The day I filmed this was the first official day of fall, and I could feel the shift immediately.
Fall always slows me down in the best way.
Apples start showing up in everything, the air feels different, and suddenly pumpkin spice finds its way into my coffee without me even thinking twice about it.
As I leaned into the season, I realized I wanted to include my cat,
Bat, in the fun. He’s always nearby when I’m cooking, watching closely, and I often feel a little guilty enjoying food he can’t have.
So I decided to spend the afternoon making fall-themed cat treats that we could actually share.
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AMAZON SHOPPING LIST (HOMEMADE CAT TREATS ESSENTIALS)
- Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls (Set of 3)
Perfect for combining ingredients for cat treats
BUY NOW ON AMAZON - Silicone Baking Mat (2-Pack)
Prevents treats from sticking and makes cleanup easy
BUY NOW ON AMAZON - Mini Whisk or Silicone Spoon
Mixes ingredients smoothly for perfect cat treat batter
BUY NOW ON AMAZON - Cat-Shaped Cookie Cutter Set
Makes treats fun and themed for your feline friend
BUY NOW ON AMAZON - Airtight Food Storage Container (Small)
Keeps homemade cat treats fresh and ready for sharing
BUY NOW ON AMAZON
Why I Wanted to Make These Treats
I’ve always loved baking for myself and my family, but I realized my cat was missing out on that homemade love.
Store-bought treats are convenient, sure, but they often contain fillers, artificial flavors, and preservatives that I’d rather avoid.
Making soft chicken and oat cat treats felt like a way to give her something truly wholesome—tasty, healthy, and made with love.
I also wanted treats that were soft and easy to chew, especially for older cats or picky eaters who don’t enjoy crunchy snacks.
Plus, there’s something incredibly satisfying about seeing my cat’s excitement when I open the container—she knows these are different, special treats just for her.
Ultimately, I wanted a recipe that was simple, safe, and cat-approved, something I could make anytime without worrying about hidden ingredients.
Baking these treats has become a little fall ritual for us, a cozy way to bond and spoil her with something I know is both delicious and healthy.
A Simple, Flexible Recipe
Most of the time when I’m baking something in the kitchen, it’s not planned in this perfect “Pinterest way.”
It usually happens on one of those busy days where I’m trying to keep up with the house, maybe the kids are moving around the living room, someone is asking me a question, and I still find myself pulling ingredients together just to make something cozy for my cats too.
This simple cat treat recipe fits into that kind of life perfectly. It doesn’t need anything fancy—just basic kitchen ingredients like cooked chicken or tuna, an egg, and a little oat flour or pumpkin if I have it.
I mix everything in one bowl while I’m also checking on whatever else is going on around the house, then shape small little bites and pop them in the oven.
What I like about it is how flexible it is. Some days I make it softer because I know one of my cats prefers it that way, other days I bake it a bit longer so it turns into a crunchy treat they can enjoy later.
It’s not a strict recipe in my kitchen, it’s more like something I adjust depending on what I have and how the day is going.
By the time everything is done, I’m usually still moving between the kitchen and the rest of the house, but it feels nice knowing I made something simple that fits into real life—and my cats are always the first ones waiting nearby like they know something is for them.
Getting Started in the Kitchen
I began by preheating the oven to 350 degrees. From there, I focused on keeping the ingredients gentle and minimal.
I intentionally cut the flour amount in half, since flour isn’t ideal for cats, even though it’s safe in small amounts.
Oats were added for texture, and for the wet ingredients, I used unsweetened applesauce and pumpkin purée.
Bat had already sampled the pumpkin earlier and was clearly a fan, which felt like a good sign.
Because I wasn’t using eggs and had reduced the flour, I added a small spoon of peanut butter to help everything bind together. I don’t measure much when I cook like this.
I go by texture and feel, especially when the recipe is meant to be casual.
Taste Testing and First Reactions
This is honestly my favorite part of making homemade cat treats. After everything is baked and the kitchen starts smelling warm and cozy, I usually place a few small pieces on a plate and call my cats over.
It’s always a funny moment because they somehow know immediately that something new is happening.
I’ll be moving between the kitchen and the rest of the house, and suddenly I notice them circling my feet or waiting quietly nearby like they’re trying to stay patient.
