Homemade cat treats are the purrr-fect way to show your feline friends some extra love. Made with only four ingredients, these chewy cat treats are simple to make. These treats will quickly become your favorite go-to for a wholesome recipe with no additives. Your cat will agree-these tuna treats are delicious!
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If you're like me, you might not be a cat fanatic, but you probably have a place in your heart for our feline friends. I originally made these homemade cat treats for my husband's cat Rudi. After escaping into the wild for a one-week adventure, I baked these delicious and chewy treats as a welcome home treat for Rudi. It was a nice break from my typical cookie and cake recipes!
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Why you'll love this recipe
- No additives: With no extra ingredients, you'll know exactly what natural foods your cat is eating. You'll never purchase a store-bought cat treat again!
- Easy to make: Only four ingredients... it doesn't get any easier than this.
- Perfect as a gift: These treats can be packaged up beautifully to make a thoughtful gift for a friend or family member with a cat.
More about our key ingredients
- Canned Tuna: It's no surprise that most cats are attracted to the robust smell and taste of tuna. The canned tuna in this recipe will have your cat coming back for more!
- Whole Wheat Flour: Flour gives these cat treats structure. I like the heartiness that whole wheat flour brings to this recipe.
- Olive Oil + Egg: The oil and egg provide additional moisture and binding power to make the treats stick together.
Frequently asked questions
Absolutely! Small amounts of tuna are fine for your cat to consume. However, it's important to remember that this is a treat and should not be the sole source of nutrition for your feline friend.
Your cat should never eat raw dough. It can expand in the stomach and lead many kinds of intestinal issues. Make sure you fully cook any treats for your cat-the ones in this recipe included!
HEATHER'S HELPFUL HINT
Making your own pet treats is fun and easy, and you can feel good about giving them to your pet. But remember, these treats should make up only a small part of your cat's overall diet.
Step-by-step: how to make these homemade cat treats
The entire recipe is below and can be printed to save for later. Before you get there, let's walk through it step-by-step, so you understand what you're doing beforehand.
Add canned tuna to a small food processor. Pulse until tuna is finely chopped.
In a large bowl, combine tuna, whole wheat flour, and egg. Mix together until combined. Add olive oil and stir until fully incorporated.
Scoop about a tablespoon of dough and form into 1-inch balls. Place on a lined baking sheet. Once all the balls have been formed, use the tines of a fork to press firmly down on each ball.
Make ahead and storage tips
- I don't recommend making this dough in advance. Wail until you're ready to bake the treats, and then make the dough right beforehand.
- These cat treats can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. I don't recommend leaving them out at room temperature because of the egg and tuna. At maximum, I would leave them out for a day.
- You can definitely freeze these cat treats! After they have cooled completely, store them in a ziptop back for up to three months in the freezer. You could easily double this recipe and freeze half for later.
Recipe variations
There are a number of different ways to switch up this recipe according to your taste!
- If you get creative with this recipe, just remember that cats should never eat onion, garlic, kelp, grapes or raisins, sugary treats, chocolate, and alcoholic or caffeinated drinks, even in small doses.
- For an added bonus, try adding a tablespoon of catnip into the dough for your cat. You can find dried or fresh catnip at most pet stores.
- You could easily swap out canned tuna for canned salmon. Or even do a combination of both in this recipe!
Try these other desserts from My Sweet Precision
Recipe
Homemade Cat Treats
Equipment
- small food processor
- 19 x 13-inch half-sheet baking pan
- parchment paper
Ingredients
- 5 ounces canned tuna not drained
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 large egg lightly beaten
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Place a rack in the center of your oven. Preheat the oven to 350° Fahrenheit. Line a 19 x 13-inch half-sheet baking pan with parchment paper.
- Add canned tuna to a small food processor. Pulse until tuna is finely chopped.
- In a large bowl, combine tuna, whole wheat flour, and egg. Mix together until combined. Add olive oil and stir until fully incorporated.
- Scoop about a tablespoon of dough and form into 1-inch balls. Place on a lined baking sheet. Once all the balls have been formed, use the tines of a fork to press firmly down on each ball.
- Bake for approximately 12-14 minutes, or until the treats are slightly browned on the bottom. Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet.
Notes and Tips
- Scaling the Recipe: You can definitely double or triple this recipe if you want to make extra treats.
- Baking Time: If you want these treats to be a little less chewy, you can bake them for an extra 4-5 minutes. It all depends on what you think your cat will enjoy.
- Recipe Substitutions: Feel free to add a tablespoon of catnip to this recipe. Your cat will say thank you!
Nutrition
This recipe was originally posted in November 2012. It was updated in March 2021 with new pictures and a few updates to the recipe.
Virginia says
Can I use silicone baking molds instead of cookie cutters?
Heather says
Yes, absolutely! You may have to adjust the baking time depending on the size of the molds. Just keep a close eye on them, and you should be fine!
Dave says
Nice, now both me and the Cat are Gonna get high.
Heather says
Haha! I hope your kitty goes absolutely wild for the treats—mine sure does a happy dance whenever I make them.
Georgia says
How long do these last
Heather says
These cat treats can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. I don't recommend leaving them out at room temperature because of the egg and tuna. At maximum, I would leave them out for a day.
You can definitely freeze these cat treats! After they have cooled completely, store them in a ziptop back for up to three months in the freezer. You could easily double this recipe and freeze half for later.
Katelyn says
How long do they stay good for and do they have to be refrigerated?
Heather says
Yes, the treats do need to be refrigerated. Since they’re made with fresh ingredients and don’t have any preservatives, it’s best to store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay good for about 1 week. If you want to keep them longer, you can pop them in the freezer — they’ll last up to 2 months that way. Just let them thaw a bit before treating your kitty!
