Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on everything good in your life — including your cat! Cats love the smell of turkey in the oven, but they shouldn’t actually share in most of the human food you’ve prepared. Small bones can pose choking hazards, and many additives in your Thanksgiving recipes can be harmful to your cat.
At Dan’s Pet Care, we try to include our pets in holiday celebrations whenever we have — in fun, safe ways that put their well-being first. This Thanksgiving, why not try make your cat their very own homemade treats? During Thanksgiving dinner, they won’t be left out — and they can enjoy leftovers, along with you, for days to come! Keep reading to discover a few of our favorite recipes for Thanksgiving cat treats.
Incorporating cat treats into your pet’s diet
Before you start making homemade treats for your pet, there are a few tips you should keep in mind:
Be careful not to overfeed your cat. Typically, whatever calories you offer as treats should be subtracted from their normal meal calories. Talk with your veterinarian about your cat’s calorie and nutritional needs to ensure you’re providing a balanced diet.
Check ingredient labels carefully. Added ingredients can prove harmful to your cat, so be sure to do your research and determine whether additives are safe.
Recipe # 1: Sweet potato treats with healthy fats for your cat
Cats love fish, and salmon is a great way to provide your cat with healthy omega-3 fatty acids to keep them healthy. Your cat can’t share your sweet potato casserole, but they can enjoy sweet potatoes in safe ways. This treat recipe combines sweet potato and salmon for a nutritional punch.
Ingredients:
1 can salmon (14 ounces)
1 and 1/2 cups of sweet potato, boiled and mashed with no ingredients added
1 and 1/2 cups of uncooked oatmeal
Directions:
First, combine the salmon and sweet potato in a bowl until well mixed. Pulse the oatmeal in a food processor, then add it to the salmon and sweet potato mixture. Freeze the mixture in an ice cube tray, then feed to your cat! These treats can be messy as they melt, so you may want to feed them to your cat in a dish with raised edges.
Feline cornbread treats your cat will love
Cornbread is a Thanksgiving staple, especially in stuffings and dressings to go with your turkey. Your cat can share in the fun, too! These treats are easy to make and fun to share with your cat.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup white cornmeal
1 5-ounce can of tuna
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup water
Directions:
Mix all ingredients in a bowl, then form into small, flat, bite-sized balls. Bake these in a 350 degree oven for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven, flip them over, and bake them for another 5 minutes. Cool and serve to your cat!
Green beans with wet cat food for extra fiber and vitamins
There are few Thanksgiving dinner sides more iconic than a green bean casserole. Whether you actually like this dish or not, no one can deny that it makes your holiday table feel complete. Your cat shouldn’t eat mushroom soup or fried onions, but you can make them their very own green bean casserole they’re sure to love.
This recipe is simple, since it contains only two ingredients: wet cat food and green beans. Start with fresh or frozen green beans, with no salt or other ingredients added. Steam the green beans, if fresh, or cook them from frozen. Then stir them into a can of your cat’s favorite wet food!
Pumpkin pudding your cat can enjoy while you’re passing the pie around
Cats can’t eat pumpkin pie safely — it’s too full of sugar and other ingredients that can make them sick. But your cat can definitely share in the seasonal celebration of pumpkin. Your cat will love eating this pudding as their very own Thanksgiving “dessert.”
Again, this recipe is incredibly simple. Start with pumpkin (cooked from fresh or canned). Make sure there are no added ingredients. Then, add yogurt (plain, unsweetened, and with no added ingredients). Stir them together to form a smooth pudding for your cat. To make this dish even more tempting, garnish it with catnip sprigs!
Treat your cat to the best pet care available on Long Island!
At Dan’s Pet Care, we provide high-quality care for pets on Long Island who deserve the very best. If you need help caring for your cat this fall, contact us today and let’s get started!
