In this articleImportant ConsiderationsCat Food RecipesIf youre worried about what goes into your cats food, theres one way to know for sure, and thats by making your own at home. This might sound like a straightforward solution, but getting the right balance of nutrients for your cat is not as easy as you might think, so its important to make sure youre using the right ingredients in the right proportions (which is why most pet owners tend to stick with store bought!).Important Homemade Cat Food ConsiderationsIf you are committed to the idea of homemade cat food, there are some important things to keep in mind: Cats are obligate carnivores they need to eat meat, and a lot of it. The majority of a cats diet should consist of animal protein in various forms. In the wild, cats will consume the meat, cartilage, eggs, feathers, skin, organs, and marrow from their prey, and just feeding them muscle meat will lead to nutrient imbalances and deficiencies. Cats need taurine this amino acid is essential to feline health and function, and they cannot generate it themselves. They obtain this enzyme from eating meat, organs, and entrails. They need to consume 250 to 500 mg of taurine per day. Cats need fat cats need to consume foods containing around 5-15% fat, depending on their lifestyle and activity level. Cats need little or no carbs in the wild, cats dont really consume carbohydrates, but our pets will often benefit from some fiber in their diet to help promote healthy bowel function and prevent constipation. Cats need calcium to mimic the calcium sources they would encounter in the wild, bone meal or crushed eggshells can be added to the food.Different cats will need different ingredients, depending on their age, breed, lifestyle, and health. If you are thinking of starting your cat on a homemade diet, its best to talk to a vet first to make sure you have everything covered.If you need to speak with a vet but can't get to one, head over to PangoVet. It's an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the advice you need for your pet all at an affordable price! The 5 Homemade Cat Food RecipesPreparing cat food with the ingredients you find in your kitchen is a simple way to ensure your cat receives a healthy and delicious diet. This homemade food for cats includes various types of meat, veggies, grains, and supplements to keep your cat nourished and satisfied! We will not be including any raw food recipes due to the risk of pathogen contamination from uncooked meat, but we do recommend gently cooking ingredients to retain nutrients.These recipes have been approved by a veterinarian because they include only cat-friendly ingredients, however, some of these recipes are not complete and balanced diets to feed your cat on a daily basis. These recipes are a great add-on to your cats diet. They are only meant to be fed on occasion and not as a regular staple diet. Please consult your veterinarian to help you decide what is the best diet for your cat.1. Our Favorite Easy Salmon Cat Food PrintSalmon Cat Food RecipeThis recipe is sure to be an excellent choice for most cat owners as it is free of gluten, dairy, sugar, nuts, and soy and is freezable. Plus, it's easy to double (or triple) to make enough to keep in your freezer!Prep Time 5 minutes minutesCook Time 5 minutes minutesTotal Time 10 minutes minutesServings 6 cupsEquipmentBlender or food processorStorage containerIngredients2 cups cooked salmon boneless2 tbsp steamed broccoli2 tbsp fish oil2 boiled eggsInstructionsCombine all of the ingredients in a bowl or food processor.Blend until the mixture is even.Divide your homemade cat food into individual portions.Store leftovers in the refrigerator or freezer.NotesImage Credit: CA Creative, Unsplash2. Tuna Ball Cat Food RecipeImage Credit: LightField Studios, Shutterstock Check the RecipeIngredients 1 Small can of oil packed tuna fish 2 tbsp bread crumbs 1 egg, well beaten 1 tbsp of grated cheeseInstructions Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mash all ingredients together until a paste-like mixture forms. Shape into balls and place on greased baking tray. Bake for 20 minutes. Check frequently. When they are golden brown and firm, they are ready. Cool before serving.There is a name for cats who cannot get enough tunaTunaholics! This homemade cooked cat food recipe is one to keep on hand as your cat is sure to hang around the kitchen and meow at your feet to request more. These ingredients are likely ones you always keep in your pantry, which makes this a simple and easy go-to recipe.If your cat is