We’re pretty sure Mittens already makes an appearance in your family’s holiday photos and cards — maybe even in a little stocking cap or elf outfit — so why not include them in the rest of your holiday festivities? If your curious cat has a tendency to help themselves to your party trays, that’s all the more reason to prepare one they can enjoy themselves.
Here are three holiday cat-treat recipes to prep at home for your next festive gathering. Not only can you include your furry family member in your party planning, but it also might just make them less likely to paw through the humans’ party trays and stocking stuffers.
Just remember: If you’re unsure whether an ingredient or scrap is safe for your pet, consult this full list of foods you should never feed to your pet, courtesy of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). You should also always consult your veterinarian about your pet’s diet, as they are the experts.
1. Healthy Kitten Snowmen Biscuits
The building blocks of standard cat biscuits leave room for careful experimentation. Start with this basic cat-treat recipe and adjust for the holiday — they’re the cat’s meow!
Ingredients:
- 1 canned, low-sodium salmon
- 1 ¼ cup oat flour
- 1 egg
- A handful of canned peas
- Good olive oil, about 1 tablespoon
- Catnip, to taste
Method:
Blend your ingredients until pureed. Shape your dough into balls, cut into wee snowmen, then bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes.
Recipe adapted from Mess For Less.
2. Kitty Fish Pops
Frozen fishy water might not sound appetizing to you, but these ice pops are a feline delicacy.
Ingredients:
- Low-fat, low-sodium fish broth
- Canned, low-sodium tuna or salmon
Method:
Combine your fish broth and fish in a blender or food processor. Make sure the fish breaks down sufficiently, or opt for broth only. Fill an ice cube tray with the mixture, then freeze until solid. Serve in a bowl to avoid fishy ice melting on your floor.
3. Tuna “Gingerbread Man” Cookies
This hearty cat-treat recipe provides your cat with plenty of protein, and they’ll look adorable as they nibble away. Shape the cookies into anything you want, from gingerbread men to gingerbread mice.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup wheat flour
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 egg (beaten)
- ½ cup water
- ¾ cups cooked or canned low-sodium tuna
Method:
Combine wheat flour and cornmeal. Mix in the beaten egg, water, and tuna until doughy. Roll out dough with a rolling pin and cut your desired cookie shapes with a knife or a mold. Set oven to 375 degrees and bake for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool before serving.
Recipe adapted from Nepeta Cataria.
We predict you’ll see much less cat burglary around the dinner table this holiday season; they’ll be too busy enjoying these holiday cat treats from Santa Paws.
