8 Cheap Homemade Cat Food Ideas You Need to Try

Many cat owners look for ways to feed their pets well without high costs. Homemade cat food can help. It uses simple items from your kitchen or store. This guide shares eight easy recipes. Each one focuses on what cats need most. Always check with a vet first. They can confirm if it fits your cat’s health.

Why Make Cat Food at Home

Homemade meals let you pick fresh parts. Cats get real meat and few fillers. This can lead to better coats and more play. It often costs less than store brands. One batch might last days. You control what goes in. No hidden extras.

But balance matters. Cats must have enough protein and taurine. Lack of these causes health problems. Use these recipes as starts. Add vitamins if needed.

Check pet food safety checker to test ideas.

Key Tips for Safe Homemade Cat Food

Start slow. Mix new food with old over a week. Watch for upset stomachs.

Pick safe meats. Cook them fully to kill germs. Raw can carry risks.

Add taurine. Cats need it for hearts and eyes. Find it in powder form.

Use small carbs. Rice or oats in tiny amounts help bind.

Portion right. Feed two meals a day. About 3-4 ounces per meal for most cats.

Store well. Keep in fridge up to three days. Freeze extras.

Check for allergies. Some cats react to fish or eggs.

Read our post on can cats eat chicken for more.

Recipe 1: Basic Chicken Mix

This uses cheap chicken thighs. It gives protein and fat.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound chicken thighs, boneless
• 1/4 cup cooked rice
• 1 egg, hard-boiled
• 1/2 teaspoon taurine powder

Steps:

1. Boil chicken until done.
2. Chop chicken small.
3. Mash egg and mix in.
4. Add rice and taurine.
5. Cool before serve.

Makes four servings. Cost about $2 total.

See if your cat likes rice in can cats eat rice.

Recipe 2: Tuna and Egg Bowl

Tuna from cans works here. Eggs add binding.

Ingredients:

• 1 can tuna in water, drained
• 2 eggs, scrambled
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon taurine

Steps:

1. Cook eggs soft.
2. Mix tuna with eggs.
3. Stir in oil and taurine.
4. Serve at room temp.

Three servings. Under $1.50.

Check can cats eat tuna wait, for cats, but link to similar can cats eat shrimp for fish tips.

Recipe 3: Beef Liver Treat

Liver brings iron. Use ground beef for ease.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 pound ground beef
• 2 ounces chicken liver
• 1/4 cup pureed carrots
• 1/2 teaspoon taurine

Steps:

1. Brown beef and liver.
2. Blend carrots smooth.
3. Combine all.
4. Add taurine last.

Four servings. Around $2.

For veggies, read can cats eat carrots similar.

Recipe 4: Sardine Special

Sardines have omega fats. Cheap in cans.

Ingredients:

• 1 can sardines in water
• 1/4 cup oats, cooked
• 1 egg yolk
• 1/4 teaspoon taurine

Steps:

1. Mash sardines.
2. Mix in oats and yolk.
3. Stir taurine in.
4. Portion out.

Three servings. About $1.

Check can cats eat watermelon for other treats.

Recipe 5: Turkey Ground Blend

Turkey mince saves money. Add pumpkin for gut.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 2 tablespoons canned pumpkin
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 teaspoon taurine

Steps:

1. Cook turkey brown.
2. Mix in pumpkin and egg.
3. Add taurine.
4. Let cool.

Five servings. $2.50 or less.

See why is my cat drooling if new foods cause issues.

Recipe 6: Salmon Simple

Use canned salmon. Bones add calcium.

Ingredients:

• 1 can salmon, with bones
• 1/4 cup peas, mashed
• 1 teaspoon fish oil
• 1/4 teaspoon taurine

Steps:

1. Drain salmon slight.
2. Mash with peas.
3. Add oil and taurine.
4. Mix well.

Three servings. Under $2.

For peas, check can cats eat broccoli.

Recipe 7: Mixed Meat Patty

Combine leftovers. Chicken and beef.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 pound chicken
• 1/2 pound beef
• 1/4 cup barley, cooked
• 1/2 teaspoon taurine

Steps:

1. Cook meats together.
2. Chop fine.
3. Add barley and taurine.
4. Form patties.

Four servings. About $3.

Use our pet symptom checker for any reactions.

Recipe 8: Egg and Fish Mash

Eggs as base. Add cheap fish.

Ingredients:

• 3 eggs, hard-boiled
• 1/2 can mackerel
• 1 tablespoon yogurt, plain
• 1/4 teaspoon taurine

Steps:

1. Mash eggs.
2. Mix in mackerel.
3. Stir yogurt and taurine.
4. Serve fresh.

Two servings. $1.20.

For dairy, see can cats eat cheese.

Common Questions on Homemade Cat Food

Is it cheaper? Yes, often half the price of cans.

Better than store? Can be, with right balance.

Risks of raw? Germs, so cook most times.

How to add nutrients? Use taurine and vitamins.

For kittens? Double portions, more fat.

What if picky? Start small mixes.

Try our pet breed finder quiz for diet fits.

This list gives real ways to feed well on low budget. Your cat may thank you with purrs. Talk to vet always.