Product Description

Lots of people enjoy making or buying treats for their pets, but wouldn't it be wonderful to cook a real meal for the four-legged member of the household? Quirky yet practical, these cookbooks provide recipes that are nutritionally balanced and veterinarian-approved. They even include sections on "tandem" recipes - recipes for humans that, with slight modifications, can also be served to pets.

REAL FOOD FOR CATS is The Cat Lover's Cookbook, completely revised with new recipes, new information, and all-new illustrations.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #142996 in Books
• Published on: 2001-10-01
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 128 pages

From the Back Cover
Your cat will meow for more

This wonderfully inspired, joyously illustrated cookbook will have your cat rubbing your ankles faster than you can say "can opener." You'll find nutritionally balanced, vet-approved, no-fuss recipes, from Meowish Sushi to Kitty Fondue to Gizzard Goulash. In addition, there are prescription recipes for birthday parties and other special events, tips on cat care, and even tandem recipes - dishes to satisfy both the people and the cats in your household.

About the Author
Patti Delmonte was inspired to create a feline cookbook by the antics of her six adopted cats. She designs ceramics and other commercial products featuring cats, dogs, and kids, and she has illustrated six children's books publishing by Storey Books, including An Apple a Day! and Hearts and Crafts. She lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Anne Davis is an award-winning artist whose illustrations adorn the greeting cards produced by her company, Anne Made Cards. Davis's special relationship with animals inspires her art, and her commissioned animal portraits appear in many private collections.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Feather

We're not talking parakeets and cockatoos here. We're also not going to discuss robins, chickadees, sparrows, and other wild birds, although your crafty feline hunter might like to. Keep your feathered friends well guarded from your furry feline friends, and instead hand out liberal rations of Chicken Salad, Turkey Surprise, and the other bird-based recipes in this chapter. A happy, harmonious household shall reign forevermore.

It is of the utmost importance that you remove all bones from poultry meat before serving it to your cat. Chicken bones (and those of other poultry meats) tend to be thin and fragile; they splinter when chewed and, if swallowed, can cause internal bleeding and other damage. Knowing the persistence of a cat that smells chicken, I recommend that you bag up the chicken bones immediately upon removing them and dispose of them, outdoors, in a sturdy, raccoon-proof (and thus cat-proof) garbage can. In addition, never leave chicken unattended in your kitchen or on your plate. In one second, thump!, the cat's on the table; two seconds, thump-thump!, cat and chicken have hit the floor; and three seconds, whooosh!, cat and bird have disappeared round the corner, a blur of delighted fur streaking for the nearest safe hiding place.

You don't need much meat to concoct these recipes; they are useful ways to use up leftovers while also endearing you to your cat. So pull out the chopping block and get ready to cook - and try not to trip over that ever-loving bundle of feline joy winding itself around your ankles.

Chicken with Greens

Beet greens are a nutritional powerhouse, packed with vitamins and minerals. However, some cats' digestive systems are somewhat sensitive to beets and to greens in general. You may want to introduce your cat gradually to greens before using the full amount given here.

2/3 cup chicken with giblets (especially the liver)

1 cup tomato juice, or 1/2 cup tomato puree and 1/2 cup water

1/3 cup uncooked rice

1/2 cup finely chopped beet greens

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon iodized salt

1 teaspoon corn oil

1. Cut the chicken and giblets into kitty-bite-size pieces. 2. Bring the tomato juice to a low boil in a saucepan. Add the chicken and rice, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Add the greens, garlic, and salt. Cover and simmer for another 10 minutes.

3. Remove from heat and stir in the corn oil. Cool before serving.

Makes 2 or 3 servings

Chicken Chow Mein

Chow mein (it means "fried noodles") was actually first served in American Chinese restaurants. Your cat, however, won't care one whisker about its cultural authenticity, because this kitty version is delicious!

2 tablespoons corn oil

1/4 cup finely chopped green pepper

1/4 cup finely chopped red pepper

1/4 cup finely chopped onion

1 tablespoon flour

2 teaspoons bonemeal

1/2 cup chicken broth

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1/2 teaspoon iodized salt

Dash of pepper

1/4 cup finely chopped mushrooms

1/2 pound chicken breast, cooked and chopped

2 tablespoons cooked liver (see page 4 for instructions)

1 1/4 cups cooked egg noodles, chopped

1. Heat the corn oil in a saucepan. Add the green pepper, red pepper, and onion; sautT until the onion is soft and translucent. Sprinkle with flour and bonemeal.

2. Gradually stir in the chicken broth. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the soy sauce, the salt, a dash of pepper, the mushrooms, the chicken, and the liver. Simmer another 10 minutes.

3. Remove from heat and stir in the noodles. Cool and serve.

Makes 4 to 6 servings

Chicken Soup

Chicken soup is comfort food for humans and felines alike. If your cat has had a tough day - a trip to the vet, contractors making a racket in the house, or even a dearth of bugs for your proud hunter to chase - cheer him up with this soothing soup.

1/2 cup lentils

2 cups water

2 chicken breasts, boned and cut into kitty-bite-size pieces

1/4 cup finely chopped carrot

1/4 cup finely chopped broccoli

1/3 cup finely chopped onion

1 clove garlic, minced

1 teaspoon iodized salt

2 teaspoons bonemeal

2 tablespoons corn oil

2 tablespoons liver (cooked or raw)

1. Place the lentils in a 2-quart pan, add the water, and bring to a boil. Lower the heat, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes.

2. Add the remaining ingredients to the pan and simmer another 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Cool and serve by itself or over dry food. (Note: If your cat sometimes just picks out his or her favorite flavors, process a portion of the recipe in the blender on a low setting for a few seconds to create a finer consistency.)

Makes 4 or 5 servings

Customer Reviews

Useless
There are no serving sizes per recipe of by weight of cat. Calories are missing. How can I feed my cats a healthy diet without this vital information?

Are we all rating the same book?
I bought a copy of this book and haven't seen any recipes that call for onions. Granted, I've only made about half the recipes so far, but I've seen nothing that will harm our cats. Two of the recipes I've made did call for garlic but the amount was so small that it wouldn't have any adverse effect.

I've made the Tuna Cakes and the recipe did not call for onions. The fish chowder recipe makes 5 servings - no mention of onion, and only one clove of garlic was needed.

I'm also pleased about the various safety tips throughout the book. I recommend this book to all.

Real Food for Dogs: 50 Vet-Approved Recipes to Please the Canine Gastronome

The Kitten Owner's Manual: Solutions to all your Kitten Quandaries in an easy-to-follow question and answer format

Cat Toys: How to Make Your Home a Feline Paradise (Storey Country Wisdom Bulletin, a-251)

I didn't see onions
I got a copy of this book, looked at the Tuna Cakes recipe and it did not list onions. Also in the back of the book with the human recipes it informs to leave onions out of the cat's meal. Not sure why there is a difference but just wanted to inform that I didn't find onions in the recipes. ????