Serving a vegetarian diet to a dog can be a controversial topic. Your veterinarian, canine nutritionist, friends and family will all likely question your decision. Some dogs may require a vegetarian diet due to illness or allergy issues, but these cases are very few. Typically, owners that choose to serve meatless homemade dog food do so for their own personal reasons.
The concern with a meatless diet is that it will not provide the complete, balanced nutrition that your dog requires. This is why it is so important for you to consult with your veterinarian before switching your dog to a meatless diet. Better yet, consult a trained canine nutritionist who can guide you in creating meatless recipes that will provide proper nutrition for your pet.
Working with an expert will ensure that your dog is getting the right nutrition, which will keep your pet healthier, happier and increase his lifespan. They will recommend additional supplements to add to your pup's vegetarian diet that will make up for the lacking nutrients. When done correctly, a vegetarian diet can be a very healthy way to feed your dog.
Meatless Homemade Dog Food Recipe
If you've already cleared this diet with your vet, this meatless homemade dog food recipe could be a great addition to your pet's diet. Keep in mind that it is not 100% nutritionally balanced, so you'll need to add the required supplements before feeding it your pooch.
Recipe: Meatless Homemade Dog Food with Peanut Butter
There may be several reasons to choose to feed your dog a meatless diet. The most common reasons are ethical (if the owners have turned vegetarian, they wish the same for their dogs) or health related reasons. Either way, it's important to discuss this dietary change with your veterinarian or a certified canine nutritionist.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: about 15 cups 1x
- Category: Cooked Food
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: Dog Food
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 3 sweet potatoes (cubed)
- 3 cups peanut butter
- 6 cups water
- ½ cup brown rice
- ½ cup quinoa
- 1 cup lentils
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup flaxseed oil
Instructions
Bring the water to a boil over medium heat. Add the sweet potatoes, rice, quinoa and lentils. Turn the heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes.
Remove the food from the heat. Add the peanut butter, apple cider vinegar and flaxseed oil. Stirring the mixture will melt the peanut butter and allow all of the ingredients to combine equally.
Once cooled, you can feed the meatless homemade dog food to your pooch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 252
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 134 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Carbohydrates: 17.8 g
- Fiber: 4.6 g
- Protein: 9.1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
How much to feed: I recommend feeding about 1/2 cup of food for every 20 pounds of body weight. This recommendation is for 2 servings per day. This is just a guideline. Lazier pets and senior dogs may not need as many. It is extremely important to consult your veterinarian about the best serving size for your dog.
How to store: You can store the leftover meatless homemade 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.
