Cat

Tuna & Sardine Pate

General

Ingredients

  • 200g canned tuna in water (drained)
  • 100g canned sardines in water (drained, boneless)
  • 50g chicken liver (cooked, finely chopped)
  • 30g pumpkin puree (plain, unseasoned)
  • 15g sunflower oil
  • 5g water (as needed for consistency)

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Cook chicken liver thoroughly in boiling water for 10 minutes; allow to cool and finely chop.
  2. Drain canned tuna and sardines; remove any visible bones from sardines.
  3. Place tuna, sardines, chicken liver, pumpkin puree, and sunflower oil into a food processor or blender.
  4. Blend until a smooth, uniform pate forms, adding water 1–2 teaspoons at a time if needed.
  5. Weigh the total batch and divide into individual portions based on your cat's daily caloric needs.
  6. Serve immediately or store portions in airtight containers; refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
  7. Warm refrigerated food gently to room temperature before serving; never microwave.

💊 Required Supplements

Per 1 kg of prepared food, add: 2,000 IU vitamin A (retinyl acetate), 200 IU vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), 10 IU vitamin E (dl-alpha-tocopherol), 5 mg thiamine (B1), 6 mg riboflavin (B2), 5 mg pyridoxine (B6), 15 mcg vitamin B12, 25 mg niacin, 10 mg pantothenic acid, 0.5 mg folic acid, 0.1 mg biotin, 25 mg taurine, 1,000 mg calcium carbonate (to achieve Ca:P ~1.2:1), 10 mg zinc (zinc sulfate), 1 mg iron (ferrous sulfate), 0.5 mg manganese (manganese sulfate), 0.1 mg copper (cupric sulfate), 0.2 mg iodine (potassium iodide), 0.1 mg selenium (sodium selenite). Mix supplements thoroughly into the pate before portioning.

Nutritional Analysis

100 g (for a 4.5 kg cat requiring ~200 kcal/day)
Calories200 kcal
Protein24g (48% DM)
Fat9g (18% DM)
Carbohydrates2g (4% DM)
Fiber0.8g (1.6% DM)
Moisture65%
Calcium1.0% DM
Phosphorus0.85% DM
Ca:P Ratio1.2:1
DM = Dry Matter basis. Values are approximate and may vary based on ingredient sourcing and preparation methods.
This recipe provides a high-protein, moderate-fat, low-carbohydrate profile appropriate for obligate carnivores. Taurine is supplemented at 2,000 mg/kg DM to meet feline requirements. The calcium-to-phosphorus ratio of 1.2:1 supports skeletal and urinary tract health. Omega-3 fatty acids from sardines contribute to skin and coat condition. Moisture content supports urinary hydration. This formulation is designed to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for adult maintenance when supplements are included as directed.

🧊 Safety & Storage

Refrigerate prepared food in airtight containers at 0–4 °C for a maximum of 3 days. Freeze individual portions at −18 °C for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen portions overnight in the refrigerator. Discard any food left at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Wash hands, utensils, and surfaces before and after handling raw liver. Do not use salted, smoked, or seasoned canned fish products. Consult your veterinarian before feeding this recipe as the sole diet and schedule blood-work monitoring every 6 months.

⚠️ Recipe Drift Warning

Do not substitute tuna with raw tuna or other raw fish due to thiaminase and parasite risks. Do not replace sardines with anchovies or pickled fish due to excessive sodium. Do not omit or reduce the taurine supplement; deficiency causes feline central retinal degeneration and dilated cardiomyopathy. Do not replace chicken liver with beef liver in quantities exceeding 10% of the recipe without adjusting vitamin A levels, as excess vitamin A causes skeletal deformities. Do not use pumpkin pie filling; only plain pumpkin puree is safe. Ingredient substitutions alter the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio and micronutrient profile, potentially causing nutritional imbalances.

⚕️ Always consult your veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.

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