Homemade cat food

Lamb & Courgette Mince

A novel protein recipe — ideal for cats with suspected chicken or fish allergies. Lamb is rarely found in commercial cat food, making it an excellent allergen-elimination option.

Difficulty
Medium
Time
20 min
Makes
2 days

🧺 Ingredients

  • 120g minced lamb
  • 50g courgette (finely grated)
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp water or plain lamb stock

👩‍🍳 Method

  1. Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat.
  2. Add minced lamb and cook, breaking up constantly, until browned throughout.
  3. Drain excess fat by tilting the pan and spooning it off — lamb can be quite fatty.
  4. Add grated courgette and water/stock to the pan.
  5. Simmer on low for 4–5 minutes, stirring, until courgette is soft.
  6. Add olive oil, stir, and remove from heat.
  7. Cool fully before serving.
Nutrition: Lamb is a complete protein source and one of the best sources of haem iron and zinc. As a novel protein, it's the gold standard for cats on elimination diets for suspected food allergies. Courgette is 95% water, contributing to hydration.

📝 Notes

Drain fat well — excess dietary fat can trigger pancreatitis in sensitive cats. Courgette (zucchini) is one of the safest vegetables for cats — low calorie, high water content, mild flavour. Lamb stock must be homemade and unsalted. Refrigerate for up to 2 days.

⚕️ 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.