High-Protein Shrimp & Chicken Homemade Cat Food
A nutrient-dense, grain-free meal your cat will love.
Key Info:
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Servings: 2-3 cat meals (approximately 200g total)
- Cost per Batch: $5-8
Nutritional Values (per 100g):
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: <1g
- Calories: 210
Difficulty Level: Easy
Dietary Tags: Grain-free, High-protein, No artificial preservatives
Equipment Needed:
- Medium saucepan
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Food processor or blender (stick blender works too)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Airtight storage containers
Ingredients:
- 100g boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced
- 50g raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 large egg yolk
- 50ml low-sodium chicken broth
- ¼ tsp powdered eggshell (for calcium)
- ⅛ tsp taurine supplement
Method:
- Dice chicken into small 1cm cubes.
- Chop shrimp into similar-sized pieces.
- Pour chicken broth into saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Add chicken pieces and cook until internal temperature reaches 165°F (about 8-10 minutes).
- Add shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes until pink and opaque.
- Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes.
- Transfer meat mixture to food processor.
- Add egg yolk, powdered eggshell, and taurine supplement.
- Blend until smooth, adding small amounts of cooking liquid if needed.
- Portion into serving-sized containers.
Crucial Tips:
- Never skip the taurine supplement – it’s essential for cat health.
- Ensure meat is fully cooked to prevent bacterial contamination.
- Don’t add salt or seasonings – cats don’t need them.
- Mix new food gradually with current food over 7-10 days.
Storage:
- Refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- Freeze individual portions for up to 1 month.
- Thaw overnight in refrigerator.
- Warm to room temperature before serving.
Scaling:
- Recipe doubles easily.
- Maintain supplement ratios precisely.
- Don’t make more than can be used within 1 month.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Adding unnecessary vegetables or grains.
- Skipping essential supplements.
- Using seasoned broths.
- Cooking at too high temperatures.
Variations:
- Replace shrimp with white fish for shellfish-sensitive cats.
- Add 1 tbsp cooked pumpkin for extra fiber.
- Use turkey instead of chicken.
- Add 1 tsp fish oil for omega-3 fatty acids.
