{"id":21639,"date":"2023-10-24T10:00:39","date_gmt":"2023-10-24T10:00:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cats.com\/?p=21639"},"modified":"2025-09-19T12:05:33","modified_gmt":"2025-09-19T12:05:33","slug":"homemade-cat-food-recipes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cats.com\/homemade-cat-food-recipes","title":{"rendered":"5 Delicious Homemade Cat Food Recipes"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Kate Barrington \/ Cats.com<\/p><\/div>\n

Note<\/i><\/b><\/em><\/strong>: The cat food recipes in this article are not intended to be the basis for a complete diet.<\/strong> <\/i><\/em><\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019ve got a cat with complex dietary needs or you\u2019re frustrated by a lack of appropriate commercial options, you may be wondering if homemade cat food is a better bet. Making your own cat food from scratch sounds like a wonderful way to customize your cat\u2019s diet\u2014and show them a little extra love\u2014but it\u2019s not a decision to be taken lightly.<\/p>\n

It takes time and research (not to mention a significant financial investment) to create a complete and balanced diet<\/a> for your cat. Unless you\u2019re working closely with a veterinary nutritionist, the risks may outweigh any potential benefit.<\/p>\n

In this article, you\u2019ll learn how to choose a homemade cat food recipe and receive tips for achieving balanced nutrition. You\u2019ll also find five homemade cat food recipes to try yourself.<\/p>\n

How To Assess Homemade Cat Food Recipes<\/h2>\n

Before we dive into the details, we want to make one thing clear: homemade cat food isn\u2019t the right choice for every cat or cat parent. It\u2019s important to talk to your veterinarian before making the switch and keep them involved in the process to ensure your cat doesn\u2019t develop any nutritional deficiencies.<\/p>\n

Many of the homemade cat food recipes online miss the mark. They might be packed with species-appropriate animal protein but lack other essential nutrients. Or they may contain the right nutrients in the wrong balance.<\/p>\n

When researching homemade cat food recipes, keep an eye out for signs that the recipe might not be nutritionally balanced (or that it\u2019s otherwise inappropriate for your cat). Here are some examples:<\/p>\n

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  • The recipe wasn\u2019t developed by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist or an expert in veterinary nutrition.<\/li>\n
  • It doesn\u2019t mention nutrient values or appear to be formulated in accordance with AAFCO minimums.<\/li>\n
  • The recipe is overly simple\u2014if it doesn\u2019t include supplements, variety is key to meeting minimum nutrient requirements.<\/li>\n
  • It doesn\u2019t provide instructions for portioning the food according to your cat\u2019s needs or offer estimates on calorie content.<\/li>\n
  • The recipe notes specify that the food is intended for supplemental feeding only.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Unless you\u2019re a veterinary nutritionist yourself, we don\u2019t recommend creating homemade cat food without a recipe. Nutritional balance is extremely important, and it may be difficult to achieve the necessary amounts of trace nutrients unless you choose your ingredients intentionally. Read on to learn about a product that might make the task a little easier.<\/p>\n

    Why We Recommend Using a Premix Supplement<\/h2>\n
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    Kate Barrington \/ Cats.com<\/p><\/div>\n

    It\u2019s possible to replicate a wild feline diet using specific ratios of muscle meat, organs, and bone but it\u2019s tricky. Such diets usually require multiple animal sources for muscle meat and organs to prevent deficiencies or excesses of key nutrients.<\/p>\n

    For example, liver from duck and ruminants (like beef and lamb) are richer in vitamin A than from chicken and pork. Using only chicken and pork liver may not be ideal, however, because it doesn\u2019t contain enough copper.<\/p>\n

    To sidestep nutritional challenges, many cat parents add supplements to their homemade cat food.<\/p>\n

    We recommend homemade cat food premix supplements, also known as meal completers. They\u2019re formulated to fill in the nutritional gaps when mixed with fresh meat. But they\u2019re not perfect. You still have to do some research and consult your veterinarian to find the product that best suits your cat\u2019s needs and your homemade diet plan.<\/p>\n

    Here are some things to consider when shopping for a homemade diet premix:<\/p>\n

    Formulated by a Veterinary Nutritionist<\/h3>\n

    Licensed veterinarians are trained to diagnose and treat small animals but most veterinary programs have limited coverage for animal nutrition. A recipe developed by a veterinarian is a good start but one formulated by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist is better.<\/p>\n

    Provides Complete and Balanced Nutrition<\/h3>\n

    Read the fine print to determine whether the premix is formulated according to AAFCO or FEDIAF nutrient requirements. Some products are only intended for supplemental feeding and others require the addition of eggs, liver, or other ingredients to fill nutritional gaps.<\/p>\n

    Consider Specialized Formulas<\/h3>\n

    Some premix companies offer multiple formulas for cats in different life stages or with specific dietary requirements. For example, a recipe formulated for senior cats might have lower levels of phosphorus to support kidney health.<\/p>\n

    Consider the Type of Diet You\u2019re Feeding<\/h3>\n

    Many meal completers are intended to be mixed with ground or chopped meat. Such products may contain higher levels of calcium than premixes designed to be used with a mixture of ground meat and bone. Decide what kind of diet you want to feed and select a product formulated specifically for that diet.<\/p>\n

    5 Sample Recipes for Homemade Cat Food<\/h2>\n

    Below you\u2019ll find a small sample of homemade cat food recipes. The collection includes several recipes balanced through the use of a premix supplement and others through ingredient variety and the use of individual supplements. We purchased the ingredients for all five recipes then prepared and tested them ourselves.<\/p>\n

    Note: The following recipes have been gathered from online sources or, where applicable, taken from the manufacturer\u2019s instructions for the premix supplement being featured. Whether you use one of these recipes or another, we recommend working with a veterinary nutritionist to tailor it to your cat\u2019s specific needs. <\/em><\/p>\n

    1. Raw Ground Rabbit Recipe (using Alnutrin for Meat & Bone)<\/h2>\n\n \n