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.
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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 dog food may incorporate the use of fruits, vegetables, cereals, legumes including soya, nuts, vegetable oils, as well as any other non-animal based foods.
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).
How to cook for vegan dog? ›
Add the ingredients to pressure cooker in order: beans, rice, lentils, oats (for dogs over 7 years old, if using) peas, green beans, broccoli, and spinach plus water. Cook for 12 minutes with natural release. It can take almost 45 minutes for the pressure to come down and release.
What do vets think of vegan dog food? ›
Nutritional requirements of pets
While it is theoretically possible, the British Veterinary Association does not recommend giving a dog a vegetarian or a vegan diet as it is much easier to get the balance of essential nutrients wrong than to get it right.
What is the best plant-based protein for dogs? ›
FACT: Dogs need protein, but it doesn't have to come from meat. Plant foods like peas, lentils, and chickpeas are high in protein and easily digestible for dogs. Dog food companies have been using these plant-based protein sources for decades, and dogs in India have been on meatless diets for centuries.
What not to put in homemade dog food? ›
There is a wide variety of unhealthy and unsafe foods to avoid when preparing meals for your dog. Potentially toxic ingredients are of special concern, including chocolate, xylitol, avocado, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, and macadamia nuts.
What are the best vegetables to put in homemade dog food? ›
Here are some vegetables that are good for dogs to eat, along with the recommended serving size:
- Carrots: 1-2 medium carrots per day.
- Green beans: 1/2 cup cooked green beans per day.
- Broccoli: 1/4 cup cooked broccoli per day.
- Kale: 1/4 cup cooked kale per day.
- Spinach: 1/4 cup cooked spinach per day.
Homemade Dog Food Recipes
- At least 10% protein, such as ground meat like ground chicken, ground turkey, fish, lean beef.
- Up to 50% carbohydrates, such as pasta, brown rice, and sweet potatoes.
- About 2.5-4.5% fiber can come from mixed vegetables like peas, green beans, and carrots (frozen vegetables work too!)
Look for a commercial vegan dog food that meets these minimum requirements. Instead of meat, check for high-protein plant ingredients like beans or legumes. Plant protein concentrates like potato protein, pea protein, or soy protein isolate can also help meet your dog's protein requirements.
What do you feed a vegan dog? ›
A vegan diet for dogs will typically contain some of the following ingredients:
- Rice.
- Quinoa.
- Oats.
- Lentils.
- Beans.
- Seeds such as millet or flax.
- Spinach.
- Kale.
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).
How do I make dry food tasty for my dog? ›
Adding extra high-quality meat or egg protein reduces the overall carbohydrate content and is especially good for active dogs or dogs who have become overweight from a high-carbohydrate diet. Eggs can be raw or lightly scrambled. Topping kibble with lightly cooked foods can improve palatability.
Is homemade dog food better than dry? ›
There's currently a lack of evidence to suggest there are any benefits of homemade dog food that dogs can't already get from a complete and balanced dry or wet food.
Is it healthy to feed dogs vegan food? ›
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 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 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.
Is it healthy for dogs to go vegan? ›
As long as they're consuming the essential nutrients in the correct amounts and ratios, dogs can be vegan, vegetarian, or meat-eaters,” Swanson says. “Knowledge of ingredient composition and nutrient needs are critical, however.
