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 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.
What is the demand for vegan dog food? ›
Vegan dog food market is expected to grow at a growth rate of 12.0% in the forecast period 2021 to 2028. Increasing demand of the premium quality product which will act as a factor for the vegan dog food market in the forecast period of 2021- 2028.
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.
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.
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.
How do vegan dogs get protein? ›
Primary protein
Conventionally, these amino acids are primarily provided through either a singular or a combination of animal meats, meals, and by-products. A vegan diet provides the same amino acids through plants such as legumes, peas, beans, nuts, seeds, and grains.
Does PETA think dogs should be vegan? ›
Many vegan dogs and cats enjoy excellent health, and a vegan diet for your companion animal is ethically consistent with animal rights philosophy. Making vegetarian food for dogs is easy because dogs, like people, are omnivorous and usually hearty eaters.
How long can dogs be vegan? ›
Researchers from the University of Guelph collected and analysed data from over 1,400 dog guardians across Canada and the US for the study which found that dogs on plant-based diets had a mean lifespan of 14.1 years, based on a sample of 103 dogs, compared to a mean 12.6 years for those on meat-based diets.
Is vegan dog food expensive? ›
The Price Of Manufacturing 'Novel' Food
Another reason why we'll see plant-based dog food become more affordable as it becomes more mainstream is to do with manufacturing. A practical but boring answer to why plant-based pet food is more expensive is because it's still a relatively new concept.
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.
Good homemade food for healthy dogs includes all the vitamins, calcium, proteins and minerals your pet needs to stay healthy. You can add ground beef, chicken, lamb or venison, as well as vegetables, such as zucchini, carrots, parsnips, beets, yams, butternut squash, and sweet potatoes.
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).
Was the oldest dog vegan? ›
Bramble lived in the UK and held the Guinness World Record for being the oldest living dog at the time. What's the most amazing thing about this story is that Bramble actually lived on a vegan diet of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains (no meat, eggs, and dairy).
Can a dog eat a banana? ›
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.
Should vets be vegan? ›
Some authors say that in order to really fulfill the commitment to "ensure the health and welfare of animals," veterinarians should practice veganism, which has been characterized as a philosophy and way of life that rejects animal exploitation and cruelty. However, others believe that going vegan is a choice.
Is vegetarian dog food good for dogs with allergies? ›
Nonetheless, some dogs have such severe food allergies that their veterinarian may recommend a specialized vegetarian dog food, usually under the supervision of a veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist.
