Catnip Cat Treats Recipe - Mess for Less (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Vicky · This post contains affiliate links.

37K Shares

Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

This Catnip Cat Treats Recipe takes just 30 minutes to make! Feel good about what you feed your cat with these yummy treats which can made with items you already have at home.

Catnip Cat Treats Recipe - Mess for Less (1)
Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • How to make this recipe for cat treats
  • 📖 Recipe
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Love cats? You need these cat bookmarks!

If you have a cat then you know how much you can come to love them and how you want to do things that make them happy. One of the things that makes my cat happy is eating her cat food. She also loves these Homemade Cat Treats that I make her, but to add some variety, I created a different cat treat recipe that contains catnip. If there anything my cat can't get enough of, it's catnip!

Ingredients

They treats contain flour (like most store bought treats) which our vet has said is fine for our cat. Consult with your vet before giving your pet homemade treats.

Most of the ingredients that you will need to make these treats are things you probably already have at home. Most cat owners already have catnip and this recipe uses just ½ tablespoon. A little goes a long way! Tuna, flour, wheat flour, wheat germ, and an egg complete the recipe.

How to make this recipe for cat treats

The cat treats take just minutes to make. Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl.

Catnip Cat Treats Recipe - Mess for Less (2)

After mixing the ingredients, you will have a sticky dough. Turn it on a floured surface and break off small pieces and roll them into balls.

Catnip Cat Treats Recipe - Mess for Less (3)

Push the ball down with your finger to flatten it a bit. The goal is to have a treat the size of a nickel when flattened. Bake on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Be sure to let them cool completely before serving them to your pet.

Catnip Cat Treats Recipe - Mess for Less (4)

Of course, my cat was hanging around the kitchen most of time I was creating these catnip treats. She can smell catnip and tuna from a mile away. When the treats had cooled off, she gave them the sniff test.

Catnip Cat Treats Recipe - Mess for Less (5)

They passed! Next, it was time for a taste test. If you think these homemade cat treats are too big for your cat, you can easily break them up. My cat loved these treats for cats! Unfortunately for her, she only gets a couple each day. Though tasty, they are still treats and we use them to reward her when she goes in her litter box.

Catnip Cat Treats Recipe - Mess for Less (6)
Catnip Cat Treats Recipe - Mess for Less (7)

📖 Recipe

Catnip Cat Treats Recipe - Mess for Less (8)

Catnip Cat Treats Recipe

Does your cat love treats? Never buy store bought treats again with this Catnip Cat Treats Recipe.

4.79 from 14 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 24

Author: Vicky

Ingredients

  • 5 oz tuna in oil drained
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup flour
  • ¼ cup wheat germ
  • ½ cup cornmeal
  • ¼ cup wheat flour
  • ¼ cup water
  • ½ tablespoon dried catnip

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

  • Mix all ingredients in a large bowl until combined.

  • Form into a dough. Dough will be sticky.

  • Place dough onto a floured surface.

  • Pull off small pieces of dough and roll into small balls.

  • Push the dough down so the treat is the size of a nickel and place on parchment paper.

  • Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.

  • Serve after cooled completely.

Video

Notes

They treats contain flour (like most store bought treats) which our vet has said is fine for our cat. Consult with your vet before giving your pet homemade treats.

Try this Recipe! Pin it for Later.Mention @vickycat or tag #messforless!

Frequently asked questions

Can cats eat flour?

Always check with your vet before feeding your cat any homemade cat treat. These do contain flour, which is safe for cats to eat. Since cats are carnivores, I would limit the treats and flour consumption. Moderation in all things!

What else can I use besides tuna?

You can use an equal amount of canned salmon in this recipe.

How do I store these cat treats?

You can keep them in an airtight container for up to a week.

Love cats? You need these cat bookmarks!

