Homemade Cat Treat Recipes: 4 Easy DIY Treats Your Cat Will Go Crazy For
Make healthy homemade cat treats your cat will love. Tuna & catnip bites, chicken jerky, salmon pâté bites, and turkey & pumpkin treats — all easy, all cat-safe.
Walk down any pet store aisle and you'll see treat bags with ingredient lists longer than a grocery receipt — artificial flavors, preservatives, and fillers your cat definitely doesn't need. More and more cat owners are skipping all that and making their own homemade cat treat recipes at home instead. And honestly? It's way easier than you'd think.
Making your own DIY cat treats gives you total control over what goes in them, costs a fraction of what you'd spend at the store, and — maybe best of all — your cat gets something genuinely fresh and delicious. There's also something really satisfying about watching your cat go absolutely feral for a treat you made yourself.
This post has four easy cat treat recipes your cat will love: tuna & catnip bites, chicken jerky strips, salmon & cream cheese pâté bites, and turkey & pumpkin treats. We'll also cover what makes a great homemade treat, what ingredients to avoid, and how to store what you make.
What Makes a Good Homemade Cat Treat?
Cats are obligate carnivores — meaning their bodies are built to run on animal protein, not grains or vegetables. When you're making healthy cat treats homemade, the goal is simple: protein-forward, minimal filler, no garbage.
- High protein. Chicken, tuna, salmon, turkey — these should be the star. Not fillers.
- Moisture matters. Cats notoriously underdrink water. Treats with some moisture content (like the pâté bites below) are great for hydration.
- Small ingredients list. The fewer ingredients, the better. If you can pronounce everything on the list, you're doing great.
- No harmful additives. No onion, garlic, artificial sweeteners, or chocolate — more on this below.
You don't need any special equipment — a baking sheet, a fork, and a mixing bowl will get you through all four recipes here.
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Before you start, here's a quick list of what NOT to include. These are toxic to cats — even in small amounts:
- ❌ Onion & garlic — damage red blood cells, can cause anemia (this includes powdered forms!)
- ❌ Raisins & grapes — linked to kidney damage
- ❌ Xylitol — artificial sweetener found in some “sugar-free” products; toxic to cats
- ❌ Raw dough — yeast expands in the stomach and produces alcohol as a byproduct
- ❌ Chocolate — theobromine is toxic to cats
- ❌ Alcohol — even small amounts can cause serious harm
When in doubt, keep it simple: plain cooked proteins + cat-safe add-ins only.
4 Homemade Cat Treat Recipes
1. Tuna & Catnip Bites
Easy · 4 ingredients · Baked
Ingredients: 1 can (5 oz) tuna in water (drained), 1 egg, ⅓ cup whole wheat or oat flour, 1 tsp dried catnip
Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment. Mash the drained tuna until mostly smooth, then mix in the egg, flour, and catnip until a dough forms — it'll be a little sticky. Roll into small balls (about ½ tsp each), place on the baking sheet, and flatten slightly. Bake 12–15 minutes until firm and lightly golden. Cool completely before serving.
Makes ~30–40 treats. The catnip is optional, but it makes these absolutely irresistible to most cats. Freeze half the batch right away for later.
2. Chicken Jerky Strips
Minimal ingredients · Oven-dried · Chewy
Ingredients: 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts · Optional: a tiny pinch of dried parsley
Preheat oven to 200°F and line a baking sheet with a wire rack if you have one. Slice chicken as thin as possible — about ⅛ inch. Partially freezing the chicken first (20 minutes in the freezer) makes slicing much easier. Lay strips in a single layer and bake 2–2.5 hours, flipping once halfway through. You want them fully dried — no soft spots. Let cool completely; they'll firm up more as they cool.
Makes ~20–25 strips. The low-and-slow heat dehydrates rather than cooks — this is what gives them that chewy jerky texture cats love. Keeps in the fridge 5 days or freezer 3 months.
3. Salmon & Cream Cheese Pâté Bites
Soft texture · Great for older cats · Refrigerate
Ingredients: 1 can (5 oz) pink salmon in water (drained, large bones removed), 2 oz plain cream cheese (softened), 1 tbsp plain pumpkin purée, 1 egg
Preheat oven to 325°F and lightly grease a mini muffin tin. Mash the drained salmon until smooth, then mix in the softened cream cheese, pumpkin purée, and egg until fully combined. Spoon about 1 tablespoon into each muffin cup. Bake 15–18 minutes until set. Cool completely, then refrigerate.
Makes ~12–15 bites. These are soft and moist — perfect for senior cats who have dental issues or just prefer a gentler texture. Refrigerate and use within 4–5 days, or freeze the same day you make them.
4. Turkey & Pumpkin Treats
Gut-friendly · Sensitive stomachs · Baked
Ingredients: ½ cup cooked ground turkey (plain, no seasoning), ¼ cup plain pumpkin purée (canned is fine — not pie filling!), 1 egg, ½ cup oat flour
Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment. Mix all ingredients until a soft dough forms — it'll be a bit sticky. Drop by small spoonfuls onto the baking sheet and flatten gently with a fork. Bake 15–18 minutes until firm. Cool completely before serving.
Makes ~25–30 treats. Pumpkin is genuinely great for cats with digestive issues — it adds fiber and moisture, which helps things move along. If your cat has a sensitive stomach, these are the perfect starting treat.
Tips for Storing Homemade Cat Treats
Since you're not adding any preservatives — which is the whole point — shelf life is shorter than store-bought. Here's what to know:
- Fridge: Most homemade cat treats keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for 4–5 days.
- Freezer: Baked treats (tuna bites, chicken jerky, turkey pumpkin) freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Freeze in a single layer first, then transfer to a bag.
- Soft/dairy-based treats (like the salmon pâté bites): Refrigerate and use within 4–5 days. Freeze leftovers the same day you make them.
A quick sniff test goes a long way. If something smells off, toss it — no hesitation.
How to Introduce New Treats to Your Cat
Even when you're feeding something wholesome and homemade, it's smart to ease in:
- Start small. Offer one or two treats the first time, not a whole batch.
- Watch for reactions. Loose stools, vomiting, or unusual scratching in the 24 hours after can signal sensitivity.
- One new recipe at a time. If you're introducing multiple new treats, do them one at a time so you know which ingredient is the culprit if something is off.
- Go slower with kittens and seniors. Their digestive systems can be more reactive to new foods.
Most cats do great with these recipes right away — but it's always better to ease in. And if you're looking to go beyond treats, check out our guide to homemade cat food recipes for full meal ideas.
Want 50+ More Recipes?
If you want a full guide to feeding your cat better — including 50+ recipes for meals and treats — The Happy Cat Kitchen ebook has everything you need. It's $12.97 and you can download it instantly.
Buy The Happy Cat Kitchen → $12.97Or sign up for free pet nutrition tips — practical, no-fluff guidance for cat owners who want to feed better.