Pet Owner Nutrition Services
Custom Homemade Cat Food Recipes, Formulated by a Pet Nutritionist
Complete and balanced homemade recipes built for your cat’s unique nutritional requirements, life stage and food preferences, with every nutrient calculated, every supplement specified and every step explained.
Cats Are Not Small Dogs, and Their Recipes Can’t Be Either
Cats are obligate carnivores with nutritional requirements unlike those of dogs or people. A homemade recipe that looks wholesome can still miss nutrients cats specifically need.
Cooking for your cat gives you control over every ingredient and the chance to build meals around what your cat will actually eat. It also leaves very little room for error. Cats need several nutrients that most other species can make for themselves, and they tolerate some deficiencies poorly.
I develop custom homemade cat food recipes using the same formulation approach I use for commercial dog and cat foods, adapted to one cat, one household and one kitchen. Every essential nutrient is calculated against your cat’s requirements, so you know the diet is complete before it reaches the bowl.
Why a Professionally Formulated Recipe Matters
Published research shows how difficult it is to get a homemade cat diet right without calculation.
0 of 94
published homemade cat recipes that could be analyzed met all of the NRC’s recommended allowances for adult cats (Wilson et al., 2019).
7%
of the 114 cat recipes in the same study called for ingredients potentially toxic to cats, such as garlic, onions and leeks.
Many of the recipes were severely short on choline, iron, zinc, thiamine, vitamin E or manganese, and many gave unclear or no feeding instructions. A separate evaluation of recipes published in Portuguese found that every recipe fell below recommendations for at least one nutrient (Pedrinelli et al., 2017).
These studies evaluated general published recipes written for no cat in particular. They show why calculation matters, not that homemade feeding cannot work.
A properly formulated homemade diet can support a cat every day. Homemade food is not inherently healthier than a complete and balanced commercial diet. The difference comes down to formulation and consistent preparation.
What Makes Feline Nutrition Different
Cats evolved on a diet of prey, and their metabolism reflects it. Several of their requirements have no equivalent in dogs, and each one changes how a homemade recipe has to be built.
| Nutrient | What’s different in cats | What it means for a homemade recipe |
|---|---|---|
| Taurine | Cats cannot make enough taurine and must get it from their diet. Deficiency is linked to retinal degeneration, reproductive problems and heart disease. | Taurine is lost when meat is cooked, especially into cooking liquid, so it usually needs to be supplemented in a calculated amount. |
| Arginine | Cats are highly sensitive to arginine deficiency. Even a single arginine-free meal can cause a dangerous rise in blood ammonia. | Protein sources and amounts must reliably deliver adequate arginine in every meal. |
| Vitamin A | Cats cannot convert beta-carotene from plants into vitamin A. | Vitamin A must come from animal sources or supplements. Liver-heavy diets can also cause vitamin A toxicity, so liver must be measured carefully. |
| Niacin | Cats cannot make meaningful niacin from tryptophan, so their dietary requirement is high. | Ingredients and supplementation must cover niacin directly. |
| Arachidonic acid | Cats need dietary arachidonic acid, a fatty acid most species make from linoleic acid. | Animal fats are required. Plant oils alone cannot meet the requirement. |
| Protein | Cats have high protein requirements and continuously use amino acids for energy and glucose production, even when protein intake is low. | Recipes need a high proportion of animal protein, and protein cannot be traded for cheaper energy sources the way it often can in dog recipes. |
| Carbohydrates | Cats have no dietary carbohydrate requirement and a limited capacity to adapt to high-carbohydrate diets. | Starches play a minor role, if any, and are kept in proportion to the recipe’s purpose. |
| Thiamine | Cats have a relatively high thiamine requirement. Thiamine is destroyed by heat, and raw fish contains an enzyme that breaks it down. | Cooking losses must be accounted for, and supplementation is usually needed. |
| Vitamins D and E | Like dogs, cats rely on dietary vitamin D. Fish-heavy diets increase vitamin E requirements. | Both need calculating. Vitamin D is toxic in excess, and fish-based recipes need extra attention to vitamin E. |
Because of these differences, a dog recipe should never be fed to a cat, and a generic “meat and a little rice” recipe falls short for cats even faster than it does for dogs. Every feline recipe needs to be formulated for cats from the start.
Custom Homemade Cat Food Recipe Development
Every recipe starts with your cat. I formulate around your cat’s age, body condition, activity, health history and the foods and textures your cat accepts, along with the practical side: what you can buy, your budget and how much time you have for preparation.
Recipes built for your cat
- Adult maintenance
- Kittens
- Senior cats
- Pregnant or nursing cats
- Food sensitivities and limited ingredients
- Medical conditions, with your veterinarian
- Your cat’s preferred proteins and textures
- One recipe or a small set for variety
What each recipe package includes
Individualized recipe development
Ingredients chosen for your cat’s needs, preferences and tolerances.
Energy requirement calculations
Daily calorie needs estimated for your cat’s weight, life stage and lifestyle.
