[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.
Elaine
I love this post! But being the cat maniac that I am, I was hoping for a centerfold style photo of Tron, scarfing down those cookies!! :)
joythebaker
Ha! Elaine you comment made my day, he was too much of a sneak ninja for me to be able to snap a good photo of him for the post! But I like where your head is at!
Amy Basso
Thanks for sharing this! I can’t wait for my cat, Leo, to try these!
Mackenzie
This cracks me up – homemade treats are the best.
Joy
Cat cookies? Adore the idea. Thanks for the recipe!
Kelly
I love the idea of cookies for cats!
Love your books too, great reads – and of course recipes! x
Helena
Great inspiration for canapés… maybe when I host a dinner party
I just posted a new weekly food diary on my blog, and I would love to know your opinion on it :)
nutritionpsychology.blogspot.co.uk
Meg @MegBollenback.com
Love this! I can relate to the cat attacking/ripping/chewing/dragging any and all ingredients that I don’t keep him away from while cooking. I’m pretty certain he’d adore these treats. He licks the tops of my oil bottles, so I’m pretty certain that oil + all the other good stuff in here would be sublime.
Susan
Clark and Wrigley are going to LOVE these.
Oscar Bites Dog Treats
I love baking for my little buddies, great recipe!
Linda @ The Fitty
I’m a new reader here–I love the pictures on your blog :)
joythebaker
Thank you Linda, and Welcome!
Erin P
Those look awesome! And I bet your cat was thrilled to not be kicked out of the kitchen. I am constantly shoo-ing my two cats out of the way and yet every once in a while I still end up with a cat hair in my food. How do you deal with long-haired-cat-hair-in-your-food problems?
https://erineatingeverything.wordpress.com
Laura @ Raise Your Garden
I think this idea is brilliant! My rescue cat now spoiled inside house cat is going to be pleased. I’m thinking about adding a bit more catnip to really get him going! (He’s only got one eye because a cayote got him in the wild before we rescued him so he has earned a few treats)!
Trang's corner
It looks amazzzingggggg! So delicious! Need to try this recipe.
http://www.trangscorner.com
anna@icyvioletskitchen
very cute :)
Amy
I know both our cat (Toblerone) and our 60lb malamute (Molly) are going to love these!