For Cat People
Thanks to Rover sitter Janelle Leeson for this visitor submit, initially printed on her weblog, Paws PDX Travels, which chronicles her adventures together with her cats, Lyra and Atlas.
We love fall. From crispy leaves underneath our paws, to chill afternoon hikes, it’s actually the very best season to be an journey cat!
Like lots of our cat journey associates, we take puree push-up treats on each hike. They are a high-reward deal with and supply very important hydration. But store-bought treats will be full of preservatives, so whereas I sip on my 600-calorie pumpkin spiced latte, I need to make sure that my cats eat the very best meals.
So, I placed on my cozy sweater and I started working making my very own fall-inspired DIY cat push-up deal with.
Courtesy Janelle Leeson
Can Cats Eat Pumpkin?
Cats can eat pumpkin within the appropriate type and amount. And it’s nonetheless more healthy than my PSL.
Let’s begin by discussing the weight-reduction plan cats are born to eat. They are obligate carnivores, which implies they have been born to eat animal proteins. Their our bodies aren’t actually meant to interrupt down and digest plant proteins—like pumpkin, corn, potato, or a number of the different elements sometimes present in industrial pet meals. You can be taught extra about Atlas and Lyra’s weight-reduction plan right here.
However, a small quantity of pure pureed pumpkin is okay as a deal with each every now and then. In reality, pumpkin is low in energy and excessive in fiber, filling your cat up with out wrecking their weight administration targets. And, in case your cat is experiencing digestive upset (diarrhea or constipation), the soluble and insoluble fiber present in pumpkin might help get issues again on monitor. But an excessive amount of pumpkin and your cat might develop digestive upset.
Remember, pumpkin must be use as an occasional deal with and any long-term digestive points, in addition to your cat’s weight-reduction plan usually, must be mentioned together with your vet.
As for pumpkin pie and pumpkin pie filling? Keep the pie all to your self! Spices resembling allspice and cloves are poisonous to our feline associates. Not to say the upset abdomen they could expertise from sugar, milk, and different elements.
Pumpkin Push-Up Cat Treats
For these limited-ingredient treats, I selected three elements: hen, pumpkin, and water. It’s that easy.
The enjoyable factor about this recipe (aside from sharing a secure Thanksgiving deal with together with your cat!) is that it will possibly simply be altered. Feel free to modify up the protein and add different elements which are scrumptious and helpful to your cat—uncooked goat’s milk, fish oil, and dietary yeast are only a few nice choices! Or, you may sprinkle slightly catnip on prime and you’ve got your self a pawty deal with!
- Author: Janelle Leeson
- Yield: 6 3-oz treats 1x
Scale
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless hen breast
- 1/3 cup pure pureed pumpkin
- 1/2 cup water or cooking liquid (such because the water used to boil the hen)
Instructions
Cook the hen: In a medium-sized saucepan, place two boneless and skinless breasts in simply sufficient water to cowl. Bring the water to a simmer, cowl, and cook dinner till the hen reaches an inner temperature of 160 levels Fahrenheit.
Blend the elements: Remove the hen from the pan to chill, reserving the liquid for later. Roughly chop the hen and place it in a high-powered blender or meals processor together with the pure pumpkin puree. Add 1/2 water or reserved cooking liquid and mix, including extra water as wanted till the combination is clean.
Fill your molds: Transfer your blended puree to a freezer-safe, single-serving container, leaving a half-inch hole between puree and the highest for growth within the freezer. You can serve instantly, or freeze for as much as 4 months. Optionally, sprinkle the highest of the deal with with catnip.
Notes
To serve and retailer my do-it-yourself treats, I purchased silicone molds. Although my cats are raw-fed, I selected to make use of cooked protein for secure serving. Altas and Lyra cherished the deal with contemporary, or pop them within the freezer for as much as 4 months for a chilly deal with!
Using these molds, my treats have been about 3 ounces every, which is giant. If you’ve got two or extra cats sharing the deal with, this serving measurement is appropriate. For one cat I might advocate filling the molds solely midway.
About the creator: Janelle Leeson is a Rover sitter, a cat mum to 2 resident journey kitties, and a cat mum to quite a few cat and kitten fosters! Janelle and her furry household get pleasure from filling their days with mountaineering, kayaking, and searching for out the very best cat-friendly locations. Janelle can also be one of many recipients of the 2021 Rover Above and Beyond award. You can observe Janelle, her journey kitties, and her adoptable fosters at @paws_pdx and Paws PDX Travels.
Further Reading
- The 9 Best Healthy Cat Treats: Delicious and Nutritious Snacks for Kitty
- 4 Frozen Cat Treats to Help Keep Your Kitty Cool as a Cat
- Raw Food Diet for Cats: Everything You Need to Know
