Question:
I'm wanting to start making my own cat treats. I can't buy commercial because of Bruce's allergies and the sheer expense of them - with four cats, a tiny $5.00 bag of treats is out of the question. Anyway, I'm looking online now for recipes (and will "veganize" as necessary), but am wondering if anyone else makes their own pet treats and wants to share or recommend recipes?

Also, I'm a bit confused because some of the recipes I'm finding call for boullion cubes. The cubes I have, however, contain onion as an ingredient. But I thought onion was toxic for cats?

Thanks!


Answer:
Yes, onion and garlic are supposed to be bad for cats. They cause anemia. Not sure of the exact mechanism of it all, but that is what I have read also.


Answer:
Most commercially made broths have too much sodium anyway. I would make your own broth if that's what it comes down to.

We don't give the cats a lot of treats except for tuna jerky (dehydrated tuna) and different types of cat food. Is there another hypoallergenic food that Brucie can have? We often get samples and give the cats a few everyday. It tastes different than their regular food and they think it's treats.


Answer:
am i the only one who shudders at the thought of vegan dog or cat food?


Answer:
Thanks guys. Candice, Brucie can eat the Natura foods - California Natural, Innova Lite and Evo. I could definitely give them all a few pieces of Evo a day as a treat - that's an excellent idea. I'd still like to make my own, though, but would make my own broth to go into them. Thanks!

najiwench, I'm not switching them to vegan food - just wanting to add some vegan treats to their diet. Although, I have been doing some research on vegan foods for cats and dogs and as long as supplements are added, it's meant to be quite healthy. Dogs are easier to switch than cats, whose nutritional needs are more complicated, but apparently it can be done and the animals thrive on it. As long as it's ensured they're getting all the nutrients it can be safe.

P.S. I should add that the reason I'm planning to make "vegan" treats for the cats is because I don't buy or consume meat or dairy and so don't have it in the house. I'm not enforcing a vegan diet on them just by making vegan treats to feed them occasionally.


Answer:
ah..i figured that was what it was...and just to clarify, it wasn't you i was referring to in the other post..was somebody else from way back, for the life of me i can't remember who *sigh*


Answer:
I think I know to whom you're referring. She had actually said she couldn't stomach feeding a BARF diet to her pets.

I didn't take personal offence to your other post -- I think it's an excellent chance to debate the pros and cons of a vegan diet for pets. I prolly won't be able to respond til tonight, though, as today promises to be busy at work.

Meanwhile, is there anyone with recipes for cat treats?


Answer:
Bridget, Ive been searching for you and there really doesnt seem to be any recipes out there,,,theres some with just bacon in it for a meat product,,,,isnt there a vegetarian bacon out there?? i think there is, but you could probably use that

Ill look some more and see if i can find anything


Answer:
Thanks Brandy - that's awfully nice of you to have a look for me. Don't spend too much time looking, though; I don't want you to go to any trouble. Yes, you're totally right -- there's a vegetarian/vegan version for just about any kind of mainstream flesh that's on the market, so I could use the Yves fake bacon for that recipe


Answer:
hahaha i just saw your post after i did mine about treats!! although i doubt i will try to market a vegan cat treat since it would not be as popular with cats as with say guinea pigs. the reason i wanted to make my own treats is because there is so much crap out there for cat treats unlike dog which are easy to find good wholesome treats.