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.
Why I Wanted to Make These Treats
Lately, our apartment complex has been nonstop construction.
Loud drilling, jackhammering, and fire alarm testing have made the days stressful, especially for Bat.
He’s usually calm, but all the noise had him clearly unsettled.
This baking project became more than just a seasonal recipe.
It turned into a small comfort ritual, something calming and familiar during a noisy, unpredictable day.
I wanted to do something simple that felt cozy for me and reassuring for him.
A Simple, Flexible Recipe
I found a recipe online that served as a loose guide, but I adjusted it to fit what I had at home and what felt right for a cat-friendly treat.
By accident, the recipe ended up being completely vegan, which worked out well since I’m vegetarian.
That meant I could try them too without hesitation.
The goal wasn’t perfection. It was safety, simplicity, and sharing.
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
I wasn’t sure how this mixture would turn out. There was no sugar, no pumpkin spice, and nothing that would make it taste like dessert.
But before I could even think about it, Bat decided for both of us.
I stepped away for a moment and came back to find him already licking the mixture.
That was my first real sign that this might actually be a success.
The batter was thick, orange, and very mild. I briefly considered adding cinnamon but decided against it. I wanted to keep the treats as simple and cat-safe as possible.
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
Once they came out of the oven, I was relieved.
They were firm, not sticky, and clearly cooked through.
They weren’t beautiful, but they were solid.
Honestly, they looked a bit like chicken nuggets, which made me laugh.
I separated the treats by size and set everything aside to cool before letting Bat try them.
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
Bat knows a few tricks, including shaking paws, though he was far too sleepy to perform that day.
I added frosting to one of my cookies, and that immediately caught his attention again.
Later, he somehow managed to get into the frosting himself, which led to a very dramatic moment where I questioned his loyalty and accused him of betrayal in classic cat-parent fashion.
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.