What Should Go on the Holiday Table? Christmas Recipes for Cats

If you'd like to surprise your furry friend with a homemade treat this year, any of the recipes below will surely delight them.

Christmas is a celebration of love and togetherness. While preparing delicious feasts, it’s natural to want to treat your pet to some tasty bites as well. Although there are some human foods that cats can safely eat, most holiday dishes are heavily seasoned – which isn’t recommended for pets – so it’s better not to share from your plate. Instead, use the recipes below to prepare special dishes for your cat, showing them how much they mean to you. These feline delicacies are quick and easy to make and don’t require advanced cooking skills.

Chicken liver pâté

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken livers
• 1 tablespoon cooked potato or sweet potato
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley

Preparation:

1. Boil the chicken livers in a small pot of water without adding any spices – remember, this is for your cat!
2. Mash the cooked potato into a puree using a fork, then mix it with the chicken livers until well combined. The liver doesn’t need to be completely smooth; cats will enjoy the larger chunks.
3. Stir in the olive oil and parsley.
4. Let the mixture cool completely before serving to avoid burning your pet.

Tuna and catnip biscuit

Ingredients:

• 125g canned tuna, drained (use tuna in water, not brine or oil)
• 125g whole grain oat flour
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon dried catnip
• small cookie cutter

Preparation:

1. Preheat your oven to 175°C (347°F) and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
2. Blend the tuna, oat flour, egg, and catnip in a food processor (or mash by hand) until it forms a dough-like consistency.
3. Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 0.5 cm thickness and cut into shapes using a cookie cutter.
4. Place the biscuits on the baking tray and bake for 10–12 minutes until golden brown and firm.
5. Allow the biscuits to cool completely before serving. Break into smaller pieces if they’re too large.

Turkey aspic

Ingredients:

• 150g turkey breast
• 1 carrot
• 1/2 packet of gelatin
• water
• optional: a few pieces of bacon (use sparingly due to its high fat content)

Preparation:

1. Peel and boil the carrot in a small amount of water.
2. Once the carrot softens, add the chopped turkey breast and cook until tender.
3. Let the cooked ingredients cool slightly, then dice the carrot and turkey into small pieces.
4. Return the diced carrot and turkey to the cooking liquid. Prepare the gelatin according to the packet instructions and add it to the mixture.
5. Pour the mixture into molds and refrigerate until set.
6. If your cat tends to eat quickly, serve in small, manageable portions.

While these recipes feature chicken, tuna, and turkey, you can adapt them to include other cat-safe proteins like beef or sardines. It’s important to note that these recipes, while safe and healthy for cats, are not a replacement for a balanced cat food diet. Serve them as a holiday treat, but resume regular cat food the next day. If your pet has any health or digestive issues, consult your veterinarian to ensure these recipes are suitable for their dietary needs.