Homemade Tuna Cat Treats (3 Ingredients)

These are the treats most cats go wild for: crunchy little bites that smell strongly of tuna. Three ingredients, one bowl.

Use tuna in water, and keep these as a treat, not a meal.

Why your cat will love this

• Strong tuna smell cats love
• Makes about 100 tiny treats
• Crunchy and shelf-stable for a week

Ingredient notes

• Tuna in water (5 oz), drained Caution

  Packed in water, occasionally only.

• Egg Safe

  Fully cooked only.

• Oat flour Caution

  Fine as a binder in treats. Cats need very little carbohydrate.

See every ingredient in the safety guide

How to make Homemade Tuna Cat Treats

Homemade Tuna Cat Treats takes about 30 minutes from start to finish and makes 100 treats. It is an easy recipe. You will need a pizza cutter and blender. 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 3 ingredients. Each one is checked against the ingredient safety guide for cats.

• 1 can tuna in water (5 oz), drained: Packed in water, occasionally only.
• 1 large egg: Fully cooked only.
• 1 cup oat flour: Fine as a binder in treats. Cats need very little carbohydrate.

Step-by-step instructions

1. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet.
2. Blend the tuna and egg until smooth, then mix in the flour to make a dough.
3. Roll into a thin sheet and cut into 1/4-inch squares, or roll pea-size balls.
4. Bake until dry and lightly browned. Allow about 20 minutes.
5. Cool completely before storing.

Tips for success

• Make the treats tiny; cats prefer small pieces and portions stay low.
• A pizza cutter makes quick work of cutting little squares.
• For extra crunch, turn the oven off and leave them inside for 30 minutes.

How to store it

Let everything cool completely before you pack it away, since trapped steam causes sogginess and mold. Keep it at room temperature for up to 7 days, in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. If anything smells off or shows mold, throw it out.

How much to serve

Up to 8 to 10 treats a day for an average cat. Each treat has about 2 calories. Treats and toppers should stay under 10 percent of your cat’s daily calories, so cut back their regular food a little on days you serve extra.

Swaps and variations

No tuna in water? Use canned salmon. No oat flour? Use coconut flour, use half. Change one ingredient at a time so you can tell how each swap affects the texture.

Why cats love it

Strong tuna smell cats love. Makes about 100 tiny treats. Crunchy and shelf-stable for a week.

Feeding tips for cats

Cats can be cautious with new foods. Offer a tiny amount next to something familiar, and be patient if your cat sniffs and walks away the first time. Warm refrigerated food to room temperature, since cats prefer food near body temperature. Cats with kidney, thyroid or urinary conditions may need a special diet, so ask your vet before adding new foods.

Make it ahead

To save time, measure and prep the ingredients the day before and keep them covered in the fridge. Label containers with the recipe name and date so you always know what to use first. Most of the work in this recipe is hands-off, so it fits easily around a busy week.

Safety notes

Tuna: Packed in water, occasionally only. Oat Flour: Fine as a binder in treats. Cats need very little carbohydrate. 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

How many treats can a cat have?

Treats should be no more than 10% of daily calories, which is about 8 to 10 of these.

Can I use tuna in oil?

Use tuna in water to keep fat low.

More egg recipes

See all

Dogs

Easy 4-Ingredient Pumpkin Dog Biscuits

1 hr 45 min

Dogs

Homemade Pumpkin Applesauce Dog Treats

37 min

Dogs

3-Ingredient Sweet Potato Dog Cookies

45 min

Dogs

Large Batch Homemade Dog Food (28 Cups)

1 hr 15 min