Homemade cat food can feel intimidating. Will it take too much time? Will it be too expensive? Will I get it wrong or even hurt my cat? We’ve put together this vet-approved practical guide to answer those questions and allay your fears about homemade cat food.
With the expert advice of Dr. Dody from our veterinary team, we’ll walk you through all the basics to get you started feeding homemade cat food safely and simple ways to make fresh feeding manageable long term.
Why more pet parents are choosing homemade cat food
Most commercial cat foods are heavily processed. While not ideal, it is a food safety necessity for this type of food. Commercial cat food needs to remain shelf stable for about 12-18 months, so additives and high-heat processing are needed to make it safe.
In today’s busy world, the convenience of commercial foods can be appealing. However, you can make your cat a less-processed, whole-food cat diet in about 15 minutes (that’s less time than it takes most people to go to the store!).
And that’s not to mention the health benefits homemade cat food can bring.
Dr. Dody said, “When you switch to a homemade cat food diet from commercial, you may notice health improvements in your cat. This includes things like a shinier coat, more energy, and fewer digestive issues.
“Homemade meals are also great for cats with food sensitivities, since they give you total control over the ingredients. Picky eaters can benefit as well, since you can also adjust the texture and protein source of the food to suit their taste.”
The biggest misconceptions about homemade cat food
With all the information available to us online, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. It’s also easy to find misinformation. Here are some of the biggest misconceptions we’ve seen about homemade cat food.
1. “Feeding plain meat is enough” - FALSE
Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they need to get the majority of their calories and nutrients from animal sources.
Notice we didn’t say “meat.” That’s because plain meat alone is not nutritionally complete for cats.
“Cats need additional nutrients that, in the wild, would come from other parts of their prey - like calcium from bones,” Dr. Dody said. “In a homemade cat food diet, recipes must be balanced and supplemented with a vitamin premix to avoid nutritional imbalances that can lead to serious health issues.”
Speaking of balanced recipes…
2. “You can use any recipe you want” - FALSE
The internet is full of homemade cat food recipes, but many are not enough to meet your cat’s nutritional needs. Using only veterinarian-developed or -approved recipes avoids this problem.
“Don’t take chances with your cat’s health,” Dr. Dody said. “Finding a vet-approved and balanced recipe may take a little more time, but your cat will thank you for it.”
3. “Homemade diets don’t need supplements” - FALSE
Even high-quality fresh ingredients alone usually do not provide all the nutrients cats need.
Dr. Dody said, “Supplements and premixes are vital because they bridge those nutritional gaps and make homemade feeding safer and more balanced. Many homemade diets also benefit from supplementation with fish oil to ensure your cat gets all the beneficial Omega-3s they need for a healthy immune and nervous system.
“One additional thing I’d like to note is to make sure your fish oil is fresh and stored properly. Old, expired fish oil or oil that’s not stored in a cool, dry place will oxidize and become rancid.”
If you want to learn more about nutritional support for fresh feeding, check out our blog post on the Best Cat Supplements for Homemade Cat Food.
4. “Homemade means raw” - FALSE
Many people immediately associate homemade cat food with raw feeding, but it is not necessary for a healthy homemade cat food diet.
“Gentle cooking is safe and does not damage or destroy the nutrients in your cat’s food like high-heat industrial cooking can,” Dr. Dody said. “In fact, gently cooked meals are often one of the easiest ways for beginners to start feeding fresh food safely and confidently.”
Let’s look at this topic a little deeper.
Gently cooked vs. raw homemade cat food
There are passionate opinions on both sides of the raw versus cooked debate, but for many pet parents, gently cooked meals offer a practical middle ground.
Why gently cooked meals are often easier for beginners
Gently cooked homemade cat food provides fresh, minimally processed nutrition while reducing some of the food safety concerns associated with raw meat.
Cooking can also improve digestibility of the food.
Gently cooked meals are often easier to portion, freeze, thaw, and serve, making them easier to prepare and use as part of a long-term feeding routine.
Raw feeding considerations
Some pet parents prefer raw diets, and many cats do well on properly balanced raw meals. However, raw feeding also requires careful sourcing, storage, sanitation, and handling practices.
Households with young children, elderly family members, or immunocompromised individuals may need to be especially cautious with raw feeding.
Dr. Dody said, “Ultimately, the ‘best’ option depends on your cat, your comfort level, and what you can realistically maintain consistently. With homemade diets, consistency is key to seeing results. For many beginners, this means starting with gently cooked homemade meals.”
How to start feeding homemade cat food
1. Start slowly
Switching foods too quickly can upset your cat’s stomach and create unnecessary stress. Start by mixing a small amount of homemade food into your cat’s current meals and gradually increase the percentage over 7-10 days.
Dr. Dody added, “I would like to add that it may not be feasible for all pet parents to go 100% homemade. That’s okay, as this isn’t all-or-nothing. Even if you can’t fully change over to homemade cat food, supplementing or topping commercial foods with minimally-processed fresh homemade food can still bring health benefits to your cat.”
