Homemade Dog Food Recipes, Nutrition, and Tips
Maybe you’ve seen advertisements about fresh dog food. But did you know that you can save money—and keep your companions’ food vegan—by making homemade dog food? According to leading canine nutritional experts, homemade vegan dog food can keep your pup happy and healthy with the right nutrients and a little prep.
If the idea of vegan dog food is a new concept to you, remember: Companion animals are domestic. They don’t roam forests for food; they eat what we give them. And what we typically give them with commercial dog food—rendered bits of diseased cows, horses, or cancerous chickens—hardly qualifies as “natural.”
Homemade vegan dog food is also a game-changer for dogs with allergies: Making your own dog food lets you take full control of what goes in the bowl—so you can avoid the ingredients that trigger reactions. And many times, you can join your canine companion and eat the meal, too!
Key Supplements for Homemade Dog Food
Dogs usually adapt well to vegan dog food, but they require L-carnitine and taurine, which must be supplemented to prevent heart disease like dilated cardiomyopathy. These supplements are widely available at health food stores.
Digestive enzymes can also help animals on cooked or processed diets, and raw vegetables should be grated or blended to aid digestion.
Must-Have Ingredients in Homemade Dog Food
Let’s talk essentials.
- Whole grains: rice, quinoa, millet, oats
- Legumes: lentils, chickpeas, black beans
- Veggies: carrots, sweet potatoes, broccoli, bell peppers
- Healthy fats: olive oil, flaxseed
- High-protein extras: tofu, nutritional yeast, peanut butter
- Superfoods: pumpkin, turmeric, blueberries
Notice that there are zero animal-derived ingredients on this list? A study published in the journal PLOS One concluded that well-balanced vegan meals are one of the healthiest and least risky food options for dogs. Vegan dog food helps other animals, too.
Most animals used for food are crammed by the thousands into wire cages, metal crates, or other extremely restrictive enclosures inside filthy, windowless sheds. Most won’t even feel the sun’s warmth until workers force them onto trucks headed for slaughterhouses. We can take a stand against this cycle of cruelty and violence by ditching animal-derived ingredients.
Ensuring Safe, Adequate Nutrition
The handy thing about commercially available vegan dog food is that it generally has everything dogs require nutritionally and at the correct ratios, so we don’t have to think too hard about it. Making dog food from scratch requires much more planning regarding macro- and micronutrients. Check out a Veterinary Manual or consult a board-certified veterinary nutritionist for guidance.
Be careful! Some foods that are safe for humans can be dangerous for dogs. Avoid chocolate, onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, avocado, anything with xylitol (a common sweetener), and macadamia nuts. Even small amounts of these foods can cause serious harm, so it’s best to keep them out of reach and off the menu.
An expert in the field adds: Please remember to introduce dogs to a new food gradually. This means replacing a portion of the current food with the new food and increasing the amount of new food while decreasing the amount of old food over a period of 10 days or so.
After switching dogs to a vegan food, monitor them closely to make sure that their new diet agrees with them—especially if they are still puppies. Most dogs’ health improves on a balanced vegan diet, but occasionally, an animal may not thrive.
And before changing your canine companion’s diet, it’s always wise to consult your veterinarian.
DIY Dog Food Recipes
1. Vegan Dog Food Meal Featuring Sweet Potato
2. Vegan Dog Food Featuring Edamame
3. Black-Eyed Pea Stew Dog Food with Tofu
4. Vegan Dog Food Featuring Peanut Butter
5. Vegan Dog Food With Carrots
6. Vegan Dog Food Featuring Brown Rice
7. Vegan Dog Food With Chickpeas
8. Vegan Dog Food Featuring Red Lentils
9. Protein-Packed (Accidentally) Vegan Dog Food
10. 6 Easy Vegan Dog Food Recipes
Today, And Every Day, Go Vegan
If you can’t make your dog meals daily, check out these vegan dog-food brands to keep the tails wagging. And if you are a new vegan—or you’d like to share vegan living with your family and friends—order your free vegan starter kit today!
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