Homemade chicken treats are going to be a godsend

[MamaMug]

OH MY GOODNESS!
I was searching the forum for low carb treats as I realized that our normal supply is likely pretty high carb (blue wilderness crunchy). I've been using stella and chewy freeze dried fish recipe as a post BG testing treat, but it thus far hasn't really enticed him. As he's highly motivated by food, I've really been wanting to treat him after testing since it's new and a bit scary, so that we can normalize (and he can perhaps even look forward to this process).

I found an old thread where someone mentioned baking a plain piece of chicken with no seasonings and oil, to cut up into treat sized pieces and keep in an airtight bag in the fridge... WOW does he love these! He got one after PMPS tonight and ran back immediately for another!

Last night I was pouting a bit as it's one of my fears that Gato will just avoid me because I'm primarily the one poking and prodding (Dad is working on it but struggling with testing). Gato doesn't know that this is all for his health, he just knows things are crazy right now! Little things like this make me really hopeful that I won't lose my connection with our boy, and that we can get through this.

 

[Idjit's mom]

I'm glad you found a low carb treat that works. I pressure cook chicken breasts, cool, slice up and freeze on a flat surface. Then when frozen, they go into a freezer bag. I take out one or two to thaw in the fridge and he always has a supply of goodies.
If you boil the the breast, you can save the broth, let it cool in fridge, skim off any fat and add small amounts to the wet food. A little extra flavor, nutrition and moisture. You can freeze it in ice cube trays, and when the hotter months come around, leave one in a small saucer for him to lap at as it thaws.
Take heart about the testing. I doubt very much you are going to lose your connection to Gato. You know you are doing the best thing for him, and having these treats is only going to help. He will get used to the routine and may even come running when he hears you rattle the strips bottle. Some member's cats actually do! Idjit doesn't like the testing, or having his ears cleaned. But he still curls up with us at night, and follows Dad all around the yard. They sit together on the porch in the warm sun, so I know he doesn't hold a grudge.

 

[MamaMug]

If you boil the the breast, you can save the broth, let it cool in fridge, skim off any fat and add small amounts to the wet food. A little extra flavor, nutrition and moisture. You can freeze it in ice cube trays, and when the hotter months come around, leave one in a small saucer for him to lap at as it thaws.

He LOVES ice in his water bowl year round, so I'm sure he would love a little broth treat. I'll have to give it a shot!

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

I used to put a cube of chicken broth (unfrozen) in Sheba's dish every time I tested her and she lapped it up while I tested. She loved it.
Make sure you don't add anything to the broth except the chicken and water. I used to make my broth with chicken legs. After the meat was cooked I took it off the bone and into the frig and kept cooking the bones for a few hours. I used to meat for Shebas meals.. I always had a large container of chicken broth cubes in the freezer.

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

Chicken was China's first "testing treat".....she loved it! I always tested her in the same place and it didn't take long for her to figure out that when Mama started fooling with the gadgets, it was time for her to get a treat and she'd come running!!