Cat lovers are always on the lookout for other healthy food and treats for their cats.
Angela Willis, in “How To Make Home Made Cat Food” in Savvy Homemade, noted “This is because feeding your cat the wrong type of food can create serious health problems. Many commercial cat foods contain high levels of chemicals, additives, and preservatives that can end up harming your cherished cat.”
“When you’re looking for homemade cat food recipes, always be sure that the ingredients you choose will meet your cat’s nutritional needs, and if not, use a supplement, “ Willis stressed.
Water helps keep your cat very healthy. It is thus important to add food that has water or has high moisture. It is not good to feed your cat only dry food, Willis said.
‘Cats do not have a strong thirst drive which leads to dehydration. In the wild, they would be eating around 80% water mostly from organs of their prey, so if you think about it why would cats need to evolve a thirst response?” Willis said.
Willis also said it is important to know what you CAN NOT feed your cat.
Food To Avoid
These are bad for cats:
1. Chocolate
2. Pork
3. Bacon
4. Onions
5. Bones or raw eggs (cooked eggs are okay)
Your cat can have adverse reactions to this food. These can adversely affect your cat’s system, Willisa said.
“It’s also wise to limit the amount of human-food grade tuna you feed your cat,” Willis said.
The tuna in cans can also contain high levels of mercury.
“In small amounts, this is fine, but over time your cat could end up with large deposits of mercury in its system that could compromise health,” Willis said.
Dog food is also not good for cats as it contains less protein. Your cat needs more protein.
On Raw Diet
“While raw diets have become very fashionable, many vets will tell you that many raw foods could potentially be infested with parasites or bacteria. You should cook any meat you intend to feed your cat to kill any bacterial contaminants,” Willis said.
“You should also remember that raw meat alone could be lacking in sufficient nutrients to keep your cat in optimum health. You may need to add vitamins and minerals to help keep your cat healthy,” added Willis.
It is suggested that a cat owner include food that are sources of the following vitamins: calcium, phosphorus and Omega-3 acids. Or you can give supplements with these vitamins.
Alfalfa and wheatgrass for good sources of added antioxidants and nutrients.
“Always speak with your vet before switching your cat over to a raw diet,” Willis stressed.
Here are some recipes for home-cooked cat meals:
Chunky Meat and Rice Cat Food
Ingredients
· 1/2 pound ground meat (chicken, beef, lamb or turkey are fine)
· 1/4 cup uncooked rice
· 1 large hard-boiled egg
· 4 teaspoons olive oil
· 1 cup chicken stock
What to do:
1. Mash the boiled egg.
2. Mix all ingredients in a saucepan and then bring to a boil over medium-low heat.
3. When the stock is boiling, reduce the heat and simmer gently for 20 minutes or until the stock is less. The rice has cooked by this time and has absorbed some of the stock.
4. Let the cooked cat food mixture cool.
5. Blend the cat food in a food processor until all the ingredients are mashed together.
6. Put in an air-tight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Chicken and Pasta Cat Food
Ingredients
· 1/2 pound ground chicken
· 1 small finely chopped carrot
· 1/2 cup macaroni
· 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
· 1 1/2 cups chicken stock
What to do:
1. Put the oil and the chicken in a saucepan and cook until the chicken is cooked thoroughly.
2. Add the chicken stock, carrot, and macaroni and allow the mixture to boil.
3. When the mixture is boiling rapidly, reduce the heat to low and allow to simmer for 15 minutes, or until the macaroni becomes very tender.
4. When cooked, allow the mixture to cool completely.
5. Blend the mixture in a food processor so the ingredients are mashed together.
6. Then put in an air-tight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Sardine Feast Cat Food
Ingredients
· 1 tin sardines in oil
· 1/2 cup cooked rice
· 1/2 teaspoon finely chopped parsley
What to do:
1. Cook the rice until it is very soft.
2. Drain the rice of water, then pour the can of sardines in oil and the finely chopped parsley.
3. Mix the ingredients well.
4. Store the unused mixture in an airtight container in the fridge until needed again.
Meat and Oats Cat Food
Ingredients
· 1 cup rolled oats
· 3 cups water
· 1 hard-boiled egg
· 1 pound minced beef
· 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
· 1 tablespoon finely chopped spinach
What to do:
1. Boil the oats in water until they become very soft and begin to absorb the water.
2. Boil an egg.
3. Remove the eggshell and mash the egg into the oats.
4. In a frying pan, add the oil and beef and cook thoroughly.
5. Add the beef into the mixture of oats and egg and stir through the finely chopped spinach.
6. Mix all ingredients well.
7. Store the unused mixture in an air tight container in the fridge until needed again.
Photos by Tani Benedito