Have you ever found yourself discarding chicken or turkey bones after a hearty meal? It’s a common practice, but now you can make the most of the entire animal and minimize waste with this simple and enjoyable chicken stock recipe for cats. Your feline friends will be delighted, and even if you’re not a culinary expert, you can also explore the wide range of cat soups available from various pet companies in recent years.
Ingredients:
- Bones from chicken or turkey
- Carrot
- 1 stalk of celery
- Water
- Soup pot with a lid
- Mesh strainer
Directions:
Making homemade chicken or turkey stock that’s healthy for your cats couldn’t be easier. Here’s what you need to do:
- Place the chicken or turkey bones in the pot. If there’s some meat left on them, that’s perfectly fine. Add the carrot and celery to the pot without the need to chop them up.
- Fill the pot with water, preferably filtered. Use just enough water to cover the bones, as getting the right consistency is essential.
- Cover the pot and simmer the chicken or turkey stock slowly for about 6 hours over low heat.
- Once you’ve finished cooking these simple ingredients, use a mesh strainer to pour the stock into a bowl. Do not skip this step, as it helps remove any bone shards, ensuring your cat’s safety. The resulting liquid in the bowl will be a clear, golden chicken stock.
Many recipes recommend cooling this soup quickly for optimal results, resulting in a rich and silky consistency. I prefer freezing the chicken stock in silicone molds to create convenient chicken stock ice cubes. After freezing, they become a quick, healthy, and easy treat for your cat.
Place the silicone molds on a baking sheet and pour the warm stock into them. After a few hours in the freezer, they are ready to be removed. Store them in a ziplock freezer bag in your freezer.
I usually take out one or two cubes every day and let them melt in a dish. My cat, Romeo, who has kidney disease, enjoys drinking up the chicken soup. The best part is that it’s a nutritious treat that helps keep him hydrated!
Why shouldn’t I just buy store-bought human-grade chicken stock?
Avoid feeding your cat chicken stock meant for humans in cartons, cans, or boxes, as most of these store-bought varieties contain ingredients like onions, garlic, and other spices that can be harmful and even toxic to your cat. The above recipe is so straightforward that there’s really no reason not to make your own. If you prefer not to make it yourself, there are numerous cat-friendly options available at your local pet store. Scroll down for some ideas below.
Not much of a cook? No problem. Purchase cat-safe broth!
If cooking isn’t your forte, don’t fret. Pet companies have recognized that cats adore gravy and broth. For those of us with senior cats dealing with kidney disease, finding ways to keep them hydrated beyond water (and subcutaneous fluids) is essential. Broths are an excellent way to supplement your cat’s diet with a hydrating treat. Here are a few options you should consider trying out:
