Healthy Shrimp & Spinach Cat Treats (Grain-Free, High-Protein)

/ Cats, Diet / By
"Golden-brown cat treats with shrimp and spinach cooling on a wire rack, with a rustic wooden counter in the background and a sprig of catnip in the foreground"

Healthy Shrimp & Spinach Cat Treats (Grain-Free, High-Protein)

Key Info:

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Servings: 20 small treats

Calories per treat: 12

Protein: 2g per treat

Difficulty: Easy

Dietary Tags: Grain-free, High-protein

Equipment Needed:
  • Food processor or blender
  • Mixing bowl
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper

Alternative tools:

  • Mini muffin tin instead of shaping by hand
  • Meat grinder instead of food processor

Raw shrimp, fresh spinach leaves, coconut flour and a farm fresh egg on a bright kitchen countertop with natural lighting

Ingredients:
  • 4 oz (115g) cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 cup (30g) fresh spinach leaves
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup (30g) coconut flour
  • 1 tbsp dried catnip (optional)
Method:
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
  2. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper
  3. Place shrimp and spinach in food processor, pulse until finely chopped but not pureed

    4. Professional steel food processor blending pink shrimp and emerald spinach leaves, with slight motion blur and shining stainless steel highlights

  4. Add egg and catnip, pulse 3-4 times to combine
  5. Transfer to mixing bowl, gradually stir in coconut flour until firm dough forms

    6. Artisan hands gently mixing green and pink dough in a ceramic bowl with coconut flour dusting on a wooden workspace, under warm ambient lighting

  6. Shape into 1-inch treats
  7. Arrange on baking sheet, leaving small gaps between each

    8. One-inch raw treats arranged in a geometric pattern on a parchment-lined baking sheet, with soft shadows highlighting their texture.

  8. Bake for 12-15 minutes until firm and slightly golden
Crucial Tips:
  • Don’t overprocess – texture should be minced, not paste-like
  • Treats should be cat-bite sized (about 1 inch)
  • Cool completely before serving
  • Watch for browning – treats should be just firm, not hard

Golden brown cat treats cooling on a wire rack, with steam rising and a slight sheen on the surface under professional food photography lighting

Storage & Handling:
  • Refrigerate in airtight container up to 5 days
  • Freeze up to 2 months
  • Thaw overnight in refrigerator
Common Mistakes:
  • Over-processing ingredients
  • Making treats too large
  • Overbaking
  • Not cooling completely before storage
Variations:
  • Substitute canned tuna for shrimp
  • Add 1 tbsp nutritional yeast for B-vitamins
  • Use salmon for extra omega-3s
  • Replace spinach with parsley (great for breath)

Remember: Always introduce new treats gradually and monitor your cat’s reaction. These treats should make up no more than 10% of your cat’s daily caloric intake.

Related Posts