[I]’ve done a lot of research on cats. By ‘a lot of research’, I mean that I’ve lived with an nutcase of a cat-animal for the past four years, and there are a few things I’ve learned. My cat, in particular, is bossy and unwilling to compromise. He’s a fan of avocado, anything I open with a can opener, buttermilk, and actually… anything that I eat, he wants to eat.
Since I am a maker of cookies for human consumption, I feel like it’s only fitting to make healthy and wholesome treats for my monster cat as well.
The best thing about these cat treats / cat cookies, is that they’re made out of actual whole foods! Oats, pink salmon, egg, olive oil, and dried catnip because cats are crazy for it. Cookies for cats! Let’s do this!
Tron is happy that, for once, I’m not waving him away from my food prep area. This time, it’s actually treats for him… not my cookies and biscuits.
No joke, three seconds after this picture was taken, Tron literally tried to tear through the bag of Purina Beyond Cat Food. He’s not a subtle creature.
Into a food processor with the oat flour, cat nip, and pink salmon. Salmon and oats are some of the great ingredients found in Purina Beyond Cat Food! Very good things!
Incidentally, with my leftover oat flour, I was thinking about making a face mask for myself. DIY all up in this joint.
A whole egg and olive oil. Great binders and good fats.
The dough comes together to be easily chapped into bite-size balls, pressed with a fork just before baking.
Yes… we’re basically making cookies for cats. Get all the way into it.
Once cooled, these cat cookies crisp up and can be stored in the refrigerator before you cat, if he’s anything like mine, eats every single one. It’s a good thing cats can’t open refrigerator doors.
This post is brought to us by Beyond Natural Cat Food. No corn, wheat, soy, gnarly by-products, or artificial colors or preservatives. Just the real food I give to TRONCAT to keep him extra sassy, nappy, and wise.
PrintHomemade Crunchy Cat Treats
Ingredients
- 1 (5 ounce) canned pink salmon or tuna, no salt added and packed in water, drained
- 1 cup oat flour*
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 heaping tablespoon dried catnip
Instructions
- *It’s easy to make your own oat flour. Simply grind old-fashioned oats in a spice grinder (or a super clean coffee grinder) until it is transformed into a light powder. There you have it — oat flour!
- Place a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a blade attachment, combine drained salmon or tuna, oat flour, egg, olive oil and catnip. Pulse until mixture comes together. Bits of fish and dry food will remain but the mixture will easily form into small balls. It will be thick but pliable and not terribly sticky.
- Roll dough into 1/2 teaspoon balls and place on prepared cookie sheet. Use a fork to press marks into each cookie ball.
- Bake cookies for 10 to 12 minutes until they are dried on top and slightly browned. Allow to cool completely before offering to your kitty.
- Place treats in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to seven days.
Candace
I added 1 tsp pumpkin and 1/2 tsp carrot baby food, the kitties seem to like that too. I think I’m going to try it without the catnip next time.
Anna
I would love to make these, but they only last 7 days in the fridge? Would it be okay to freeze these and defrost them before feeding?
Vampy
I like this recipe but will probably replace olive oil with fish oil. Olive oil has no benefits for a cat. I like when they are done they look like little burgers which is cute. I wonder if you would add some vitamin E if it would preserve them longer. That’s what they add to dry pet food to preserve it. It’s worth a shot.
Linda P. Myers
I try to make treats for my boys’ pet/buddies & one has a cat. I saw this recipe of yours which I think is neat. However, he & his wife live far from home & although I mail their stuff via USPS priority mail, it takes a few days to get to them. Will these cat treats keep for a few days enroute to them or not?
joythebaker
They should be kept in the fridge. So I’m going to say no, sorry.
Jessica Nuttall
Could I substitute coconut flour? Or whole wheat flour?
joythebaker
No, not coconut flour, it absorbs differently. Whole wheat flour, probably, yes.
v
Just so you know avocado is highly toxic for cats and dogs.
joythebaker
Not true.
carol krawczyk
I have made homemade dog treats for my daughter golden retriever and he loves them. Would like to make kitty treats for my daughter in laws two cats, but must ship them, PO 2 day priority mail. I’ve searched many kitty treat recipes and cannot find one that doesn’t need refrigeration. Do you think these will survive a couple of day without being refrigerated? It’s February and she lives in Maryland. I in NC. Would not attempt this in warmer months, but maybe it might be ok for now. What are your thoughts. Do you know of a recipe that doesn’t require refrigeration? Would appreciate your thoughts.
joythebaker
Sorry for the late response. I would say no, they should be refrigerated.
Niera265
do all cats will like it? i want to try to do the cookies but i wonder if my cat will not like it then it will be a waste.
joythebaker
Not sure about all cats?
Becky
I read this and thought, awesome, a Valentine’s Day treat for our cat. And then thought how sad that was. Does this mean we’ve leveled up to crazy cat ladies?
Lauren Short
Oh my goodness. I loved your last cat post but I am DEFINITELY going to make these!
joythebaker
Make them! (That way I won’t be the only crazy cat lady making my cat treats!)
In Natalie's Shoes
As a self-proclaimed (and family/boyf/friend- recognized) crazy cat lady, I am in LOVE with this. Do you think they would be okay for dogs (sans catnip)? Mr. Leon would just die having special salmon cookies!
India
Just listened to your podcast about sponsored posts. So I have to say…even though I don’t have a cat, you did a wonderful job writing this one. :) Thanks for opening yourself up to your readers!
The Queen of Dreaming
My cat doesn’t love many much things to eat, but salmon? Oh God, she go completely crazy for salmon! I have to prepare these for her! ;)
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