Formulation to feline standards
Every essential nutrient, including taurine, arginine and arachidonic acid, evaluated against NRC and AAFCO targets for cats.
Calculated supplementation
The specific vitamin, mineral and taurine supplementation the recipe needs, in measured amounts.
Daily feeding recommendations
A starting daily amount based on the recipe’s calorie density, with guidance on adjusting it.
Grams and kitchen measurements
Exact ingredient weights plus practical measurements for everyday use.
Preparation, storage and transition
Cooking, batching and storage instructions, plus guidance on introducing the new diet gradually.
Complete nutritional breakdown
A full nutrient profile showing how the recipe compares with its targets.
Homemade recipe review
Already feeding your cat a homemade diet? I can evaluate the recipe you’re using now, including any changes you’ve made along the way, and tell you clearly what is working, what isn’t and what needs to change.
Sometimes a few targeted adjustments are enough. Sometimes reformulating makes more sense. Either way, you’ll know where your cat’s diet stands.
- Nutritional adequacy for your cat’s life stage
- Taurine, arginine, vitamin A and niacin
- Calcium and phosphorus balance
- Supplement suitability and amounts
- Calorie content and feeding amounts
- Ingredient substitutions made over time
How the Recipe Formulation Process Works
The process is structured so that your recipe is built on accurate information about your cat and is realistic for your household to prepare.
- 1
Discovery conversation
We talk about your cat, your goals, what you’re feeding now and whether you need a new recipe or a review of an existing one.
- 2
Detailed intake
Age, weight, body condition, indoor or outdoor lifestyle, neuter status, health history, current diet and treats, preferred proteins and textures, foods your cat refuses and kitchen practicalities.
- 3
Veterinary information
For cats with medical conditions, I review relevant records and coordinate with your veterinarian so the recipe fits your cat’s care plan.
- 4
Energy and nutrient targets
I estimate your cat’s daily energy requirements and set nutrient targets for their life stage and circumstances.
- 5
Formulation
I select ingredients and quantities, calculate the full nutrient profile, determine supplementation and refine the recipe until every essential nutrient meets its target without exceeding safe upper limits.
- 6
Recipe delivery, transition and follow-up
You receive the complete recipe package with a gradual transition plan. We then check how your cat is accepting the food and adjust feeding amounts or ingredients if needed.
Timelines depend on the complexity of your cat’s needs and whether veterinary input is required. I’ll confirm the timeline for your project before we begin.
Designed for Cats Who Know What They Like
A nutritionally complete recipe only works if your cat eats it. Cats often have firm preferences for particular proteins, textures and even serving temperatures, and many are cautious about new foods. I build those preferences into the formulation from the start.
Preferences built in
Recipes are formulated around the proteins and textures your cat already accepts, wherever nutritional targets allow.
Gradual transitions
New diets are introduced slowly, mixed with the current food, so your cat can adjust without a sudden change.
Never by hunger
Cats should never be pushed onto a new food by withholding meals. A cat that stops eating should be seen by a veterinarian promptly.
The Nutritional Standards Behind Every Recipe
A recipe can only be called complete and balanced if it has been checked against a recognized nutritional standard. I formulate homemade cat recipes using two references:
NRC Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats
The scientific reference for feline nutrient requirements. It provides minimal requirements, adequate intakes, recommended allowances and, where data exist, safe upper limits for each nutrient.
AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles
The standard used to establish nutritional adequacy for commercial cat food in the United States, and widely used as a reference in Canada. It sets minimums for all essential nutrients, including taurine and arachidonic acid, and maximums for some.
Both express nutrient targets relative to energy, per 1,000 kcal. Your cat eats to meet their calorie needs, so in a calorie-dense recipe every other nutrient has to be more concentrated to compensate. Formulating per calorie keeps the whole diet in proportion.
AAFCO does not approve individual recipes or diets. When I describe a recipe as complete and balanced, it means the recipe has been calculated to meet the nutritional targets set for your cat’s life stage.
| Life stage | What changes in the formulation |
|---|---|
| Adult maintenance | Targets set to maintain healthy body condition and long-term nutritional adequacy. |
| Kittens | Higher requirements for energy, protein and many minerals and vitamins per calorie. Recipes and feeding amounts need updating as the kitten grows. |
| Pregnancy and lactation | Energy and nutrient needs rise substantially, especially during lactation. |
| Senior cats | There is no separate senior nutrient profile. Recipes are built around the individual cat’s body condition, health and changing needs. |
Working Alongside Your Veterinarian
Nutrition supports veterinary care. It does not replace it. Many cats who need a homemade diet have medical conditions, such as kidney disease, gastrointestinal disease or food sensitivities. For these cats, I develop recipes in collaboration with your veterinarian so the diet fits your cat’s overall care plan and monitoring.
If your veterinarian has recommended a therapeutic diet, any homemade alternative should be discussed with them first. A well-formulated recipe can support the nutritional management of a condition, but diet decisions for a cat with a health condition should always be made together with the veterinary team.
