There are very few commercial vegan and/or vegetarian dog food products available in the United States. The vegan diet is controversial for pets, but it may be necessary for your pup. It's important to discuss this dietary change with your veterinarian. If they approve the switch, you can make vegan homemade dog food that will provide the nutrition that your dog needs.
There may be several reasons to choose to feed your dog a vegan or a vegetarian diet. The most common reasons are either ethical – that is, if the owners have turned vegan to fight against animal cruelty, they wish the same for their dogs – or health-related reasons.
Dr Cailin R. Heinze wrote an article on the Cummings Veterinary Medical Center website about veganism for dogs. She brings up some great points about the pros and cons of having your pup go vegan/vegetarian. She also notes how there are pets who did not do well on a vegan diet, but explains why that's not a reason to fully go against veganism.
Do your own research, consult your veterinarian, and reach out to expert pet nutritionists who may be able to guide you with this dietary switch. The one thing that you need to be sure of, no matter what diet you choose to feed your pet, is that your dog is receiving complete and balanced nutrition.
Vegan Homemade Dog Food Recipe
If not done properly, feeding a vegan diet could result in protein deficiency, an amino acid imbalance, and/or a vitamin and mineral deficiency. That's why it is so important to work with a trained professional to create a healthy balance of vegan recipes for your dog. You'll be able to offer him a variety of meals while still meeting his nutritional requirements.
Recipe: Vegan Homemade Dog Food with Chickpeas
Vegetarian and vegan diets are not typically recommended for dogs unless they have a health condition that requires a low protein diet or they have severe food allergies and stomach sensitivities. Typically these diets are fed by pet owners who choose to eat a vegan or vegetarian diet themselves.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: about 6 cups 1x
- Category: Vegan Food
- Method: Food Processor
- Cuisine: Dog Food
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked chickpeas
- 6 tbsp. peanut butter
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 cup water
- 1 beet
- 1 large carrot
- 1 celery stalk
Instructions
Cook the chickpeas according to the instructions on the packaging. Dice all the vegetables.
Add all of the ingredients into a food processor or blender. Puree the vegan homemade dog food until it will drip from a spoon.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 255
- Sugar: 7.1 g
- Sodium: 60 mg
- Fat: 9.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 33.4 g
- Fiber: 9.5 g
- Protein: 11.9 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
How to store: You can store the leftover homemade vegan dog food in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days or freeze them, and they’ll keep for up to 3 months. Keep in mind that this recipe includes no preservatives, so it won't last nearly as long as commercial dog food.
For More Information
We publish many homemade dog food and treat recipes every month. For more recipes, pet food cooking tips, and advice, see our “Recipes” section. If you're new to home-cooked dog food subject, I recommend you read more about “How Much To Feed” to understand serving sizes, “What Supplements To Use” to create well-balanced meals, and “How To Store” for tips on simple and easy homemade dog food storing in a fridge or a freezer.