The first sniff is always the real test. If I did it right, they don’t even hesitate—they just go straight in.
What I love most is seeing their different reactions. One of my cats is more cautious and takes her time, while the other acts like I’ve been holding out on her all day.
It turns into this small, happy moment in the middle of a normal day at home, and it always makes the effort feel worth it.
It’s not just about whether they like the treat or not—it’s that little connection in the kitchen that makes everything feel more personal.
Shaping the Treats Without Overthinking It
Instead of rolling out the dough and cutting shapes like the recipe suggested, I kept things easy.
I rolled the dough into small balls and placed them directly on a nonstick baking pan.
I made:
- Smaller pieces for Bat
- Larger cookie-sized pieces for me
I skipped oil entirely and trusted the pan to do its job. The dough felt slightly loose, but I decided to bake a test batch first before making changes.
Bat stayed close the entire time, licking my hands and inspecting everything like a very serious quality control manager.
Baking and a Small Upgrade for Humans
While the treats were baking, it occurred to me that they probably wouldn’t be very exciting for me.
Bat seemed thrilled already, but I wanted something that felt more seasonal.
So I made a simple pumpkin spice cream cheese frosting just for the human-sized cookies.
I didn’t measure anything. I added cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and pumpkin spice until it felt right.
The frosting ended up a little chunky, but I stopped mixing early because Bat was already nervous from all the background noise in the apartment.
This day was supposed to be comforting, not overwhelming.
The Finished Treats
By the time the treats come out of the oven, the whole kitchen has that warm, cozy feeling that makes everything slow down for a moment.
I usually let them cool on the tray while I tidy up a bit around the house or check on whatever else is going on, and my cats are already sitting nearby like they know something is for them.
I like how simple they look at this stage—nothing fancy, just small homemade bites that feel real and fresh.
Some days they turn out a little uneven, other days a bit more uniform, but they always have that homemade touch that makes them feel special in their own way.
Once they’re fully cooled, I’ll break a few pieces and set them down for my cats. That’s usually the part that makes everything feel worth it.
They don’t care about how perfect they look—they just care that it’s something made with them in mind.
It’s a small moment, but it fits nicely into my everyday life at home, between everything else happening around the kitchen and living space.
The Real Test: Bat’s Reaction
After hours of baking and waiting,
Bat was asleep nearby. I gently woke him and offered a small piece.
At first, he seemed unsure. He picked it up, dropped it, tried again, and spit it out.
I couldn’t tell if he liked it or not.
Then he ate it.
That was the moment I knew the effort was worth it.
I tried one too, and surprisingly, it wasn’t bad.
It reminded me of mild pumpkin waffles. Nothing sweet, but comforting in a fall kind of way.
Bat accepted another small piece shortly after, which felt like full approval.
Frosting, Tricks, and a Very Sneaky Cat
I don’t always frost my cat treats, but sometimes I’ll add a very simple cat-safe topping just to make them feel a little extra special.
Nothing complicated—just a light smear of plain pumpkin or a tiny bit of blended chicken gravy if I already have some in the fridge. It’s more about adding a fun touch than anything else.
The funny part is that my cats seem to notice everything.
The moment I start moving around the kitchen with something new, one of them is already trying to sneak closer like she’s inspecting my every step.
I’ll turn my back for a second and suddenly she’s right there, acting like she’s been supervising the whole process from the beginning.
It always turns into this little back-and-forth in the kitchen—me trying to finish up, her trying to get “first access,” and the other one just watching quietly like she’s waiting for the official announcement that it’s ready.
It’s small, playful moments like this that make baking for them feel more personal.
It’s not just about making treats—it’s about those little interactions that happen in the middle of a normal day at home.
Final Thoughts
This wasn’t a perfect baking day. The treats weren’t pretty.
The apartment was loud. Bat was sleepy, curious, stressed, and mischievous all at once.
But I got exactly what I wanted.
I got to share food with my cat, lean into the season, and create a small moment of comfort during a chaotic day. Sometimes that’s all you really need.
If you’ve ever wanted a way to include your pet in seasonal traditions, something simple like this can make an ordinary afternoon feel special.