If you are worried about your cat’s food, you’re not alone. Many cat parents are worried about the quality as well as the hiking prices of cat food. If you want to make budget-friendly and nutritious cat food at home, then you are at the right place. However, the question arises: Can homemade cat food provide all the essential nutrients your cat needs? The short and simple answer is: Yes, it can- If made correctly!
I will share the easiest, most nutritious and budget-friendly homemade food for cat. Even a beginner can make it since it’s a simple, one-pot recipe with a few ingredients.
Benefits of Homemade Cat Food
- Better Ingredient Control: When making homemade cat food, you have more control over the ingredients. You can customize them according to your cat’s needs. If your cat is allergic to something, you can simply skip it, and it’s always better to ask for vet advice.
- Low price: The recipe that I am about to share provides a balanced diet for your cat and is both easy to make and budget-friendly.
Homemade Cat Food with Chicken Recipe: Step-by-Step Guide
Chicken, Rice & Potato Meal (Balanced & Easy to Digest)
Ingredients:
- 1 cup chicken
- 4 chicken feet
- 1/2 cup chicken liver
- 1/4 cup white rice
- 1 small potato
Before diving into the cooking process, let’s take a quick look at the ingredients. Some of you may be surprised to see chicken feet in the ingredients. Trust me, they are very nutritious and will improve the overall health of your cat. Chicken feet are rich in collagen, which is great for shiny fur and healthy skin. They are also beneficial for bones and joints. Additionally, Chicken liver is a great source of taurine that supports brain, eyes, and nervous system development in cats.
Instructions:
- Boil the chicken feet for 5 minutes, then remove the nails and upper skin.
- Wash and soak the rice in water.
- Wash the potato, peel off the skin, and cut it into small pieces.
- Add all the ingredients to a pot and add 2-3 cups of water. Let it cook for 20-25 minutes
- Once it’s cooked, let it rest for a while. When it has cooled down a bit, add it to the blender and make a fine paste.
Your homemade cat food is ready to serve. 🐾🥣🐱
Storage:
You can store the food in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
FAQs:
❓Is potato safe for cats? – Yes, but only in moderation.
❓Can I replace potato with sweet potato? Yes.
❓Can I skip chicken feet and liver? Yes, but only if you add essential supplements like taurine in place of these ingredients.
Chicken, Rice & Pumpkin Meal
Here is a bonus recipe. If you want to skip potato you can add pumpkin in its place. Follow the same recipe and quantities as above, just replace the potato with pumpkin. Pumpkin is beneficial for cats but in moderate quantity, it helps with digestion and reduces hairball formation. 🎃🐾
How to Transition Your Cat to Homemade Food
Here comes the most important worry of cat parents. Many cat owners complain that their cats aren’t eating the homemade food. I will tell you some steps that you need to follow to gradually shift your feline to homemade food.
- Mix your cat’s old food with their new food.
- You should always warm up the food slightly to enhance the aroma before serving it to your cat.
- The most important thing is to be patient as cats need time to adjust.
Ingredients That Are Toxic to Cats
Some people share their food with pets without even knowing that it contains ingredients that can be bad for their health. These ingredients may not show their effects right away. Some ingredients might show consequences immediately, while others don’t show right away, but in the long run, they can be harmful.
These are the ingredients that you should avoid because they are bad for cats’ health.
Toxic Ingredients to Avoid:
- Onions, garlic, chives
- Grapes, raisins
- Chocolate, caffeine
- Dairy ( because many cats are lactose intolerant)
- Raw fish
- Xylitol (artificial sweetener)
- Artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors
- Corn, wheat, and soy fillers
If you want to know all the things that are toxic to cat health. Check out this VCA hospital’s Toxic Hazards for Cats.
Is homemade food safe for cats?
Many cat owners want a natural diet for their pets, but a concern arises in their minds. Is homemade cat food safe for pet health? This concern is natural as a pet parent you always want the best for your cat. Homemade food for cats is safe if it is made correctly.
Understanding a Cat’s Nutritional Needs
Cats are carnivores, and carnivores are the animals that primarily eat meat. Their bodies require a diet primarily based on animal proteins. So you must include meat in their diet.
Can cats live on a vegetarian diet?
Absolutely not! Cats cannot survive on a vegetarian diet because they are carnivores. Even if you are vegetarian, please never consider shifting your cat to a total plant-based diet. They need a lot of essential nutrients and proteins that are present in meat which makes them healthy and active.
Can cats eat raw food?
Yes, cats can eat raw food as they are carnivores. Many cat owners prefer a raw diet as they believe it is beneficial for their cat’s overall health. However, a raw diet can also cause bacterial contamination, if it isn’t handled properly. If you want to feed raw food to your cat always ensure that food is fresh and washed properly. Many cats are often fed a raw diet by their owners. However, it’s a personal choice, not a necessity.
Most cat owners go with store-bought cat food, while some prefer homemade cooked food or a raw diet. It completely depends on the owner’s choice. Always make sure that you consult with a vet before shifting to any option.
Share your experience
If you have questions or a favorite homemade recipe that your cat loves. Share in the comments! 😊
