10 Homemade No-Bake Cat Treat Recipes (Vet Approved)

We love to spoil our cats, including feeding them delicious and special treats. However, because you love your cat, you also want to ensure you feed them healthy foods. Commercial cat treats may have ingredients and additives that cat owners prefer not to give their pets.  Some people show love through home cooking, and others want to give their pets some variety from time to time.

If this sounds like you, why not try making your cat treats? That way, you know exactly what is in them. For even more convenience, these 10 homemade cat treats are also no-bake recipes. Remember, they are designed as occasional treats only and must not replace a complete and balanced diet.

No matter your cat’s favorite flavor, we have a treat for them!

The 10 No-Bake Cat Treat Recipes

1. No-Bake Tuna Balls

No-Bake Tuna Balls

★★★★★5 stars from 2 votes

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Ingredients

• 1 can tuna
• Dry cat food
• Catnip
• Mayonnaise

Instructions

1. 1To make these easy tuna treats, start by draining the tuna and placing it on a plate. In a separate bowl, crush a handful of dry cat food, sprinkle in some catnip, and mix. Add the dry mixture to the tuna on the plate. Drop a spoonful of mayonnaise onto the tuna mixture and stir until thoroughly combined.
2. 2Form the mixture into balls (or whatever shape you like!) and refrigerate until they are set. These treats keep for about one week in the refrigerator. Feel free to omit the catnip if you already know your kitty isn’t a fan.
3. 3While mayonnaise isn’t toxic to cats, it also isn’t good for them and should only be given in moderation, so limit the number of treats your cat eats.

Notes

Life Stage: Senior, Adult

Potential Allergens: Egg, Soy, Fish

2. No-Bake Tuna and Cheese Balls

Cheese makes everything better, right? To make these fish and dairy treats, add all the ingredients except olive oil to a food processor. Pulse until the ingredients begin to form a dough. Drizzle a small amount of olive oil into the food processor to help the dough come together.

Once it does, place the dough on your work surface and form it into ½-inch balls. Refrigerate the balls until they firm up, and then store them in the fridge for up to a week. This recipe makes about 24 balls.

Dairy products, such as cheese, may not agree with all cats, so monitor your cat if it's their first experience with dairy or just leave it out.

3. Pumpkin and Turkey No-Bake Cat Treats

This recipe uses leftovers and gives your cat a tasty treat as well! If you use cooked pumpkin, you need to mash it and squeeze the liquid out using cheesecloth or a towel. Then, set the liquid and pumpkin aside.

Next, blend the cooked meat until it forms small crumbs. Combine the turkey, pumpkin, and enough gelatin to thicken about 3 fluid ounces (varies by brand and type) in a pan. Heat the mixture slowly, adding water or pumpkin liquid as needed to keep it from getting too dry, and remove from the heat when the gelatin is melted.

Once the goop is cool enough to handle, roll it into small balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper. Refrigerate until the gelatin is set (8–24 hours). Store the finished treats in the fridge and use them within 1 week.

4. Tuna Ice Treats

If you have trouble getting your cat to drink enough water, these treats might be just what they need to stay hydrated! Plus, they are beyond simple to make. Blend the tuna and water, pour into an ice cube tray, and freeze overnight. These treats can get messy as they melt, so be prepared!

Since so many treats on our list are made with tuna, it is worth noting that cats should only eat this fish in moderation due to its mercury content.

5. Cat Birthday Cake Treats

Celebrate your kitty's special day with this unique cat birthday cake. First, combine the sweet potato, chicken, and tuna and mix thoroughly. Form the mixture into small balls. Place the mashed potato into a resealable bag and cut off one corner to form a "decorating bag."

Arrange the balls on a plate to form a "cake" for your cat. Squeeze the mashed potatoes out to decorate your kitty's cake however you like. This cake is especially appropriate if your cat has friends over to celebrate because there's plenty to go around for all!

• Also Read: Can Cats Eat Carrot Cake? Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ

6. Cat-Friendly Frozen Banana Bites

These unusual treats “a-peel” to cats and dogs and are easy to make. Start by placing four ripe bananas in a bowl and mashing them thoroughly. Then, layer the bananas and cat food into a candy mold if you have one or ice cube trays if you don’t. Allow the mixture to freeze overnight. Pop the frozen treats out of the mold and let your cat enjoy them!

7. Catnip Cocktail

If your cat prefers their treats in liquid form, transform yourself into a feline mixologist and craft this kitty-friendly cocktail for them to enjoy. Pour the warm water into a bowl and stir in the chicken stock powder and catnip. Serve to your cat as soon as it’s 5 o’clock somewhere.

Just a quick reminder: this “mocktail” is the only type of cocktail your cat should ever drink. Alcoholic beverages can be dangerous to your cat if ingested.

8. Salmon and Carrot Snacks

These easy two-ingredient treats are sure to appeal to your kitty. Begin by steaming the sliced carrots until they are soft and mashable. Place the carrots in a bowl and mash them into a paste.

Add the salmon and stir to combine. If needed, add just enough flour to allow the mixture to stick together. Then, roll the mixture into small balls and place them on a baking sheet. Freeze the salmon and carrot balls until firm. Once frozen, store in an airtight container and use within 7 days.

9. Baby Food Mini Morsels

These quick, yummy treats are cooked in the microwave and ready in minutes. Start by lining a microwave-safe plate with wax paper. Then, combine the baby food, wheat germ, and tuna juice in a bowl and mix well.

Drop spoonfuls of the baby food mixture onto the plate and microwave on high for 5–8 minutes. When finished, the morsels should be firm and hold their form. Repeat until all the mixture is cooked. Keep refrigerated and discard any uneaten treats after 7 days.

When selecting baby food, avoid brands with onion or garlic, which are toxic to cats.

10. Goat Milk-sicle

For a quick, refreshing treat on a hot day, try making these kitty popsicles. The prep process could not be easier: Pour goat's milk into an ice cube tray or paper cups and place them in the freezer.

Once frozen, remove from the freezer and let your cat lick away to their heart's content. As a bonus, try freezing a bit of your cat's food or another type of treat inside the kitty popsicle for your cat to uncover.

While cats generally tolerate goat's milk better than cow's milk, some may suffer digestive upset. If your cat is one of them, consider making this with specially formulated cat milk instead.

While most cats love treats, consider showing your love and appreciation in a different way by treating your feline companion to our Hepper NomNom Cat Bowl! Keeping our cats healthy and happy is key and this bowl was designed to do just that.

Our recommendation

Hepper NomNom - Spill Proof Elevated Cat Bowl

• NO MESS - The 360° tray on this cat food and water bowl set has a raised design to catch and contain stray crumbs and drips. Protect your indoors and floors from wet and messy meals!
• WHISKER FRIENDLY - Shallow and wide metal containers with flat bottoms ensure your kitty can enjoy mealtime free from whisker fatigue!
• CHEW-SAFE MATERIALS - Kittens and cats love chewing on silicone and soft rubber - but it's a choking hazard. Our cat feeding station materials are anti-chew for a 100% safe feeding frenzy!

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Conclusion

We hope our collection of recipes inspires you to make treats for your cat. Remember, no matter how tasty kitty treats are, most of your cat's daily calories should come from their regular, balanced cat food. Letting your cat live off of treats is like a human living off junk food: tasty but lacking in nutrition. To keep your cat healthy and at an appropriate body weight, limit treats to no more than 10% of their daily calorie intake.

• Related Read: Best Lickable Cat Treats - Reviews & Top Picks

Featured Image Credit: Ripio, Shutterstock