A vegetarian diet for dogs is quite controversial in the veterinary field. While some dogs may need to be on a vegetarian diet due to health concerns or allergies, these cases are very few. Typically, pet owners looking to feed their pooch a homemade vegetarian dog food recipe do so because they do not eat meat and want their dog to follow the same values.
The concern with this diet is that it does not provide 100% of the nutrition that a canine needs on its own. That's why it is vital to your dog's health to consult your veterinarian or a certified canine nutritionist before switching your pet to a vegetarian diet.
They will recommend additional supplements to add to your pup's vegetarian diet that will make up for the lacking nutrients, especially for those with sensitive stomach. When done correctly, a vegetarian diet can be a very healthy way to feed your canine companion.
If you've already cleared this diet with your veterinarian, this homemade vegetarian 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.
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Homemade Vegetarian Dog Food Recipe
This recipe is based on the nutritional needs of a 25-pound adult dog with no health concerns that gets an average amount of exercise. The serving size is about 1.75 cups of food per day. This amount should be split into at least 2 meals per day.
Ingredients
- 2/3 cups of uncooked quinoa
- 1 1/3 cups of water
- 1 large sweet potato
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 banana sliced
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400°. Poke holes in the sweet potato with a fork and bake it until tender. This should take about 1 hour. You can also microwave it for about 5 minutes for faster results if you choose.
While the potato is cooking, boil the water and add the quinoa. Simmer it until all the water is absorbed. You'll also need to boil the peas according to the instructions on the packaging.
Slice the banana and chop the sweet potato into pieces suitable for your pet's size.
Now, all you have to do to finish this homemade vegetarian dog food recipe is to mix the quinoa, sweet potato, peas and banana together in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Once the mixture is sufficiently cooled, you can feed it to your dog.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. You can also store it in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 1 month for long term storage.
