Homemade Cats treats with peanut butter are worth it. Why do we say that? Well, just like humans tend to get bored with the repetition of the same ingredient, substance or food taste, cats also get irritated with the same taste of the food you serve them after buying it from the supermarket.
Even if you are offering homemade cat treats but the food item is the same every day, it will annoy them. Hence, It’s important to consider mixing up recipes from time to time. In this article, we will explore some homemade cat treats peanut butter recipes you can use for your cat.
But, before we move forward let’s clear the air around the discussion- Can you give peanut butter to cats or not?
Can Cats Eat Peanut Butter?
Yes, cats can eat peanut butter but there are certain restrictions. You have to ensure that you don’t feed them commercial packs of peanut butter. They contain ingredients such as Xylitol which can cause issues for the cats.
In addition, the thick and sticky form of peanut butter always puts cats at risk of choking. The best course of action is to serve homemade cat treats peanut butter.
Homemade Cat Treats Peanut Butter Recipes
Serving Peanut butter as a Homemade Cat Treat is the best course of action for avoiding any exposure to toxic ingredients. Here are some of the Homemade Cat Treats Peanut Butter Recipes you can consider:
1. Peanut Butter and Fish Cat Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Measuring cup
- 1 Mixing Bowl
- 1 Spoon
- 1 Knife
- 1 Rolling Pin
- 1 Spatula
- 1 Cooling Rack or Refrigerator
Ingredients
- ¼ cup Peanut Butter
- ¼ cup Canned Fish (Tuna or Salmon)
- ¼ bowl Flour
Instructions
- Frist you need to preheat the oven to 350 degree Farhenheit.
- Next using the mixing bowl combine the flour, canned fish and peanut butter.
- Mix the dough until it gets a soft texture.
- Now roll out the dough on lightly floured surface to a thickness of 1/4 inch.
- Cut the dough into small pieces, and place them on a baking sheet.
- Bake until the treats get golden brown on the outside.
- Let the treat cool down. Once it does it is ready for serving.
- Store the remaining treats in your freezer or fridge.
Notes
2. Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Cat Treat
Pumpkin is considered healthy for cats. So, a mix of peanut butter and pumpkin will provide a decent treat for your cat.
Instructions:
1. Take 1/4 cup of peanut butter, and 1/4 cup of canned pumpkin puree and mix them with rolled oats in a bowl.
2. If you wish to make a firm dough then add some water. Knead the dough and roll it out to 1/4 inch thickness.
3. Cut down the dough into small pieces and then bake them at 350 Fahrenheit.
3. Peanut Butter and Banana Cat Treat
Banana is a fruitful treat for your cat as it carries nutritious benefits. Mixing a banana will help you maintain the nutritious balance in the recipe.
Instructions:
1. Squash a banana and mix it with 1/4 cup of peanut butter and 1 egg in a bowl.
2. Add 1 cup of whole wheat flour to the mix and knead the dough till it’s firm. Roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thickness.
3. Now you can cut the dough and bake the pieces for about 20 minutes.
4. Peanut Butter and Oat Cat Treat
In comparison with other cereals, Oats are quite safe and are also used in commercial food packs. Combining them with peanut butter will help you serve a safe cat treat.
Instructions:
1. Take a bowl and mix together 1/2 cup of peanut butter, 1/2 cup of rolled oats, and 1 egg.
2. Knead the dough and roll it out to 1/4 inch thickness.
3. Cut into small shapes and bake on a baking sheet at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for roughly 15-20 minutes.
5. Peanut Butter and Chicken Cat Treat
The peanut butter and chicken combination treat will give a change of taste. If necessary you can also slip in some medication that your cat needs.
Instructions:
1. Use 1/4 cup of peanut butter, 1/4 cup of cooked and shredded chicken, and 1/2 cup of whole wheat flour and mix it in a bowl.
2. Knead the dough and roll it out to 1/4 inch thickness.
3. Cut into small shapes and bake on a baking sheet at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes
Why is Peanut Butter Bad for Cats?
Peanut Butter doesn’t offer any nutritional value. Dr Sarah J. Wooten, DVM, Sheep Draw Veterinary Hospital in Greeley, Colorado reveals that Peanut Butter contains lots of empty calories.
