Cats are obligate carnivores, so homemade cat food is mostly meat, a little organ meat and a supplement for taurine and other nutrients. This cooked chicken recipe follows that pattern.
Ask your vet or a veterinary nutritionist to check the recipe and supplement before you feed it every day. Without taurine, a homemade diet can cause heart and eye problems.
Why your cat will love this
- Real meat, mostly protein, like cats need
- Smooth pâté texture
- One batch is about a week for one cat
Ingredient notes
- Boneless chicken thighs with skin Safe
Dark meat has more taurine than breast.
Cooked, boneless dark meat has more taurine than breast.
- Chicken liver Caution
Keep liver to about 5 to 10% of the recipe.
Good source of vitamin A, but too much causes toxicity. Keep to about 5% of the recipe.
- Egg yolks Safe
Fully cooked only.
- Taurine supplement Safe
Use the dose your vet recommends.
Essential for cats. Homemade cat food must include a taurine source or supplement.
Homemade Cat Food Recipe (Chicken, Vet-Style)
Cooked chicken thigh, chicken liver, egg yolk and a taurine supplement, blended to a pâté.
- 4 of 6 ingredients safety-checked, 3 marked safe
- Wheat-free
- Grain-free
- Dairy-free
- Peanut-free
- Contains: Egg, Chicken
Ingredients
Makes 14 cups
- SafeCooked, boneless dark meat has more taurine than breast. Safe amount: Part of a balanced diet.
- CautionGood source of vitamin A, but too much causes toxicity. Keep to about 5% of the recipe. Safe amount: Small amounts.
- SafeFully cooked only. Safe amount: A teaspoon or two.
- SafeEssential for cats. Homemade cat food must include a taurine source or supplement. Safe amount: Per your vet or recipe.
Equipment
- Food processor
- Ice cube trays
Instructions
-
Simmer the chicken thighs in water until cooked through.
-
Add the liver for the last 5 minutes and cook until no pink remains.
-
Cool slightly, then pulse the meat, liver and egg yolks in a food processor until smooth.
-
Add cooking water a little at a time until it looks like canned pâté.
-
Stir in the taurine and supplement only after the food has cooled.
Tips for success
- Never add supplements to hot food; heat destroys some vitamins.
- Weigh the meat after trimming so the liver stays at the right ratio.
- Switch slowly, mixing a little into your cat's current food over 7 to 10 days.
Nutrition per 1/2 cup
- Calories
- 180 kcal
- Protein
- 22 g
- Fat
- 9.0 g
- Carbs
- 1.0 g
Storage
- Fridge 3 days
- Freezer 60 days
Freeze in ice cube trays; two cubes make about one meal.
How much to serve
An average 10 lb adult cat needs about 200 to 250 kcal a day, roughly 2/3 cup of this food. Split into 2 or 3 meals.
| Small cat (7 lb) | up to 1 1/2 cup a day |
|---|---|
| Average cat (10 lb) | up to 1.50 1/2 cups a day |
| Large cat (14 lb) | up to 1.75 1/2 cups a day |
Last updated September 10, 2026.
How to make Homemade Cat Food
Homemade Cat Food takes about 45 minutes from start to finish and makes 7 cups. It takes a little more time but no special skills. You will need a food processor and ice cube trays. Read through every step once before you start, and set out all the ingredients so nothing is missed.
Ingredients and why they are here
You need 6 ingredients. Each one is checked against the ingredient safety guide for cats.
- 2 lb boneless chicken thighs with skin: Dark meat has more taurine than breast. Cooked, boneless dark meat has more taurine than breast.
- 4 oz chicken liver: Keep liver to about 5 to 10% of the recipe. Good source of vitamin A, but too much causes toxicity. Keep to about 5% of the recipe.
- 2 large egg yolks: Fully cooked only.
- 1 cup water from cooking the chicken
- 2000 mg taurine supplement: Use the dose your vet recommends. Essential for cats. Homemade cat food must include a taurine source or supplement.
- 1 dose vet-recommended cat vitamin and mineral supplement
Step-by-step instructions
- Simmer the chicken thighs in water until cooked through. Allow about 20 minutes.
- Add the liver for the last 5 minutes and cook until no pink remains. Allow about 5 minutes.
- Cool slightly, then pulse the meat, liver and egg yolks in a food processor until smooth.
- Add cooking water a little at a time until it looks like canned pâté.
- Stir in the taurine and supplement only after the food has cooled.
Tips for success
- Never add supplements to hot food; heat destroys some vitamins.
- Weigh the meat after trimming so the liver stays at the right ratio.
- Switch slowly, mixing a little into your cat’s current food over 7 to 10 days.
How to store it
Let everything cool completely before you pack it away, since trapped steam causes sogginess and mold. Keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Freeze in ice cube trays; two cubes make about one meal. If anything smells off or shows mold, throw it out.
How much to serve
An average 10 lb adult cat needs about 200 to 250 kcal a day, roughly 2/3 cup of this food. Split into 2 or 3 meals. Each 1/2 cup has about 180 calories. Switch from your current food over 7 days, mixing in a little more of the new food each day, and weigh your cat every two weeks to adjust the amount.
Swaps and variations
No boneless chicken thighs with skin? Use turkey thighs. Change one ingredient at a time so you can tell how each swap affects the texture.
Safety notes
Homemade cat food must include taurine and a vet-approved vitamin and mineral supplement to be complete and balanced. Chicken Liver: Good source of vitamin A, but too much causes toxicity. Keep to about 5% of the recipe. Never add onion, garlic, chocolate, grapes, raisins, xylitol or salt, and check the safety guide before trying a new ingredient with your cat. This recipe is general information, not veterinary advice.
Frequently asked questions
Is homemade cat food healthy?
It can be, if it is complete and balanced. Most homemade recipes miss taurine or calcium without a supplement.
Can I make organic cat food with this recipe?
Yes. Use organic chicken and eggs; the method is the same.
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