Cat-safe birthday cake: a tiny tuna or chicken cake

Cats are obligate carnivores and most have no interest in sweet cake – they cannot taste sweetness. A good cat birthday cake is really a small, protein-based treat shaped like a cake.

Ingredients (2–3 small portions)

• 1 small can (about 80 g) tuna in spring water, drained – or the same weight of plain cooked chicken
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp oat flour or plain cooked rice to bind (optional)

"Frosting": a thin layer of your cat's usual pâté-style wet food, or a spoon of plain mashed cooked pumpkin.

Method

1. Heat the oven to 175 °C / 350 °F.
2. Mash the fish or chicken with the egg (and binder) until smooth.
3. Press into a greased ramekin or two mini muffin cups.
4. Bake 15–20 minutes until set and cooked through. Cool completely.
5. Turn out, spread the wet food "frosting" on top and add a few of your cat's dry treats as decoration.

No-bake option

Stack two spoonfuls of your cat's favourite pâté into a small cookie cutter on a plate, lift off the cutter and top with crushed freeze-dried chicken treats. Ready in two minutes.

Foods to keep away from cats

• Onion, garlic, chives, leeks (in any form, including stock and powders)
• Chocolate, coffee, alcohol, raw yeast dough
• Grapes and raisins
• Milk and cream – most adult cats are lactose intolerant
• Xylitol and sugary icing
• Cooked bones and fish bones

Portion size

A cat's whole daily food intake is small, so the cake should be a few bites. Serve a teaspoon-to-tablespoon sized piece and feed a little less dinner that day. Tuna is best as an occasional treat, not a daily food. Refrigerate leftovers and use within two days.

Cats with kidney disease, allergies or a special diet: check with your vet before changing what they eat.

More ways to celebrate: cat birthday ideas and birthday photo tips. Then turn the best photo into a birthday card starring your cat.

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