A growing kitten needs plenty of animal protein, energy, and above all taurine — an essential amino acid that cats cannot produce on their own and that is found in abundance in heart meat. These little meatballs combine lean beef and chicken heart, one of the best natural sources of taurine, into small, soft bites perfectly sized for tiny mouths. They are designed for already-weaned kittens (from around 2 months of age), as a meal or a nutritious treat.
Ingredients
- 120 g lean ground beef
- 50 g chicken heart
- 1 tablespoon water
Method
- Trim any remaining fat from the chicken hearts and chop them finely with a knife or a food processor.
- Mix the ground beef and chopped heart with one tablespoon of water until you have a uniform mixture.
- Shape into very small meatballs, roughly the size of a chickpea, suitable for a kitten.
- Cook in a non-stick pan without oil over medium heat, turning frequently, for 5–6 minutes until cooked through (they must not remain raw inside).
- Allow to cool slightly and gently flatten the meatballs if your kitten is very young.
Notes
Heart meat is rich in taurine but also very concentrated: use it in small amounts, as in this recipe, and not as a sole food source. Meat should always be thoroughly cooked for kittens, who are more sensitive to bacteria. These meatballs are a tasty supplement: a growing kitten's diet must be complete and balanced, so consult your vet about portion sizes and the base diet.
Storage
Keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 days in a sealed container. They can be frozen once cooked for up to 2 months; thaw in the refrigerator and warm slightly before serving at room temperature.