Kibbles and Casseroles

Cats are even more prone to tartar buildup and gingivitis than dogs are. Because kibble helps minimize the formation of plaque and tartar, it is an important part of a cat's diet.

Making homemade kibble is as simple as making treats for your cat. The basic dough recipe is similar; it's the extra ingredients you add that give each kibble a unique twist for example, apples go well with turkey or chicken.

Fish flakes and broccoli go well with fish. Adding fish flakes or 1 tablespoon of Thai fish sauce to a fish-based kibble will intensify the fish flavor.

The hardest part about making your own kibble is finding the time to let it dry out in the oven. letting it sit in an off oven overnight is best. this important step helps concentrate the kibble's flavor and makes it keep longer. If moisture gets to it, it can become moldy and soft. This is why I make small batches at a time.

Homemade kibble can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a week or in the freezer for up to 3 months. I seal 6 cups in a vacuum-sealed food storage bag and freeze it. when I need it, I take out a bag and store it in the refrigerator. the great thing about vacuum-sealed food storage systems is that you can reseal opened bags, removing air again, which keeps food fresher longer.

Casseroles are nice complements to kibbles. You can mix together a bit of each, just as you would mix commercial kibble and canned cat food. the recipes in this chapter use an assortment of protein sources, but for variety, or if your cat has allergies, you can substitute other proteins, such as fish, beef, chicken, turkey, or lamb.