Printable bookmarks to help you keep your place in books you are reading. You'll love the cute kitties! These cat bookmarks make great gifts for any cat lover. You get 6 animal bookmarks with cats. Once you purchase, you can print as many bookmarks as you wish. These can be printed on cardstock and laminated for durability. Each bookmark measures 6” x 2”.

Catnip Cat Treats Recipe - Mess for Less (9)
Catnip Cat Treats Recipe - Mess for Less (10)

Related articles

How to Keep Your Older Cat Active

DIY Cat Toys

Catnip Cat Treats Recipe - Mess for Less (11)

37K Shares

More Pets

  • How to Keep Your Older Cat Active
  • DIY Cat Toys
  • Homemade Cat Treats Recipe

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Roberto

    Catnip Cat Treats Recipe - Mess for Less (15)
    I constantly emailed this website post page to all my friends, for the reason that if like to read it after that my links will too.

  2. Shoshana

    Catnip Cat Treats Recipe - Mess for Less (16)
    At this moment I am ready to do my breakfast,
    afterward having my breakfast coming again to read additional news.

  3. Cassandra

    Old cat!

  4. Raven

    Any chance you might have a grain free way to make this? My cat has very sensitive digestion. whenever grain gets into her diet she violently throws up. Thank you!

  5. Bonita Prickett

    Catnip Cat Treats Recipe - Mess for Less (17)
    I should have read the comments before asking earlier about storage. My apologies. I did make these treats and they had just come out of the oven. I had read on another recipe to use a coke bottle lid to make the treats so instead of rolling them and flattening them I just roll the dough out and cut little treats out with the bottle cap. Saved a lot of time and and a lot of mess. My cats are circling me right now because they smell the treats and as soon as they cool, they will be getting to try them. Thank you for the recipe. I'm sure they will be a hit!

  6. Bonita Prickett

    How do we store these treats and hoe long are they good for?

  7. Julie

    Okay I'm gonna have to make these. Especially since your advertising my baby girl clone. Adorable that's my girls name, looks just like her!

  8. Scottie

    My cat is allergic to corn. What can I substitute for cornmeal?

« Older Comments

Leave a Reply

Catnip Cat Treats Recipe - Mess for Less (2024)

FAQs

What does too much catnip do to a cat? ›

Some cats will have a euphoric/happy reaction to catnip whereas others will have the opposite reaction, becoming aggressive or aloof after ingestion. "They can develop 'the zoomies,' which can put them at risk for injury at home, and rarely, they can also develop vomiting and/or diarrhea if they ingest too much."

How many Temptations catnip treats should I give my cat? ›

A: Our treats are about 2 calories each, and we recommend feeding up to 15 treats per 10 pounds of your cat's body weight. Like anything else, it's all about portion control and using your best judgment.

What does catnip actually do to cats? ›

Researchers suspect that the herb targets feline "happy" receptors in the brain. When eaten, however, it tends to have the opposite effect and your cat mellows out. Most cats react to catnip by rolling, flipping, rubbing, and eventually zoning out. They may meow or growl at the same time.

How to make catnip edibles for cats? ›

In a food processor, process the oats finely until they resembles a flour-like consistency. Add the pureed meat , egg, catnip, and olive oil, and process until well combined. Transfer the mixture to a ziplock bag, and pipe small mounds onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Sprinkle with a bit more catnip if you like.

Is it bad for a cat to give catnip Everyday? ›

While catnip is non-addictive, its effect can dull due to overexposure. So, while the occasional catnip “high” might be fun, it's best to avoid a daily catnip routine with your cat. The effects also start to decline as your cat ages. You won't see the overly exaggerated response you're used to with older cats.

What are the side effects of catnip for cats? ›

Even so, it's best to know how to use catnip safely, because if they do manage to overdose on catnip, they could experience vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness or trouble walking. To avoid this, make sure you only ever let them have a small amount in one go.

What happens if cats eat too many Temptations? ›

Too many treats will interfere with your cat's appetite for her regular food. This can contribute to a nutritional imbalance in the long term, and can turn her into a 'fussy eater,' making it particularly challenging to use special diets should the need arise later in life to manage a disease nutritionally.