Anita says
Have you ever baked these in a mold?
Thank you,
Anita
Heather says
I haven’t baked them in a mold myself, but I think it could definitely work! I’d just keep a close eye on the baking time—it might vary depending on the size and shape of the molds you're using. Let me know how it goes!
Jade says
Between the flour in the recipe and your admitted dislike for cats, I'm starting to think your motives are nefarious.
Heather says
I promise, no evil mastermind plans here! Many readers have loved this recipe, and as noted, it's perfectly fine for cats in moderation. If you have determined that a grain-free diet is best for your cat, this recipe would not be a good fit for your kitty.
lindsey says
PARSLEY IS TOXIC TO CATS DONT ADD IN
Heather says
Yes, please do you catnip as an add-in if you desire. Now noted in the recipe!
Evelyn says
My cat loves them !
Heather says
I'm so glad these were a winner for your cat, Evelyn!
Marcy Martin says
Can this receipe be dehydrated by baking the treats at 225 for a couple of hours for longer shelf life? I would not want Draco to eat a whole batch in 3 days. (Draco is a large Maine Coon) I make treats for the dogs training and its not fair that the dogs get a treat and he does't. FYI....Draco runs to the dogs when its treat time and sits and waits with the dogs for treats....lucky for him his spirit friend (Mocha, a Belgian Tervuren) shares her treats with him.
Heather says
Hi Marcy, I love that you're making treats for your feline friend! I haven't tested this particular recipe with a low oven temp for multiple hours to dehydrate the treats. I think this discussion has some good tips, and I definitely think you could have success with this!
Nickal V says
Make sure you gives these in small amounts and not often if you use grain flour. Grains can be harmful in large and frequent amounts. A good replacement would be oat flour since its a similar ratio.
Nickal V says
I meant wheat.. oops
Heather says
Absolutely Nickal, these are a definitely a treat (small quantities) and should not replace food!
Dawn says
Fantastic!
Nicole says
Cats are carnivores this recipe will cause harm to your cat. Exclude the damn grains and it’s fine. You’ll be slowly killing your cat with grains. Hence why GRAIN FREE food is preferred. Not everyone with a blog is credible
Heather says
Hi Nicole, I appreciate your comments with feedback on this recipe. You commented multiple times on this post under different names, so I am responding to this comment. I 100% recommend doing research on the best diet for your cat before making any recipe on the internet (mine included). If you have determined that a grain-free diet is best for your cat, this recipe will not work for you.
Jackie says
How long will these be shelf-stable?
Heather says
At room temperature these will last about three days. In the fridge they'll be good up to one week. Hope your kitty enjoys!
Ana says
Don’t give them to your cat unless you make sure they’re SALT FREE. I hate how the author never bothers to mention how it could be deadly to your pet. Do your research on recipes for your fur baby. Some people just want views on their page. SALT FREE GRAIN FREE!!
Heather says
Hi Ana, I appreciate your comments with feedback on this recipe. I 100% recommend doing research on the best diet for your cat before making any recipe on the internet (mine included). If you have determined that a salt-free and grain-free diet is best for your cat, this recipe will not work for you.
Mary Lacount says
My kitties like frisky canned food could I add this to recipe instead of canned tuna.? Also my kitties eat the sweet potato and spinach out of my dogs dry food. Would you have a recipe for dehydrated sweet potato and spinach?
Heather says
Hi Mary, absolutely feel free to substitute your canned food in place of tuna in this recipe! Unfortunately, I don't have a recipe for dehydrated spinach or sweet potato, but that's such a great idea!
Magda Prudden says
Good info. Lucky me I ran across your blog by chance (stumbleupon). I've saved it for later!
Heather says
I'm so glad you found the recipe! I'd love to hear how it turns out once you give it a try :-)
Laurel Ramoser says
Do these need to be refrigerated?
If NOT, how do you store them?
And how long do they last?
Laurel Ramoser says
Ooooops! Just found answers!!!
Sarah says
I added catnip to this recipe and my cat really enjoyed the treats! Made a double batch and froze some as you suggested—great idea. Thanks for the recipe.
Carol says
Can you use regular flour
Heather says
Yes, regular flour will work just fine with the same results!
synthetikat says
I'm always trying to cook and create healthy for my other half and myself. I never thought of doing it for our little fur babies. I'm definitely going to have to try this. Thanks for a good and easy looking recipe!
Heather (Sweet Precision) says
It was so much fun to make the treats! Make sure you store them in the fridge. I didn't and mine only lasted about a week!
synthetikat says
Oh thank you for letting me know. I probably would have tossed them in the cupboard and forgotten about them until I smelled something terrible, haha.
Meow says
My cat hated these. :( I even added the catnip!
Heather says
I'm so sorry to hear that your cat didn't enjoy these, what a disappointment. Definitely let me know if you have any feedback on the recipe!
Melissa says
Can you use oat flour or coconut flour instead of whole wheat flour?
Heather says
Hi Melissa, I haven't tested this recipe with coconut flour so I can't say with 100% certainty. But, it's safe for cats and mot sources say substitute 1/4 to 1/3 of coconut flour for 1 cup of regular flour.
Skylor @sprouthealthlifestyle says
How sweet are you to make treats for Rudi? Rudi just needed a little adventure! What a sweet cat!
Sweet Precision says
He was so tiny when he finally made his way back home! I wonder what he was eating in the wild for 1 month... clearly not homemade treats!
post-it man says
Rudi Loves them, though I am certain he loves you more!!
Sweet Precision says
That's right he better like them! Just put them somewhere where he can't break into the bag!