Homemade cat food
Salmon Skin Jerky Twists
Turn the salmon skin most people throw away into a crunchy, omega-rich jerky twist — a zero-waste treat that cats adore for its intense fishy aroma.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- 2 hr (mostly hands-off)
- Makes
- About 10 twists
🧺 Ingredients
- Skin from 2 fresh salmon fillets, scales removed
- No salt, oil or seasoning of any kind
👩🍳 Method
- Scrape any scales from the skin, rinse, and pat completely dry — the drier the skin, the crisper the result.
- Trim off any remaining grey fatty flesh and cut the skin into strips about 2 cm wide.
- Twist each strip loosely and lay them on a wire rack over a baking tray so air can circulate underneath.
- Dry in the oven at 90°C (200°F) for about 1.5–2 hours until firm, dry and crisp all the way through.
- Cool completely, then break into cat-sized pieces before offering one as a treat.
Nutrition: Salmon skin is one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), which support a glossy coat, healthy skin and reduced inflammation in the joints. Drying it concentrates the flavour without adding anything artificial.
📝 Notes
Only ever use plain, unseasoned skin — smoked or salted salmon is not safe for cats. Store in an airtight container for up to a week or freeze. Offer sparingly, as salmon skin is naturally rich; a small piece goes a long way.
⚕️ 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.