3 homemade natural snacks for your cat

Treat your cat to natural nutrition by staying away from the pet store and turning to your very own kitchen – for easy-to-make snacks kitty will love!

Cats will go bonkers for these catnip crackers, so save them for rainy-day treats and special occasions. You can pay a lot more for commercial cat treats, but they won't measure up to these fresh, homemade ones.

Makes 24 or more, depending on the size of crackers

• 175 g (3/4 c) flour
• 125 g (1/2 c) whole wheat flour
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) dried catnip (available at pet shops and in the pet aisle at most supermarkets)
• 125 g (1/2 c) yogurt
• 1 egg
• 15 ml (1 tbsp) honey
• 45 ml (3 tbsp) vegetable oil1. Preheat oven to 175ºC (350ºF). In a medium bowl, mix flours and catnip together. Stir in yogurt, egg, honey and vegetable oil.2. Press out dough on a floured surface and cut into tiny treats using a cookie cutter or pizza wheel. Place on greased cookie sheet and bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.3. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for a week or in the freezer for up to three months.

Cats and their human companions alike will love these instant treats made from inexpensive frozen fish sticks. Adding a sprinkle of garlic powder will help your cat to repel fleas, and you won't find any treats as fresh or wholesome as these in a pet store.

Makes approximately 36 treats

• 1 package frozen, breaded fish sticks
• 2 ml (1/2 tsp) garlic powder

1.  Empty a box of frozen fish sticks onto a cutting board. Sprinkle with garlic powder and cut the frozen sticks into 2.5 centimetre (one inch) squares.
2. Store the squares in a zipper plastic bag (along with cooking instructions from the package) in the freezer for up to three months.
3. To serve, remove a square and microwave according to package directions, cool and serve at room temperature.

Cats will meow for the fishy flavour of these wholesome little fish balls. They're easy to make, easy on the budget, and the oily fish will help keep hairballs from forming. You won't find the likes of these in any store.

Makes six or eight treats

• 1 190-g (6 1/2-oz) can sardines, packed in oil
• 175 g (3/4 c) plain bread crumbs

1.  Empty the can of sardines into a mixing bowl. Mix in 125 grams (1/2 cup) bread crumbs. Roll the mixture into bite-size balls. When all balls are made, roll them in the remaining bread crumbs to coat.
2. Store in a sealed container or zipper plastic bag in the freezer.
3. To serve, thaw a ball to room temperature and place in your cat's bowl.