Make simple baked cornmeal tuna cat treats at home with canned tuna and basic pantry staples. Practical steps and storage tips included.
Safety first: Start with a small portion beside your cat's usual food and confirm bigger diet changes with your veterinarian.
Foods to avoid
Do not use tuna packed in oil or flavored varieties that contain onion or garlic.
Ingredients
Instructions
Drain the tuna: Open the can and pour the tuna into a fine mesh strainer over the sink. Press gently with the back of a fork to remove as much liquid as possible so the dough does not turn sticky.
Mash the tuna: Place the drained tuna in the mixing bowl and break it up thoroughly with the fork until no large chunks remain.
Add dry and wet ingredients: Stir the cornmeal into the tuna, then crack in the egg and add the water. Mix with the fork until a soft, slightly crumbly dough forms that holds together when pressed.
Knead the dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly dusted surface and press it together with your hands for a minute until it feels cohesive and no longer falls apart.
Roll and cut: Roll the dough to about one quarter inch thick. Use a knife to cut into small rectangles or squares roughly one inch across.
Arrange on the sheet: Line the baking sheet with parchment paper and place the cut pieces in a single layer with a little space between them.
Bake and cool: Bake at 350 degrees until the edges feel firm and the tops look dry, about 20 minutes. Move the sheet to a rack and let the treats cool completely before offering any to your cat.
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Tips & serving
Offer one or two treats at a time as part of play or training. Major diet changes should be discussed with a veterinarian.
- Uses items already on the shelf so no extra shopping is needed
- Produces a batch that lasts several days in a sealed container
Storage
Substitutions
Use tuna packed in spring water instead of oil. Replace cornmeal with an equal amount of oat flour if preferred.
Cats recipe FAQ
Can Cornmeal Tuna Cat Treats replace my cat's regular diet?
Treat it as an occasional extra, not a meal plan. Offer one or two treats at a time as part of play or training. Major diet changes should be discussed with a veterinarian.
Can cats have tuna?
This recipe uses tuna in a small, cat-appropriate amount. Skip it if your cat has a known sensitivity, and read the foods-to-avoid note on this page before serving.
How do I store this treat?
Keep in an airtight container at room temperature up to five days. Freeze extras in a zip bag for up to two months and thaw a few at a time.
What's the safest way to try this with my cat?
Offer a small amount beside regular food, introduce one new recipe at a time, and watch appetite, stool, skin, and behavior for a day or two.
Sources