Homemade cat food

Duck & Blueberry Antioxidant Bites

Lean duck breast baked with a scatter of mashed blueberries makes a rich, novel-protein treat with a little antioxidant boost. A good change of pace for cats bored of chicken and fish.

Difficulty
Easy
Time
25 min
Makes
12 treats

🧺 Ingredients

  • 150g skinless duck breast (all visible fat trimmed)
  • 4 blueberries (mashed)
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tbsp oat flour

👩‍🍳 Method

  1. Poach or steam the duck breast until fully cooked through, then let it cool.
  2. Mince or finely chop the cooked duck into a smooth, small crumb.
  3. Mash the blueberries and combine with the duck, egg and oat flour.
  4. Roll into small bite-sized balls and flatten slightly onto a lined tray.
  5. Bake at 180°C (350°F) for about 15 minutes until firm and cooked through.
  6. Cool completely before offering, and refrigerate any leftovers.
Nutrition: Duck is a flavourful novel protein that can suit cats sensitive to chicken, and the trace of blueberry adds a little vitamin C and antioxidant polyphenols.

📝 Notes

Blueberries are non-toxic to cats and safe in tiny amounts, but they are optional and only ever a garnish — cats are obligate carnivores and get no dietary requirement from fruit, so keep it to just a few. Introduce novel proteins like duck gradually. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days and keep treats under 10% of daily calories.

⚕️ Before you cook for your cat

  • Homemade food must be balanced. Cats need taurine, and deficiency causes heart and eye disease.
  • Treat recipes are supplements to a complete diet, not a replacement for it.
  • Check any new ingredient against the toxic-foods list, and ask your vet before switching diets.