How to spoil your cat on valentine's day | Healthy cat treat recipes

February 10, 2017
by DR Roxanne Jones

Whether your cat is an affectionate ball of fluff or a more aloof little floof, one thing’s for sure: if you’re wrapped around her paw, you’ll want to show her some extra special love this Valentine’s Day!

If you already have a house full of toy mice, ping pong balls and catnip, it might be time to think of something new. How about spoiling her with her very own healthy, homemade cat treats, packed with yummy ingredients? Mmm, whisker-licking good!

Here are two of my favourite healthy cat treat recipes.

Recipe: Fish cakes for cats

Ingredients

3 baby carrots

1 tin of salt-free or low sodium tuna

1 tin of cooked sardines

2 tbsp bread crumb

3 tbsp grated parmesan cheese

1 tsp catnip

1 egg="" beaten

Method

Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celcius.

Cook the carrots until soft, then mash them. Pour off the liquid from the sardines and the tuna, and reserve for later. Add all the ingredients, except the catnip and the tinned fish liquid, to a medium-sized bowl. Mix well, and then roll the mixture into balls or divide into a greased muffin tray.

Bake for 20 minutes or until firm.

Remove the fish cakes from the oven and allow to cool completely. Once cool, drizzle some of the tinned fish liquid over each little cake, and then sprinkle with catnip. Serve this totally irresistible treat to your cats for their best-ever Valentine’s Day!

Recipe: No-bake mini cakes for cat

Ingredients

1 tin of salt-free or low sodium tuna

½ cup chicken mince

½ cup sweet potato, pureed

Mashed sweet potato for icing (optional)

Method

Line a baking tray or chopping board with wax paper. Drain the liquid from the tuna, and then flake the fish into a medium-sized bowl. Add the chicken and stir in the potato puree – add just enough to hold the mixture together. You may not need the entire cup.

If you find that your mixture is too watery, add some rice flour. Shape the dough into small, round, pancake-like cakes, roughly 10 cm in diameter.

Optional: icing

If you think your kitty will appreciate it, pipe a little mashed potato onto each cake. Write a note or draw a heart if you like. It looks pretty, but keep in mind not all cats will enjoy the mash.

Tip: freeze leftover cakes for later.

Other sweet ways to spoil your kitty this Valentine’s Day

Massage your furbaby with a brushing mit. Most cats love this!
Enjoy a dinner for two and treat him to these safe human foods for cats.
Buy yourself a gift and give your kitty the packaging. She’ll be thrilled with her new box or bag, and will enjoy hours of fun, pouncing in and out of it.
Dissolve beef, chicken or fish stock in water and freeze in ice cube trays. Once frozen, give them to your cat (or dog) to lick on hot summery days. It’s a delicious treat that’ll cool them down.

Visit our Facebook page and tell us how you spoiled your favourite feline this Valentine’s Day. Share your photos too – we’d love to see the treats you create!

Keep in mind that healthy kitties are happier, so don’t overdo the treats – give them in moderation only. Happy Valentine’s Day to you and your beloved furbaby!

Posted in