Make Your Own Cat Food

Along the waste not-want not theme, you can use leftovers to make your own cat food.  In the book, Real Food For Cats by Patti Delmonte, there are recipes for making your own cat food that are vet approved.

For example, bone meal is a supplement that cats need, however finely ground egg shells can be substituted for it.  Instead of scraping plates into the trash after dinner, scrape the protein, rice, and green veg into the food processor. Add the pan drippings for flavor and "gravy". Pulse on low until the mixture resembles canned cat food and serve!

As cats have different nutritional requirements than people, it is not recommended to make your own cat food all of the time.  It is fine to use it in combination with commercial cat food.  Ask your vet if you have questions - they may even have recipes to give you for cats that require special diets!

On your next trip to the library, ask for this book.  Learn what your cat needs to be healthy.  Use this information, in combination with your family's table scraps, to stretch your budget.  If it saves $1 per week, that's $52 a year!