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. 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.
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.
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.
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 upset stomach and digestive problems.
Dog food coming out of the oven.
Store in an air-tight container.
Our dog, Maggie, scarfing down her homemade food.
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.
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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