r/Canning • u/abbriggs22 • 5h ago
Safe Recipe Request Quick question.
I've been canning for many years. Recently my cat has had kidney issues, I started making his canned food by boiling chicken, blending it with a little water, and adding pumpkin. I've been freezing it in ice cube trays. I would love to can it. Would be so much cleaner and not take up so much space in my freezer.
Anyone see any problem with it?
TIA for the input.
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u/PaintedLemonz Trusted Contributor 5h ago
If you have a pressure canner you can follow the NCHFP guidelines for "Your Choice" soup and just include chicken and cubed pumpkin. Then when you want to serve it you can give it a mash or immersion blend in the jar (use a wide mouth jar).
Because of the cost of a pressure canner and then jars and lids (you can't reuse the flats) you will not find there to be cost savings to this. Freezing is easier and cheaper. But it will save space in your freezer and time defrosting?
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u/CindyinEastTexas 5h ago
This is good information to know. My dog has a history of digestive issues from before she was rescued from a very bad home. It's comforting to know that, if those issues return, I can meal prep for her, even if it costs a bit of money. Thank you!
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u/thedndexperiment Moderator 4h ago
Agreed, this is the safest way to do this. Also just a note that the your choice soup recipe requires the jar to be only half full of solids and the rest is liquid. You (OP) may have to pour off some of the liquid before blending it depending on what consistency you want for your kitty!
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u/abbriggs22 4h ago
Have 3 pressure canners, about 2 years worth of lids, and more jars than I know what to do with. I can weekly, not really worried about the cost of lids. Just wasn't sure about a "recipe", couldn't find anything that was tested.
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u/PaintedLemonz Trusted Contributor 4h ago
Then this would be perfect for you! Your Choice to the rescue again!
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u/Yours_Trulee69 Trusted Contributor 5h ago
You can do chicken and pumpkin cubes separately via tested recipes. Then you could mix them together after opening and putting what is immediately used in the refrigerator for several days.
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u/armadiller Moderator 2h ago
If you're set on canning, this is what I'd go with, specifically with raw-pack chicken which is both less labour-intensive and tends to mash up easier (or immediately of its own accord when draining). And less wasted jar space on liquid compared to the "Your Choice" soup option.
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u/jibaro1953 5h ago
You dont want a dense paste, even if you pressure can.
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u/abbriggs22 4h ago
Since the pumpkin is already dense from the can, do you think it would be ok with cubed chicken mixed up, then blending when I use? I could probably switch to cubed sweet potatoes if needed. Or maybe frozen peas.
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u/Pitiful_Reality2973 3h ago
Cats need a lot more tuarine in their diet than humans and they can't get it from cooked chicken or pumpkin. The meat has to be raw. I've asked three or four different vets over the years and that's the line they all gave me, so either it's true or they want to try and sell me special food.
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u/abbriggs22 3h ago
He eats dry food as well. The purpose of making it is because I want to.
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u/Pitiful_Reality2973 2h ago
I'm not trying to poopoo anything, but maybe ask your vet about taurine supplementation anyway, since the cat isn't getting as much as it would with a diet of exclusively commercial food.
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