3 Homemade Cat Gravy Recipes: Vet Approved Healthy Options

Cats are obligate carnivores, so they need nutrients only found in animal products for a complete diet—including animal protein and fat. Cats are also notoriously picky, so reliable kibble may not be enough to entice their appetite sometimes.

While it’s difficult to feed cats a homemade diet and achieve the perfect balance of protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals, you can give your cat some gravy topping on occasion to encourage them to eat their healthy kibble.

Read on to learn how to make gravy for cats with these three vet-approved cat gravy recipes you can prepare at home.

Top 3 Homemade Cat Gravy Recipes

1. Catster Recipe: Easy Homemade Cat Gravy

Catster Recipe: Easy Homemade Cat Gravy

This easy cat gravy recipe can be made with any kind of meat and provides great nutrition and hydration for your cat.

Print recipe

Prep time

5 min

Cook time

2 hr

Total time

2 hr 5 min

Equipment

• Stock pot with lid or slow cooker
• Strainer
• Storage container

Ingredients

• Plain meat (chicken, duck, pork, beef, lamb, turkey)

Instructions

1. 1Throw whole carcass or animal parts into the stock pot or slow cooker. You can include the skin, fat, and bones, which make a rich gravy. The meat or carcass you use should not be seasoned and should be safe for human consumption once cooked.
2. 2Fill the pot with water to cover the meat you have in the pot.
3. 3Bring to a boil, then turn down to a medium or soft boil. Place the lid of the pot on and let simmer for 2–3 hours, stirring occasionally.
4. 4Let cool. Strain so there’s nothing left but the liquid. Portion out the gravy and freeze for a great yet simple topper for your cat’s food.

Notes

Image Credit: Pixel Shot, Shutterstock

Notes: An additional optional ingredient for this recipe is a low-sodium chicken broth at a ratio of 1:4 with water (for example, only add 1 part broth for every 4 parts of water in your pot). It must be garlic and onion free, however.

If this gravy is frozen, it can last for up to 2 months. However, once you thaw it to serve, you shouldn’t re-freeze it. If you opt to refrigerate it rather than freeze it, it will only last for a week at most.

It’s best to freeze several batches to ensure you don’t thaw too much at once. The night before you want to add the gravy, take one portion out and leave it in the fridge. You can bring the gravy to room temperature on the stove or microwave (make sure it’s not too hot!), then add it to your cat’s meals.

Making changes to your cat’s diet can be difficult with so much information to go through. It is therfore advisable to talk to a veterinary nutritionist. You can do that today from the comfort of your home and get the answers and advice you need. At PangoVet, they make it easy.

2. Chicken Gravy for Cats

Notes: You can make this quick gravy with chicken meat, and you can do the same with whole chicken parts like thighs or wings. Just be sure to strain all the meat, bones, skin, and fat out of the gravy before serving.

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3. Easy Chicken Carrot Gravy for Cats

Is It Safe to Give Gravy as a Cat Food Topper?

Yes, as long as the gravy doesn’t contain toxic ingredients, it’s generally safe to give your cat gravy as a topper. However, cats may have individual preferences and tolerances for different ingredients, so start slowly to see how your cat tolerates new foods.

Avoid overfeeding gravy or any other supplements. These foods are not nutritionally complete and adding them to your cat’s diet can upset their balance of nutrients. The general rule is not to exceed 10% of your cat’s daily caloric intake with supplements or treats.

• Recommended read: Best Wet Cat Foods – Reviews & Top Picks

Conclusion

If you have a picky eater, these cat food gravy recipes should entice your cat to eat their kibble or wet food. Be sure not to overfeed the gravy, as it can disrupt the balance of nutrients in your cat’s diet. These gravies should be frozen and reserved as occasional treats for your cat to add some taste and variety, not as a complete meal. See also:

• Homemade Tuna Cat Treats You Can Make Today: Our Vet’s Recipes

• Cat-Themed Cocktail Recipes For Feline-Loving Party Guests

Featured Image Credit: Elizabett, Shutterstock