on the heavier side of ideal, we recommend replacing the breadcrumbs with ground flaxseed and using tuna in spring water, not oil. Remember that this particular recipe is not a complete or balanced diet, so it is only meant to be served occasionally.3. Chicken & Vegetables Cat Food RecipeImage Credit: Catster.com Check the RecipeIngredients 1 cup broiled or baked chicken 1/4 cup mashed steamed broccoli 1/4 cup mashed steamed carrots Chicken broth, separatedInstructions Place ingredients in food processor with tablespoons of the chicken broth. Puree or crumble the ingredients until it resembles pate cat food. Gradually add broth until mixture is smooth but not soupy. Serve at room temperature.The cat food recipe includes the classic combination of chicken and vegetables that even your cat will enjoy. You can use an adorable baking mold or ice cube tray to portion and freeze any excess pate!4. Beef & Cottage Cheese Cat Food RecipeImage Credit: Catster.com Check the RecipeIngredients 2 cups cooked ground beef 1 cup cooked brown rice 14 cup alfalfa sprout, chopped fine 14 cup chopped carrot, cooked and mashed 12 cup cottage cheeseInstructions In a large skilled crumble ground beef. Cook over medium heat just until cooked through but not browned. Remove from heat. Drain and rinse under hot water to remove excess fat. Cool completely. Return to pan. Add the cooked brown rice, chopped alfalfa sprouts, carrots and cottage cheese. Package into individual meals. This recipe should remain good for three days in the refrigerator. Freeze any portions that wont be used before then.Finding a recipe as inclusive as this might be difficult. The main ingredient is beef, but its rounded out with rice, carrot, alfalfa, and cottage cheese! Weve halved the ingredient amounts used in the original recipe as it made quite a large quantity.5. Turkey & Rice Cat Food RecipeImage Credit: Alexander Prokopenko, Shutterstock Check the RecipeIngredients 1 1/2 cups water 2 teaspoons corn oil 1/2 cup brown rice, uncooked 1/2 pound raw turkey giblets, chopped into kitty-bite-size pieces 1/4 cup carrot, chopped fine 1/2 cup chopped spinachInstructions Combine oil, and water and bring to a boil. Pour rice in boiling water, lower heat, cover and cook for 10 minutes. Stir in turkey giblets, carrot, and spinach. Cover and cook on low heat for another 10 or 15 minutes.You can make the most of your turkey dinner using the giblets as a fancy feast base for your cats meal. These nutrient-rich organs are an excellent choice for your felines diet. Your cat will be happy to see the turkey giblets in their dish at dinner time! Hepper NomNom - Spill Proof Elevated Cat Bowl NO MESS - The 360 tray on this cat food and water bowl set has a raised design to catch and...WHISKER FRIENDLY - Shallow and wide metal containers with flat bottoms ensure your kitty can enjoy...CHEW-SAFE MATERIALS - Kittens and cats love chewing on silicone and soft rubber - but it's a choking... Check Price on Amazon Feeding your cat a high-quality diet is important for keeping them healthy and happy. But it goes beyond the food you choose; the dishes they use also matter. The Hepper NomNom Cat Bowl is our favorite for its unique, five-star design that protects from whisker fatigue and promotes good posture which also aids in better digestion. As an added bonus, its beautifully crafted and offers a modern take on the traditional cat bowl that fits seamlessly with all home stylings. Learn more about the NomNom by clicking here.At Catster, weve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!ConclusionTesting our homemade cat food recipes and finding what works with your pet might be a process when preparing your own cat food, but we hope you see how simple it can be with these great recipes for homemade cat food.Getting the right balance of nutrients can be tricky, and you should always speak to a vet before heading down the road of homemade cat food. However, these recipes can also be used as part of your cats regular diet, combined with a commercially prepared food that provides everything your cat needs to stay healthy and happy.If youre looking for all the benefits of freshly prepared meals without having to worry about whether or not youve got everything right, there are now lots of companies producing fresh-frozen meals for cats. They use human-grade ingredients, gently cooked and then frozen to be delivered to your door. All the benefits of homemade, without the guesswork.Related Reads:Cat Cake Recipes: 5 Vet-Approved Homemade TreatsHomemade Ice Cream Recipes (Vet-Approved)