Do catnip treats make cats sleepy? ›

Sniffing catnip has more of a stimulant effect, whereas eating it is more likely to make a cat all sorts of relaxed and sleepy. Some cats can react to catnip with mild aggression, such as low growling or swatting.

What happens if cats eat too many treats? ›

Too many cat treats can lead to obesity in cats, due to the high calorie content, and digestive problems such as vomiting or diarrhoea. Filling up on too many treats also means your cat is not getting the required nutrients, vitamins and minerals from their nutritionally balanced cat food.

What is the human equivalent of catnip? ›

A human analog that causes similar effects [as catnip on cats], as in a comparable high, would be LSD or marijuana. But without the length of time or possible nasty side effects. [Ainslie: So maybe my brother and the police officer were on to something!] Gus gnawing on his catnip-infused mouse.

Can cats become addicted to catnip? ›

Your cat cannot become addicted to catnip and will not experience an opioid withdrawal no matter how much catnip your pet is exposed to. Frequent exposure to catnip, however, can cause your cat to develop a tolerance to the plant, according to PetMD.

What do cats feel when high on catnip? ›

Nepetalactone triggers a sense of euphoria in the brain of the susceptible cat, which produces the “high” that is sometimes described as similar to either marijuana or LSD in humans. The response to catnip typically lasts for about 10 minutes before wearing off.

Is catnip an upper or downer for cats? ›

It contains a chemical called nepetalactone in its leaves and stems that can impact your cat's behavior. When cats are exposed to nepetalactone by smell, it acts as a stimulant, causing some cats to have an uptick in activity. When ingested, nepetalactone has a sedative effect.

How do you give a cat catnip without making a mess? ›

It can be sprinkled around your cat's play area or put inside a toy for them to mess around with. If you buy loose catnip, be sure to store it in a sealed container and place it somewhere your cat can't get their paws on it. The temptation will be there!

Can cats eat catnip straight from the plant? ›

And it's perfectly safe - there's nothing in it that can harm your cat. If by some chance your cat was to eat a large amount of catnip, it could cause a mild tummy upset, but that's not likely to happen. What is Catnip? Catnip is a perennial herb of the mint family.

How much catnip will make a cat sick? ›

Cats can't technically 'overdose' on the smell of catnip, however, they shouldn't eat too much of it in one go, as they may experience some mild gastrointestinal distress, such as vomiting or diarrhea. If this occurs, remove the catnip from your cat's environment.

What do cats do when high on catnip? ›

Others believe it has relaxing effects on them. Cats that like catnip tend to roll, touch, and eat it. Catnip also changes the position of their ears and sometimes causes them to meow constantly. Cats exposed to catnip are usually less shy, and dogs exposed to it may become aggressive.

Can cats react badly to catnip? ›

For the most part, it's a fairly harmless indulgence. However, if your kitty eats a lot of it, it can make him sick, so if you see vomiting, then you'll want to relocate the catnip to a spot that's out of reach; then contact us for an appointment.

Does catnip make cats sleepy or hyper? ›

Nepetalactone is an interesting substance that affects about 50% of cats. When sniffed, it acts as a stimulant, often causing cats to become very playful, rolling over on the ground and generally being hyperactive. But when eaten, catnip acts as a sedative, sometimes causing cats to drool, purr, or fall asleep.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Lakeisha Bayer VM

Last Updated:

Views: 5573

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (69 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Lakeisha Bayer VM

Birthday: 1997-10-17

Address: Suite 835 34136 Adrian Mountains, Floydton, UT 81036

Phone: +3571527672278

Job: Manufacturing Agent

Hobby: Skimboarding, Photography, Roller skating, Knife making, Paintball, Embroidery, Gunsmithing

Introduction: My name is Lakeisha Bayer VM, I am a brainy, kind, enchanting, healthy, lovely, clean, witty person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.