea! Fortunately we have no one here who would want to taste them (my human’s boyfriend doesn’t eat chicken and my human says, “Ew”), so if my human makes them, we get them ALL!
You are a rock star!!! Cat treat recipes are not very easy to find!
This is such a great idea (pity I’m a terrible cook)! And I love that the cookies are heart shaped. Pinning this and sharing it on Facebook too!
That is a nice bunch of timely yum!
Your kitties are lucky. I am crocheting some red and pink toys for mine.
Yummmmy they look delicious!
Hugs
Madi your bfff
The mom may give these a try. She made us treats before and we didn’t like them. With these having catnip in them, they may be better.
Your husband was brave. I wouldn’t be concerned about the chicken, but who knows what’s in that catnip!
The treats sound delicious! And Bobby is a trooper for trying them 🙂
Maybe we can get our Mama to make us some if she could stop with all the puppy business for a second or two! Love to all. XO
the critters in the cottage xo
Wow! These sound delish!
Thank you for this recipe! As others have posted, cat treat recipes can be hard to find! I will be making these for my Gracie and Katt and family member cats for Valentines day this year! Thanks again!