Who This Service Is For
Custom recipe formulation suits owners who want to feed homemade food as a complete daily diet, not just an occasional treat. That includes:
- Owners switching their cat from commercial food to homemade
- Owners already feeding homemade food who want it checked
- Kitten owners who want a growth recipe done properly
- Owners of senior cats with changing needs
- Cats with food sensitivities or a short list of accepted foods
- Cats with medical conditions, working with their veterinarian
- Picky eaters who need a recipe built around what they will eat
- Multi-cat households with cats that have different needs
All services are delivered remotely, so I work with cat owners across Canada and the United States. Have a dog as well? I also formulate custom homemade dog food recipes.
- EducationMSc, Veterinary Toxicology & Nutrition, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan
- SpecializationCompanion animal nutrition and formulation
- Experience5+ years in pet food product development and consulting
About Your Pet Nutritionist
I’m Andrea Geiger, a Certified Companion Animal Nutritionist. My background combines graduate training in veterinary toxicology and nutrition with more than five years of developing and evaluating commercial pet foods, including cat food formulation, for brands across Canada and the US.
That experience shapes how I formulate for individual cats. Your recipe gets the same nutrient calculations, ingredient scrutiny and attention to practical preparation that a commercial formula receives, applied to one cat and written for a home kitchen.
Pricing
Pricing depends on the scope of your project, including the number of recipes, your cat’s life stage, any medical considerations and whether you need a new recipe or a review. Current packages are listed on my pricing page.
View Pricing
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a cat nutritionist do?
A cat nutritionist assesses diets, estimates energy and nutrient requirements, formulates complete and balanced recipes, and advises on commercial diets and supplements. “Nutritionist” is not a protected title in most places, so it is worth asking about a nutritionist’s education and formulation experience. For cats with medical conditions, a nutritionist should work alongside the cat’s veterinarian.
How much does a custom homemade cat food recipe cost?
Cost depends on the scope of the project, including how many recipes you need, your cat’s life stage, any medical considerations and whether you need a new recipe or a review of an existing one. Current packages are listed on my pricing page.
How long does it take to get a custom recipe?
Timelines depend on the complexity of your cat’s needs and whether veterinary information is required. I confirm the timeline for your project before we begin.
What information do you need to formulate my cat’s recipe?
I’ll ask about your cat’s age, weight, body condition, lifestyle, neuter status, health history and medications, current diet and treats, preferred proteins and textures, foods your cat refuses and how much time you have for preparation. For cats with medical conditions, recent veterinary records and bloodwork are also helpful.
Can you review my existing homemade cat food recipe?
Yes. I can evaluate your current recipe for nutritional adequacy, feline-specific nutrients such as taurine and arginine, calcium and phosphorus balance, supplementation and feeding amounts, then explain what needs to change or whether reformulating makes more sense.
Does homemade cat food need added taurine?
Usually, yes. Cats must get taurine from their diet, and a significant amount can be lost when meat is cooked, particularly into cooking liquid. Your recipe will specify whether taurine supplementation is needed and how much, based on the complete recipe and preparation method.
Can you formulate a homemade recipe for a kitten?
Yes. Kittens have higher requirements for energy, protein and many minerals and vitamins than adult cats. Because energy needs change as a kitten grows, recipes and feeding amounts need to be updated over time.
Can you formulate a recipe for a cat with a health condition?
Yes, in collaboration with your veterinarian. A homemade recipe can be formulated to support the nutritional management of conditions such as kidney disease, gastrointestinal disease or food sensitivities, but diet decisions for a cat with a health condition should be made together with the veterinary team.
Can I use my dog’s homemade recipe for my cat?
No. Cats need more protein than dogs, along with dietary taurine, arachidonic acid, preformed vitamin A and more niacin. A recipe formulated for a dog will not meet a cat’s requirements, so each species needs its own recipe.
What if my cat won’t eat the new food?
Recipes are built around the proteins and textures your cat already accepts, and new diets are introduced gradually alongside the current food. Never withhold food to force a change. A cat that stops eating should be seen by a veterinarian promptly, and recipe adjustments can be made during follow-up.
How do I know how much to feed?
Your recipe includes a starting daily amount in grams, calculated from your cat’s estimated energy needs and the calorie density of the finished recipe. You’ll also get guidance on monitoring body condition and adjusting portions over time.
Do you work with clients outside Canada?
Yes. All services are delivered remotely, and I work with cat owners in both Canada and the United States. If you are located elsewhere, get in touch to discuss your situation.
Is homemade cat food better than commercial cat food?
Not inherently. A complete and balanced commercial diet and a properly formulated homemade diet can both support a healthy cat. Homemade feeding offers ingredient control and customization, but its nutritional quality depends on how well the recipe is formulated and prepared.
Custom Recipe Formulation
Ready to cook for your cat with confidence?
Let’s talk about your cat, your goals and the recipe support you need. The first step is a conversation about your cat’s age, health, current diet and food preferences, and whether a new recipe or a review of your current one is the right fit.