Homemade Pumpkin-Turmeric-Chicken-Blueberry Supplementary Cat and Dog Wet Food

In this post I’m excited to share the first of a bunch of recipes for supplementary food you can add to your cat’s (and dog’s) complete diet that not only pleases the palate of your beloved furry baby but also packs a punch of health benefits. This first recipe consists of a Pumpkin Turmeric Chicken Wet Food with Blueberries, a complementary meal that’s easy to make and perfect for boosting your pet’s nutrition.

Why Choose Homemade Wet Food?

Homemade cat and dog food can be an excellent way to ensure your furry friend is getting high-quality, natural ingredients without the additives and fillers often found in commercial pet foods.

Natural store-bought wet foods can be get quite expensive and if you look at the ingredients of most of them you’ll realize the recipes are not far from what you can whip up at home for a portion of the price. It may seem like a lot of work but it’s actually very easy and if you prepare a batch and freeze it in individual portions you’ll have enough for a few days and it’ll be almost as easy to serve as open up a can or pouch.

Making them yourself also allows you to control the ingredients and tailor meals and amounts to your cat’s specific dietary needs and sensitivities. Plus, many cats love the fresh taste of homemade recipes way better than the processed shelf-stable ones!

It’s important to know the difference between “complete” food and “supplementary” food. A “complete” recipe means a pet could only eat that long term and it would cover all their dietary needs, usually this is the case of most good-quality dry food recipes. A “supplementary” food is one that is to be given paired with a complete recipe regarding a pet’s overall diet, for example 2 feeds of the complete food and 1 feed of the supplementary. Most homecooked recipes will be supplementary food unless they are specifically formulated by a veterinarian nutritionist for a specific pet and their requierements.

And you might be thinking: why would I make homemade recipes instead of always feed store-bought food then? and here’s the tricky part, only some (very few) of the store-bought wet food products are complete recipes, most of them are actually supplementary as well and it’s quite tricky to see the difference in the labeling sometimes. Only recipes labled as “complete food”, “complete recipe” will actually be complete, and I know it sounds obvious but if you read all the labels of the shelf stable wet food cans and pouches you’ll realize that most of them will state “feast”, “meat in gravy”, “pieces in broth” or “pate”, even the most expensive, best quality ones. This doesn’t make them bad at all, it just means they are amazing as an addition to a complete diet but just not nutricionally balanced to be given as a sole diet long term which is especially important for older patients or cats with teeth issues that strictly eat wet food, make sure to get complete recipes as their diet base (that you can of course combine with supplementary recipes).

All of this is to say that home cooked well-thought recipes that include high quality ingredients like lean proteins, safe vegetables and even added superfoods are as good or even way better than most packaged wet foods on the market so don’t hesitate to try them and offer them to your furry baby as yet another way to put the effort and love to give them the best care!

Ingredients and their Benefits

1. Chicken:

• Lean Protein: Essential for muscle maintenance and overall health. Both chicken breast and thighs are fine, I recommend breasts for chubbier cats since the meat is more lean.
• Amino Acids: Cats require specific amino acids like taurine found in chicken.

2. Raw Pumpkin:

• Fiber: Aids in digestion and can help with both constipation and diarrhea.
• Vitamins A and C: Supports vision, immune function, and skin health.

3. Turmeric:

• Anti-inflammatory: Can help reduce inflammation and support joint health.
• Antioxidant Properties: Promotes overall health and may help prevent certain diseases.

4. Blueberries:

• Antioxidants: Help support the immune system and overall health.
• Vitamins and Fiber: Provide additional nutrients and aid in digestion.

Recipe: Pumpkin Turmeric Chicken Supplementary Wet Food with Blueberries

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts (about 2 large size breasts), cut into large pieces
• 1/2 cup of raw pumpkin, peeled and chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder
• 1/4 cup of fresh blueberries
• 1 cup of water

Once you have tested if your cats like it you can double it like I do since I also offer it to my dogs.

