Dry vegan dog food is hard to come by and expensive, but you can actually make it yourself. It is a long process, but it’s relatively straightforward and simple. It’s basically like making a giant cookie.
Dog’s Diet Needs
Most people think dogs need meat, but the truth is dogs are omnivores, and like people, they can thrive on plant-based foods as long as the foods are prepared properly.
Domesticated dogs co-evolved with humans over the course of thousands of years – some experts think as much as 100 thousand years – so their bodies are quite adept at processing many of the same foods we eat. However, dogs have shorter digestive tracts, so it’s important that the plant-based foods you feed them are well broken down beforehand. Otherwise, they won’t be able to properly digest them and absorb all the nutrients because the food will pass through them too quickly. So, you need to be picky about their diet.
Benefits and Downsides of Vegan Dog Food Made at Home
If you’re trying to feed your dog a vegan diet on a budget, the good news is many of the vegan foods that are good for dogs are also very cheap. These foods include beans, lentils, rice, oats, sweet potatoes, carrots, peanut butter, lettuce, and apples, just to name a few.
You could simply toss any combination of these foods in a food processor and feed them to your dog as a puree.
The only problem is, if the food is wet, you won’t be able to make and store it in large batches because it will eventually spoil if it’s not all consumed right away. Also, your dog might miss the crunchy satisfaction of dry food. But turning that doggie puree into dry dog food only requires a few extra steps. Essentially, you just have to bake it and dry it out. You just need a little bit of courage and effort to perform these.
Dog-Friendly Vegan Foods
- Beans
- Lentils
- Chickpeas
- Rice
- Oats
- Quinoa
- Wheat (some dogs may be allergic)
- Broccoli
- Spinach (in moderation)
- Lettuce
- Green Beans
- Cabbage
- Peas
- Potatoes (cooked)
- Carrots
- Zucchini
- Squash
- Cucumber
- Celery
- Bell Peppers
- Apples
- Pears
- Mango
- Watermelon
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Oranges
- Pineapple
- Bananas (in moderation)
- Peanut Butter
- Sunflower Seeds
- Pumpkin Seeds
- Sesame Seeds
- Chia Seeds
- Flax Seeds
- Hemp Seeds
- Coconut Oil
Note: While peanut butter and seeds are on the list, dogs should not be fed nuts. Nuts can cause an upset stomach and digestive problems.
Suggested Read: Vegan Natural Flavoring
How to Make Dry Vegan Dog Food
The recipe below is just one example of dry vegan dog food you can make for your pup. I made it using the doggie-safe foods we just happened to have on hand at the moment. You can apply the methods to your own blend of ingredients specialized for your furry buddy and get the same results. I would even suggest changing the formula from time to time to ensure your dog gets a wide variety of nutrients. Plus you can broaden your knowledge about making these DIY recipes.
Homemade Dry Vegan Dog Food
Cook/Cool Time: 3 hours, 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 cups dried pinto beans
- 2 cups brown rice
- 1 large sweet potato, chopped
- 1 large carrot, chopped
- 1 cup lettuce
- 2 tbsp flax seeds
- 2 tbsp peanut butter
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
Instructions
- Cook dried beans and rice according to package directions.
- Add beans, potatoes, carrots, and flax seeds to a large pot and boil until potatoes and carrots are soft. Let cool.
- Add all ingredients to a food processor and puree.
- Grease a baking sheet with coconut oil and spread mixture over it in a thin layer. Bake at 350º F for 45 min. Remove from oven and flip. Reduce heat to 300º F and bake for another 45 min. Remove from oven and break into piece. Reduce heat to 200º F and bake pieces until they are completely dry – about 30 to 60 min.
Notes
This recipe makes a small batch. We have a 60 lb athletic dog that eats a lot, and it lasted her about 2 days. Now that we know she likes it, the next time we make it, I will scale it up about 10 times so that it lasts about a month.
It is very important that the food is completely dry. If there is any moisture in it, it will get moldy after a few days. Store it in a Tupperware contain in the fridge for maximum freshness and shelf life.
http://veganfoodlover.com/homemade-dry-vegan-dog-food-recipe/
© VeganFoodLover.com
Disclaimer: We are not saying this is the only food you should feed your dog. Dogs need a well-balanced diet. Make sure your dog is eating a wide variety of foods and getting all the nutrients they need.
You might also wanna check out related articles like Vegan Gelato Recipes, Vegan Coconut Curry, Vegan Sausage Potato Soup, and more.
FAQs
Vegan pet food must not contain animal-derived ingredients, such as beef, poultry, fish, dairy, honey, eggs or other animal products. Instead, vegan pet food uses plant-based ingredients such as fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes to meet pets' nutrition needs.