2. Use a balanced vet-approved recipe with premix
As we mentioned above, starting with an expert-created and balanced recipe is key.
Using recipes made with the approval of a veterinarian or veterinary nutritionist and completed with a cat-specific vitamin premix gives you confidence that you’re feeding your cat a balanced diet that will support and enhance their overall health.
3. Batch prep makes homemade feeding easier
One of the easiest ways to stay consistent with homemade feeding is batch cooking. Preparing several days’ or even weeks’ worth of meals at once can save time - and money! Making larger batches at one time means you can take advantage of sales or bulk buys and stock up for extra cost savings.
Dr. Dody said, “Freezing homemade pet food is perfectly safe. Many pet parents portion individual meals into small containers or freezer-safe bags so the food is ready to thaw and serve whenever they need it.
“Batch cooking and freezing makes homemade feeding more cost-effective and convenient. Which in turn makes it easier to be consistent. I keep mentioning consistency because it’s true - consistent small steps have a much greater impact than inconsistent big ones.”
A simple homemade cat food recipe for beginners
Here’s an easy recipe to get you started on your homemade cat food journey. It uses just a few whole food ingredients and can be made in less than 15 minutes!
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of 85% lean ground beef
- 2 Tbsp of coconut oil
- 1 cup of water or cat-safe bone broth*
- 2 ounces of spinach
- 1 egg
- ½ tsp Holistic Vet Blend Icelandic Omega-3 Fish Oil
- 2 Tbsp/15 grams Holistic Vet Blend Feline Premix or Senior Feline Premix
* Bone broths made for humans may contain ingredients that are dangerous for pets. Many pet supply stores sell bone broth labeled as safe for pets. You also can make cat-safe bone broth at home with leftover turkey bones and a slow cooker. You can find our full guide to making bone broth for your pets here.
Directions:
- Melt the coconut oil in a large pan or skillet over medium-low to medium heat.
- Add the beef and cook until no pink remains (about 6-8 minutes).
- Add the spinach and egg.
- Cook for a few more minutes until the spinach wilts and the egg solidifies.
- Take the pan off the heat.
- Add a cup of water or cat-safe bone broth to cool the mixture.
- Mix in 2 tablespoons of Holistic Vet Blend Feline Blend or Senior Feline Blend and 1/2 teaspoon of fish oil.
- Blend well (I recommend an immersion or stick blender) and you're done!
Feeding Guide:
weight in pounds = cups to feed*
2-4 lbs = ¼ - ½
4-6 lbs = ½ - ¾
6-10 lbs = ¾
10-15 lbs = ¾ - 1
over 15 lbs = Consult Vet
*Remember that most cats are pretty sedentary, so the above amounts can be more than they need per day. Monitor their weight and adjust accordingly.
Watch this recipe being made here:
Conclusion
Homemade cat food does not have to be overwhelming or all-consuming. The goal is not perfection but creating a routine that is balanced, manageable, and sustainable for both you and your cat. Taking even small steps toward fresher meals can bring your cat benefits now and for years to come, supporting them through a happier, healthier life.
FAQ
Is homemade cat food healthier than commercial cat food?
Homemade cat food provides fresher, less-processed nutrition than commercial cat food and allows pet parents to control ingredients and protein sources. However, many online homemade cat food recipes are nutritionally incomplete. Use veterinarian-approved recipes and a feline vitamin premix to ensure homemade meals are nutritionally complete.
Can I feed my cat homemade food every day?
Yes, cats can eat homemade food daily as long as the diet is properly balanced and formulated to meet feline nutritional needs. Many pet parents feed homemade meals full time, while others use fresh food as a topper or supplement alongside commercial food.
Do homemade cat food diets need supplements?
Yes. Homemade cat food recipes typically require supplements or premixes because fresh ingredients alone usually do not provide all the nutrients cats need. Nutrients like calcium, taurine, and Omega-3 fatty acids are especially important in homemade diets.
Is raw or cooked homemade cat food better?
Both raw and gently cooked homemade cat food can work when properly balanced. Gently cooked meals are often easier for beginning cat food chefs because they reduce food safety concerns while still providing minimally processed nutrition.
How do I transition my cat to homemade cat food?
Start slowly by mixing a small amount of homemade cat food into your cat’s current food and gradually increasing the amount over 7–10 days. Slow transitions help reduce digestive upset and allow picky cats time to adjust to new textures and flavors.
Can homemade cat food help picky eaters?
Homemade cat food may help picky eaters because you can customize the texture, moisture level, and protein source to suit your cat’s preferences. Slightly warming homemade meals may also make them more appealing.
Is homemade cat food expensive?
Homemade cat food can fit a variety of budgets. Batch cooking, freezing meals, and buying ingredients in bulk can help reduce costs. Some pet parents also choose partial homemade feeding alongside commercial cat food to make fresh feeding more affordable and manageable.
What meat is best for homemade cat food?
Common protein choices for homemade cat food include turkey, chicken, beef, and rabbit. The best option depends on your cat’s preferences, sensitivities, and nutritional needs. Recipes should always be balanced appropriately regardless of protein source.