Further, Dr Wooten emphasizes that cats are obligate carnivores and peanut butter is just not part of their natural diet. Dr Wooten also reveals that she just doesn’t like it for fat cats or for those who are sick in any way. It can just add to their problems.
According to Dr Wooten, cats with any health issues should avoid peanut butter, and also those with diabetes, kidney problems, or any kind of chronic gastrointestinal trouble, such as inflammatory bowel disease, need to stay far, far away. These fur babies can get diarrhoea, upset stomach or gas, she states.
Peanut Butter Ingredients to Avoid While Feeding Cats
If you are going to serve homemade cat treats with peanut butter then you must see that the following ingredients are not present:
Xylitol
Compared to dogs, cats don’t face the severe toxic effects of Xylitol. While dogs face issues such as hypoglycemia or liver failure there is no conclusive study to verify that the same happens for cats. But, it’s better not to gamble with your cats’ health and avoid Peanut Butter containing Xylitol.
Sugar and Salt
Peanut Butter retains a high proportion of Sugar and Salt. Both ingredients can cause serious issues for your cats.
Sugar can cause problems such as heart attack, obesity, and diabetes. Salt if excessive can lead to gastric issues, vomiting, diarrhoea, and at times abdominal pain.
Oils and Fats
You will find a high amount of traces of Fats & Oils in Peanut Butter. Consumption of such peanut butter can trouble cats with stomach aches, nutritional deficiencies, vomiting, obesity and so on.
Safety Tips To Consider While Feeding Peanut Butter To Your Cats
We saw different homemade cat treats peanut butter recipes, why peanut butter is bad for cats and ingredients to avoid while using it for feeding. So, to make sure you feed your cat healthy homemade peanut butter treats you can follow these safety tips:
Gauge the Calorie Intake
Peanut butter has lots of calories. Consuming large quantities of peanut butter will damage cats’ health and so, you’ll have to put in some effort and gauge the calorie intake of your cat.
Check the nutrition label (Ingredients)
If you are using a commercial pack of peanut butter ensure that it contains proper ingredients. Also, see that a toxic substance like Xylitol is not present.
Continuous Monitoring of Cats’ Health
Once you feed your cat any recipe with a mix of peanut butter keep an eye on your cat. Observe the behaviour of the cat and look for any signs of uneasiness, allergic symptoms, or vomiting. This will help you spot the source of the problem and address it accordingly.
Vet Consultation
Before you serve any food whether it’s a homemade cat treat or commercial food, consult with the Vet. You can get insights on how you can feed them any food without risking your cats’ health. A vet will also guide you on how you can use homemade cat treats peanut butter to give medicines to your cat.
FAQs
Can you give cats peanut butter?
Cats and Peanut Butter, the relationship is not so friendly. Cats may like the taste of peanut butter but it’s not recommended as a daily treat. However, with proper consultation from the vet, and following safety tips, you can feed cats peanut butter.
What flour can I use for cat treats?
You can use white or whole wheat flour in treats for cats. For making your cats’ treat more nutritious you can use a mixture of rolled oats, wheat germ, and cooked rice.
What are the healthiest treats for a cat?
Here are some of the healthy treats for your cat:
- Kibble
- Small pieces of lean meat
- Wet Cat Food
- Dried Liver
- Commercial food treats etc…
What are the different types of cat treats?
The common types of cat treats are Freeze Dried, Dried Kibble, Puree and Moist.
Freeze Dried: this treat takes out the moisture but leaves the nutrients unaffected.
Dry Kibble: is considered the oldest of the cat treats. However, the cooking process can remove or alter the nutrients, but cats who favour dry food or crunchy treats like them.
Puree: the lickable cat treats come in squeeze pouches. Cats who require supplementary calories or hydration, or need to be nurtured to eat, respond well to this type of treat
Moist: young kittens with small teeth, cats with dental conditions, or old cats may prefer the softer texture of moist, chewy treats.
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Conclusion
Offering homemade cat treats peanut butter to your cats can be tricky. You have to consider various aspects such as nutrition value, calorie quantity, and health perspective. But, these homemade cat treats peanut butter recipes will help you manage these aspects and keep your cat healthy.