Instructions:

1. Cook the Chicken and Pumpkin:
   • In a medium-sized pot, bring water to a boil.
   • Add the chicken thighs and chunks of pumpkin to the pot.
   • Cook thoroughly until the chicken is tender and fully cooked, and the pumpkin is soft.
2. Combine Ingredients:
   • Right before removing the pot from the heat, add the turmeric and give it all a mix.
   • Remove the chicken and pumpkin mixture from the pot leaving some liquid it and let it cool. Save the extra broth.
   • Shred the cooled chicken into small, bite-sized pieces and do the same with the pumpkin.
3. Adjust Consistency:
   • Gradually add the saved chicken broth to the mixture until it reaches the desired consistency. Some cats prefer a more soupy texture, while others might like it thicker.
   • If your cats don’t like the chunky texture you can also blend it all in a blender.
4. Add Blueberries:
   • Gently fold in the fresh blueberries, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the mixture. I usually cut them in half to distribute them easily, they need to be mushed but I prefer doing it on the same serving dish when i’m offering it to the kitties. This allows me to remove them if any of the cats don’t like the blueberry flavour without ruining the whole meal for them.
5. Serve:
   • Serve the food in your cat’s bowl, ensuring it’s at room temperature. Make sure to add more broth if needed, with cats more water is always better.
   • Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Storing Guidelines

Refrigeration:

• Short-term Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. I usually keep what I’ll give them for next couple of days in a glass tupperware. Ensure the food is covered to prevent drying out and contamination.

Freezing:

• Portion Control: To make serving easier, freeze the mixture in small portions using an ice cube tray. This allows you to thaw only what you need for a single meal and to portion it for different cats. For example I do both pureed and chunky cubes and also some bigger ones for my dog.
• Freezing Process:
  1. Spoon the mixture into the compartments of an ice cube tray. If you can, get the ones with lids so you avoid any spills in the freezer.
  2. Place the tray in the freezer until the food is fully frozen.
  3. Once frozen, pop the food cubes out of the tray and transfer them to a freezer-safe, airtight container or zip-lock bag.
  4. Label the container or bag with the date to keep track of freshness.
• Shelf Life: Frozen portions can be stored for up to three months. For best results, thaw the cubes in the refrigerator overnight before serving. Do not refreeze thawed food.

Feeding Guidelines

Remember, this recipe is a supplementary meal and should not replace your cat’s regular balanced diet. It’s perfect as an occasional treat or as part of a rotational diet to provide variety and additional nutrients.

Make sure to always remove any left-overs from your pet’s plates to prevent bugs from getting to them or your cats eating it hours later when it may have gone bad at room temperature. Also always wash the plates after every meal to avoid biofil or bacteria growth.

Vet’s Tips

• Introduce Slowly: If your cat isn’t used to homemade food, introduce this recipe gradually to avoid digestive upset.
• Monitor Health: Always observe your cat’s reactions to introducing new foods, see what ingredients they like or dislike and check their stool and see if they vomit to keep track of what sits well on them. If you notice any adverse reactions, discontinue use and consult your vet.
• Balance is Key: Ensure your cat’s diet remains balanced with all necessary nutrients. Consider consulting with a vet or a pet nutritionist for personalized advice.

Making your own cat food can be a rewarding way to ensure your feline friend is getting nutritious and delicious meals while contributing to increasing their water intake which is a very important part of a cat’s daily routine. Here’s my post on How to increase your cat’s water intake with other tips on this matter:

How to Increase Your Cat’s Water Intake

This Pumpkin Turmeric Chicken recipe with Blueberries is simple to prepare and offers a range of health benefits. Give it a try and watch your kitty enjoy this tasty and wholesome treat!

For more vet-approved recipes and pet care tips, stay tuned to my blog. And as always tag me on instagram or leave me any comments if you try my recipes and tips!

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Note: Always consult with your veterinarian before making significant changes to your cat’s diet, especially if they have any pre-existing health conditions or dietary restrictions.