Turkey and Pumpkin Pâté Recipe for Cats

Cats have very different nutritional needs from dogs, which is why homemade cat food should center on animal-based proteins rather than large amounts of grains, fruits or vegetables. This home-canned Turkey & Pumpkin Pâté combines ground turkey with small amounts of pumpkin and zucchini to create a moisture-rich, meat-forward meal with a smooth texture many cats prefer. Pressure canning makes it possible to prepare multiple jars at once while giving you control over the ingredients going into your cat's bowl.

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By Diane Devereaux, The Canning Diva®
Last updated: September 28, 2026

Key Takeaways

• Ground turkey makes up the protein-rich foundation of this homemade cat food recipe.
• Pumpkin and zucchini are incorporated in smaller amounts alongside the meat rather than becoming the foundation of the meal.
• Water provides the moisture necessary to create a thick, pourable pâté before canning.
• The recipe may be pressure canned in pint or half-pint jars, making it easier to select portions based on the number of cats you feed.
• Preparing cat food at home gives you greater control over ingredients while adding convenient, shelf-stable food to your pet pantry.

Jump to Recipe

Understanding the Nutritional Needs of Cats

Dogs and cats may share our homes, but their nutritional requirements are quite different. Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning their bodies are designed to thrive primarily on animal-based proteins and fats.

For this reason, homemade cat food should not simply be a smaller version of homemade dog food. Meat, poultry and fish should remain the focus, while plant ingredients play a much smaller supporting role.

In Preserving for Your Pets, I designed my cat recipes around this principle. The canned pâtés emphasize animal protein while incorporating relatively small amounts of vegetables for fiber, moisture and variety.

Why Make Pâté-Style Cat Food?

Anyone who has lived with cats knows they can be remarkably particular about texture as well as flavor. Pâté gives us a way to combine meat, moisture and small amounts of vegetables into a smooth, uniform consistency.

Moisture is especially important when preparing food for cats. Cats naturally have a lower thirst drive and obtain much of their hydration through the foods they consume. Creating a properly hydrated pâté provides both the consistency needed for this recipe and additional moisture at mealtime.

For this recipe, the turkey is lightly cooked before pumpkin, zucchini and water are added. After simmering, everything is puréed until the mixture resembles a thick, pourable pâté. After processing, the mixture will naturally thicken and can be fluffed with a fork before serving.

Choosing the Right Jar Size

This recipe yields 7 pints or 14 half-pints, giving you flexibility when stocking your pet pantry. Half-pint jars can be especially useful for cat food because they reduce the amount of food opened at one time. When preserving foods for cats, I generally recommend considering how many cats you'll be feeding and how quickly you'll use an opened jar. Smaller jars can help reduce unnecessary food waste.

Turkey & Pumpkin Pâté

This smooth, moisture-rich pâté combines ground turkey with pumpkin and zucchini for a meat-forward homemade cat food you can preserve right in your pantry. Preparing it in pint or half-pint jars makes it easy to keep convenient portions of homemade food ready for your feline family members. The following recipe is from my book, Preserving for Your Pets: Healthy, Homemade Meals and Treats for Dogs and Cats.

Yield: 7 pints or 14 half-pints

Ingredients

• 5 lbs. (2.3 kg) ground turkey (10 cups/2 kg cooked yield)
• 4 cups (720 g) pumpkin, peeled and cubed (fresh or frozen)
• 4 zucchini, chopped (4 cups/480 g yield)
• 6 cups (1.4 L) water

Instructions

1. In a large stockpot, brown the ground turkey lightly over medium heat. Do not overcook, just cook enough to release fat and prevent clumping.
2. Add the cubed pumpkin, chopped zucchini, and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes to soften the vegetables. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
3. Working in batches, transfer the mixture to a food processor and purée on low until smooth and uniform. The texture should resemble a thick, pourable pâté. Add a small amount of hot water if needed for consistency.
4. Ladle the mixture into clean jars, leaving a 1-inch headspace. Remove any trapped air pockets and add additional mixture if necessary to maintain the 1-inch headspace.
5. Wipe the jar rim with a washcloth dipped in vinegar. Add lids and rings and hand tighten.
6. Process in a pressure canner at 10 PSI or according to your elevation and canner type. Process pints and half-pints for 75 minutes.

Recipe Tip: When you open a jar to serve to your cat, fluff the pâté with a fork to enhance its texture and entice even the pickiest feline to dig in.

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About the Author:
Diane Devereaux, The Canning Diva®, is an internationally recognized food preservation expert, author, and educator with over 30 years of home canning experience. She’s the author of multiple top-selling canning books and teaches workshops across the U.S. Learn more at TheCanningDiva.com.