Homemade cat food
Duck & Apple Sensitive Bites
A novel-protein duck bite with a hint of grated apple — gentle for cats prone to food sensitivities, with a touch of natural sweetness.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- 30 min
- Makes
- About 18 small bites
🧺 Ingredients
- 120 g duck mince or finely chopped cooked duck (no skin)
- 1 tablespoon peeled, finely grated apple (core and pips removed)
- 1 egg yolk, to bind
- 1 tablespoon rice flour
👩🍳 Method
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a tray with parchment.
- Peel and finely grate a little apple, discarding the core, pips and skin.
- Combine the duck, grated apple, egg yolk and rice flour into a soft mixture.
- Shape into small bites and arrange on the tray.
- Bake for 15–18 minutes until firm and fully cooked.
- Cool completely; offer one or two and refrigerate the rest for up to three days.
Nutrition: Duck is a flavourful novel protein often tolerated by cats with chicken sensitivities, while a small amount of peeled apple adds a little soluble fibre and antioxidants without overwhelming a carnivore's meal.
📝 Notes
Never include apple core or pips — the pips contain compounds that release cyanide and must always be removed. Duck is a useful novel protein for cats who react to chicken, but introduce any new food slowly and stop if you notice any digestive upset.
⚕️ Before you cook for your cat
- Homemade food must be balanced. Cats need taurine, and deficiency causes heart and eye disease.
- Treat recipes are supplements to a complete diet, not a replacement for it.
- Check any new ingredient against the toxic-foods list, and ask your vet before switching diets.