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6 Homemade Cat Gravy Recipes: Vet Approved Healthy Options

Written by: Christian Adams

Last Updated on March 12, 2024 by Catster Editorial Team

cat gravy

6 Homemade Cat Gravy Recipes: Vet Approved Healthy Options

VET APPROVED

Dr. Luqman Javed Photo

REVIEWED & FACT-CHECKED BY

Dr. Luqman Javed

DVM (Veterinarian)

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

Learn more »

Cats are carnivores, and daily servings of the same old kibble may not exactly motivate your feline’s appetite and, in some cases, do not provide appropriate nutrition to your cat. Enriching their food with cat gravy can be the difference in encouraging your cat to maintain interest in their otherwise bland food and adding moisture to your cat’s diet.

In addition, homemade gravy toppers can add to the protein content in your cat’s food, making it a better option for a little carnivore. As you can see, toppers can be beneficial, and these cat gravy recipes will have your cat meowing for more.

To start, here is a simple and healthy broth recipe that any feline would enjoy:

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gravy in a bowl

Easy Homemade Cat Gravy

Avatar photoChristian Adams
Cat gravy is easy to make and incredibly affordable. Throw your meat leftovers into a pot with water for a nutritious and delicious gravy your cat will love. Here's our favorite simple cat gravy recipe!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 5 minutes

Equipment

  • Large pot with lid or a slow cooker
  • Strainer
  • Storage container

Ingredients
  

  • Plain meat or carcass example: chicken, duck, pork, beef, lamb, turkey

Instructions
 

  • Throw all excess portions of chicken, pork, beef etc. into a large pot - it is safe to incorporate the skin, fat, and bones of the cuts you’re using. The meat or carcass you use for this purpose should not be seasoned, and should be human-grade (in other words, it should be safe for human consumption once cooked).
  • Fill the pot with enough water to cover all the meat you have placed in the pot.
  • Bring to a boil and turn down to medium or a soft boil. Place the lid of the pot on and let simmer for 2–3 hours, stirring occasionally.
  • Let cool. Strain so there is nothing left but the liquid. Portion out and freeze for a great yet simple gravy to place on top of your dry cat food.

Notes

An additional optional ingredient for this recipe is a low-sodium chicken broth, added in a ratio of 1:4 with water (for example, only add 1 part broth for every 4 parts of water in your pot).
If this gravy is frozen, it can last for up to 2 months. However, once you thaw this gravy to serve, you shouldn’t re-freeze it. If you opt to refrigerate it rather than freeze it, it only lasts for a week at most.
The best way to offer your cat this gravy is to freeze several batches. The night before you wish your pet the gravy, take one packet and leave it in the fridge. The next day, gently bring the gravy to room temperature prior to adding it to your cat’s meals. It’s also acceptable to re-heat the gravy, however, you shouldn’t offer your pet hot gravy.

Image Credit: victoria., Unsplash
Keyword cat gravy, cats, homemade cat recipes
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Once you’ve mastered our base recipe, you can start experimenting! If you want something more delectable for your sweet kitty, learn how to make cat gravy with these 6 nutritional recipes!

Once you have prepared the base recipe, please resist the temptation of giving the cat any bones. Please never give your cat a cooked bone!

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The 6 Homemade Cat Gravy Recipes

Please Note

Cats may have food intolerances and allergies to specific ingredients. If your cat is allergic to a specific protein (such as fish), then they shouldn’t be offered gravy made from the protein. It’s always best to consult your veterinarian if you aren’t sure about your cat’s nutritional needs, especially if they have a diagnosed medical condition.

The images of these gravies are for illustrative purposes only and not an actual representation of the end product you may notice.

1. Pork Rib Gravy

can cats eat pork
Image Credit: WiP-Studio, Shutterstock

Start this cat gravy with a simple stock, as we noted above, and gradually transform it into an irresistible sauce that will have your cat purring!


2. Chicken Liver, Gizzard & Heart Gravy

rraw chicken liver
Image Credit: Andrey Starostin, Shutterstock

Some of the most nutritious aspects of animal meat come from the organs! Create a simple yet healthy gravy with hearts, gizzards, and chicken livers! For recipes involving organ meat (particularly liver), please be careful about portions—liver is exceptionally high in Vitamin A!

This recipe shouldn’t be offered on a daily basis but is a fantastic way to add flair to your cat’s diet.


3. Cat Jelly

Now, this one may not be gravy, so to speak, but it does have the same effect when it comes to adding a bit of a punch to your cat’s meal. Leave it as it is and top it with dry food, or chop it up and mix it with the kibble, and voila! However, always ensure the jelly isn’t frozen!

In this instance, you would take the jelly from the refrigerator (as described above) and not bring it to room temperature.

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4. Chicken Broth Gravy

Homemade gravy in a sauce dish with turkey for
Image Credit: Elena Veselova, Shutterstock

What came first—the chicken or the egg? Well, in this recipe, you get the best of both worlds. An irresistible gravy that combines hearty chicken pieces with hard-boiled or poached eggs!


5. Mackerel Gravy

Can Cats Eat Raw Fish
Image Credit: DearPhoto1990, Pixabay

This gravy is solely based on a fish stock (see what we did there!). As mackerel is the fundamental ingredient, your cat will naturally crave this at each meal!


6. Chicken & Fish Gravy

bowl of fish soup isolated on white background
Image Credit: Eduard Zhukov, Shutterstock

Surf and turf is definitely something you can offer your cat as well. For this gravy recipe, you can mix and match seafood (such as the aforementioned mackerel) with something like chicken. This may take some practice and understanding of your cat’s palate and preferences, but is definitely worth a try!

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Wrapping Up

As you might have noticed, each recipe yields much more than one cat should have in a single serving. Thankfully each is freezer-friendly, so remember to portion them appropriately before freezing. This trick will be a game-changer when you want to surprise your cat with a saucy treat!

We hope you enjoyed these quick instructions on how to make cat gravy—so much so that you’ll share them with your fellow cat enthusiasts!

Looking for more great recipes for your feline? Check these out!


Feature Image Credit: Elizabett, Shutterstock

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