Make Cat Treats Yourself: Autumn Recipes for Your Cat

In autumn, it's not just us humans who get to enjoy delicious seasonal treats – your cat can benefit from the variety of autumn ingredients too. Pumpkin, sweet potato and co. are wonderfully suited, in small amounts, for making healthy and tasty treats for your cat yourself. Here you'll learn which ingredients you can use and how to whip up simple recipes your cat will love.

Which autumn ingredients are suitable for homemade cat snacks?

Not all foods that are delicious for us in autumn are also suitable for cats. Here's a list of ingredients that are safe and healthy for your cat:

• Pumpkin is (in small amounts) a wonderful ingredient for cats, as it's easy to digest and contains lots of fiber. It helps regulate digestion and can support cats with stomach and intestinal issues.

• Sweet potatoes are rich in vitamins and minerals and (in small amounts) a great addition to cat treats. They're easy to digest and have a slightly sweet taste that many cats enjoy.
  
• Lean, cooked chicken is a great source of protein and is very well tolerated by cats. It works perfectly mixed into small treats.
  
• Catnip is a favorite of many cats and can help make homemade treats even more appealing. Not all cats respond to catnip, so give it a try first.

Easy recipe: Homemade pumpkin cat treats

This easy recipe combines healthy pumpkin with a bit of chicken to give your cat a tasty autumn snack.

Ingredients:

• 100 g pumpkin (steamed or baked)
• 50 g cooked chicken (unseasoned)
• 1 tsp catnip (optional)

Preparation:

1. Steam or bake the pumpkin until soft, then let it cool completely.
2. Finely chop or purée the cooked chicken.
3. Mix the cooled pumpkin with the chicken and add catnip to taste.
4. Form small balls from the mixture and place them on a baking sheet.
5. Bake in the oven at 160°C for about 15 minutes, until the treats are firm but not too hard.
6. Let cool and serve to your cat as a snack.

You can store these treats in the fridge for up to a week or freeze them in portions.

What foods should I not feed my cat?

Some foods that are popular in autumn can be toxic or hard for cats to digest. Here's a list of examples of ingredients you should avoid:

1. Onions and garlic
Both are toxic to cats and should never be included in their food.

2. Grapes and raisins
These fruits can cause kidney failure in cats and are extremely dangerous.

3. Nuts
Nuts, especially macadamia nuts, can cause digestive problems in cats and should be avoided.

Why make cat treats yourself?

Homemade cat treats have several advantages. You know exactly which ingredients are included and can make sure they're healthy and nutritious for your cat. You can also tailor the treats to your cat's preferences and needs, for example in the case of allergies or food intolerances.