3 Homemade Cat Gravy Recipes: Vet Approved Healthy Options
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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 a gravy or broth 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 broth and 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.
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
Instructions
- Throw 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.
- Fill the pot with water to cover the meat you have in the pot.
- Bring 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.
- Let 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
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 3 to 4 days 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.
2. Chicken Gravy for Cats
Chicken Gravy for Cats
Prep time
5 min
Cook time
1 hr 30 min
Total time
1 hr 35 min
Equipment
- Stockpot with lid or slow cooker
- strainer
- storage container
Ingredients
- 1 cup chicken meat
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (no onion or garlic)
- 2 cups water
Instructions
- Chop chicken into small pieces.
- Boil chicken in a pot with 2 cups of water.
- Add 2 cups of low-sodium chicken broth.
- Stir the gravy for about one hour.
- Cool the gravy.
- Strain or include the chicken in the gravy.
- Divide gravy into two portions.
- Add ½ of one portion to your cat’s food.
- Freeze or refrigerate the second portion. Gravy will only keep in the fridge for a few days.
Notes
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 bones, skin, and fat out of the gravy before serving.
Recipe credit: Cats Purfection
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3. Easy Chicken Carrot Gravy for Cats
Easy Chicken Carrot Gravy for Cats
Prep time
10 min
Cook time
30 min
Total time
40 min
Equipment
- Pot
- blender
- storage container
Ingredients
- 5-6 oz chicken breast
- 1 medium carrot
Instructions
- Chop and boil chicken breast for 20 to 30 minutes. Allow to cool once fully cooked.
- Chop and boil the carrot for 5 minutes. Allow to cool.
- Combine the carrot with chicken.
- Separate broth.
- Combine chicken breast and carrots into a blender.
- Blend into a fine paste.
- Gradually add broth while blending until you reach the desired consistency.
- Store excess gravy in portions and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze.
Notes
Image Credit by: LightField Studios, Shutterstock
Recipe credit: Purrfect n' Awesome
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:
Featured Image Credit: Elizabett, Shutterstock
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Christian started writing for a local newspaper as a teenager, and he's been involved in the publishing industry for most of his adult life. Combining his love of writing with a passion for animals, he is currently the Director of Editorial at Pangolia and the Editor-in-Chief at Catster.
Christian lives in the Philippines with his wife, son, and four rescue cats: Trixie, Chloe, Sparky, and Chopper.
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