I love my Riley.  I swear he thinks he’s a dog.  Follows me everywhere, and as soon as I sit down, he wants to be in my lap.  Unfortunately for him, I don’t have as much time to sit down as he’d like.  But I do try to set aside about ten minutes every morning just for “Riley time”.  

I’ve been extra busy lately due to additional family responsibilities; and didn’t realize I had run out of kitty treats until I gave Riley the last one the other day.  With no time (or willingness) to go out to the store since it was pouring rain; I rummaged through my pantry until I found a can of sardines. Then I went to my recipe files looking for a sardine based kitty treat.  Once found,  I pulled out my food processor, scooped the sardines into it; added a little fresh catnip, oat flour*, an egg, and the rest of the ingredients and mixed until everything was well blended.  Then I just pinched off small bits and rolled them into small balls about half the size of a marble.  TIP:  Because the dough was a little sticky, I put a little olive oil on my fingertips to make the rolling easier.  The rolling part is what took the longest; and you want to make each piece about the same size.  I ended up with a tray and a half of pieces, about 90 or more.  Your count might vary depending on the size of your treats.  Treats will bake up crisper if they’re smaller.

Diff:  Easy      Prep:  10 min

Cook:  10-11 min     Makes:  90+ pieces

Ingredients:

• 1 cup oat flour* 

• 2 T fresh catnip, finely minced, or 1 T dried catnip

• 4-5 oz. sardines

• 1/4 c. fresh parsley, finely chopped

• 1 large egg

• 1/2 T olive oil

*can exchange 1/2 c with whole wheat flour, brown rice flour or quinoa flour

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

• Put all ingredients in a food processor fitted with blade attachment.  Process until mixture comes together.  Mixture should be cohesive, but a little sticky.  

• If you want to cut treats into shapes, spread mixture until 1/4 inch thick using your fingers; then cut out shapes using small cracker/cookie cutters.

• If not cutting out shapes, simply pinch off small pieces and roll into little balls. 

• Transfer treats to parchment lined sheet(s).  

• Bake for 10-11 minutes or until treats are dry to the touch and slightly browned.

• Allow to cool completely before giving them to your kitty.

• Store in an airtight container.

Well, you can imagine what it was like in my kitchen while I was making these!  Riley wound himself in and out of my legs as I mixed and rolled his treats; and stretched himself up as high as he could as they were cooling.  But the wait was worth it, as he happily munched down on several later that evening.  And then sat in my lap.

Hope your kitties will enjoy this too!  Until next time, wishing you all of God’s blessings, good health and happy eating!

Smiles and blessings,

Maria