How to make my dog vegan? ›
Any raw vegetables in a dog's diet should be grated or put through a food processor to enhance digestibility. To help with the adjustment to a vegetarian or vegan diet, start by mixing the vegetarian food in with what you usually serve. Gradually change the proportion until there is no meat left.
What supplements do vegan dogs need? ›
Top supplements to add
TAURINE AND L-CARNITINE NEEDS SUPPLEMENTING AS WELL AS VIT B12, ZINC, IRON, SULPHUR AMINO ACIDS SUCH AS METHIONINE AND CALCIUM AS WELL AS PROBIOTICS FOR A HEALTHY GUT MICROBIOME – JUST BE KIND SUPPLEMENT SUPPLIES ALL OF THESE.
Can I make dry dog food at home? ›
Homemade Dog Kibble
- 1 cup and 1 tablespoon (200 g) brown rice.
- ½ cup (100 g) lentils.
- 5 cups (1¼ liters) water.
- 3 medium carrots (200 g), peeled and chopped.
- 1 medium sweet potato (200 g), scrubbed and chopped.
- 1 apple, peeled, cored, and chopped, or ½ cup (100 g) unsweetened applesauce.
- ¾ cup (100 g) steel-cut oats.
From the veterinary profession's perspective, there just isn't enough scientific evidence currently to safely promote a vegan diet for dogs and cats.
What do vets say about vegan dogs? ›
“I do not recommend vegan/vegetarian diets for dogs,” veterinarian Dr. Kaite Pagan of Heart + Paw told Outward Hound. “Dogs are omnivores and thrive on both plant and animal diets. We risk our furry friends becoming nutritionally deficient on vegan or vegetarian diets.”
Is making your dog vegan healthy? ›
The research team was surprised to find certain blood metabolites – chemicals in the blood that can indicate health status – differed between the vegan diets and the chicken-based diet. Notably, blood triglycerides and cholesterol, measures of circulating fats, were significantly lower in dogs fed the vegan diets.
Can dogs live on a vegan diet? ›
Most dogs can do quite well on a carefully designed vegan diet that meets all of their nutritional needs. As a veterinary nutritionist, I use meat-free diets quite a bit to help manage various health concerns. The challenge is that designing these diets is not the easiest thing to do.
How do vegan dogs get protein? ›
Good sources of plant protein include chickpeas, green peas, soybeans, potatoes, rice, lentils, beans, and quinoa. In dog food, the protein composition can be sourced from a variety of ingredients, including grains, rice, corn, wheat, and/or barley.
How do I transition my dog to a vegan diet? ›
Just like in humans, sudden changes in diet can lead to stomach upsets so try transitioning your dog slowly. Mix half vegan food with half animal meat and gradually increase the percentage of the plant-based portion.
Bananas are safe for dogs, but moderation is key. Bananas are high in sugar, so too much of it can put your dog at risk of developing medical conditions. You should give your dog only a few thin slices of banana once in a while. At least 90% of your dog's food should be regular dog food.
Do vegan dogs need B12? ›
There are some nutrients that vegan dogs may lack, but these can be easily supplemented. One of the most important nutrients for dogs is vitamin B12. Vitamin B is essential for healthy brain function and nervous system regulation, and it's found in meat products like fish and poultry.
What not to put in homemade dog food? ›
What ingredients should you avoid in homemade dog food? There's a vast number of human foods which should never be fed to dogs. Here's a list of ingredients you should avoid in your homemade dog food recipe: Onions, garlics and chives: these can cause gastrointestinal problems and damage to red blood cells.
What ingredients should be in homemade dog food? ›
Your pet needs protein (animal meat, seafood, dairy, or eggs), fat (from meat or oil) and carbohydrates (grains or vegetables). They also need calcium (from dairy or an ingredient such as egg shells), and essential fatty acids (from certain plant oils, egg yolks, oatmeal, and other foods).
What should top 3 ingredients be dog food? ›
What are the top 3 ingredients to look for in dog food? The top ingredients to look for in dog food are high-quality proteins (named meat sources - chicken, beef, fish, and lamb), natural carbohydrates (whole fruits and vegetables), and healthy fats (animal fats or plant-based oils).
Is vegan dog food healthy for dogs? ›
Plant proteins do not contain all the essential amino acids dogs need—meat does. A balanced vegan dog diet should contain a combination of plant proteins that provide the ideal ratio of essential amino acids. Amino acid imbalance can put your dog at risk for serious health issues like heart disease.
Is vegan food healthy for dogs? ›
A growing body of research has shown that dogs can thrive on a plant-based diet—mainly because dogs are technically omnivores, so it all comes down to meeting their nutritional needs.
Is vegan dog food a good idea? ›
In theory, vegan dog food is acceptable provided it contains all the essential nutrients including vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates and fats that dogs need to be healthy and happy. Dogs don't actually need meat in their diet to survive, unlike their wolf ancestors.
