Five Vegetarian Dog Food Recipes

While dogs need to consume a lot of protein to survive, they aren't carnivores and can actually survive on vegetarian dog food. However, vegetables alone won't cut it. Protein still needs to be a staple in your dog's diet, so be sure to include beans, dairy, eggs or protein supplements when moving to a vegetarian diet.

#1. Vegetable Stew

Heat olive oil and a little garlic in a pan. Add the following vegetables, cut into slices:

  • a large sweet pepper
  • a medium zucchini
  • a medium yellow squash
  • a medium eggplant
  • a potato

Bring this mixture to a boil and then let it simmer for a half hour. Add a little oregano or basil and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for another 15 minutes.

Let it cool before serving to your dog. If you'd like, you can add shredded cheese to the top. Serve with beans, a raw egg or a protein supplement to ensure your dog is receiving the appropriate amount of protein.

#2. Vegetarian Dog Food

Mix:

  • one cup quick cooking oats
  • 1/4 cup soy flour or soy milk powder
  • 1/4 cup wheat bran
  • one tablespoon soy lechithin
  • one tablespoon yeast
  • one tablespoon wheat germ
  • one tablespoon ground sunflower seeds
  • 1/4 tablespoon molasses
  • one teaspoon ground flax seed
  • 1/2 tablespoon oil

Soak the mixture for in hot water for about 20 minutes and serve. You can pre-make these meals and then keep refrigerated and frozen. This will serve as a daily meal for a small dog. For medium or large dogs, double the recipe.

You can also add ground pinto beans for additional protein.

#3. Vegetable Chowder

  1. Heat two red potatoes in two cups of water
  2. Remove potatoes but save the water
  3. Cook the two regular potatoes with two tablespoons olive oil and a clove of garlic
  4. Add three cups fresh corn and cook for five minutes
  5. Add 3/4 cup cooked kidney beans and potato water and boil
  6. Simmer until corn is tender
  7. Blend red potatoes and 3/4 cup milk in a blender or food processor and add to simmering chowder
  8. Add salt and pepper to taste

This can be served to your dog as a meal.

#4. Vegetable Cookies

Mash a cup of vegetables, such as:

  • peas
  • green beans
  • squash
  • zucchini
  • carrots

Add with an egg, 1/3 cup applesauce, a cup of cooked rice and a teaspoon of brewer's yeast.

Drop small (about a teaspoonful) balls of mixture onto a cookie sheet and cook at 350 degrees for 12 minutes. Store in the refrigerator or freezer.

These can be given as treats or with a balanced meal.

#5. Veggie Biscuits

  • Mix three cups parsley and 1/4 cup carrots, finely chopped with a couple tablespoons olive oil
  • Mix 2 3/4 cups whole wheat flour, two tablespoons bran and two teaspoons baking powder
  • Combine with vegetables.
  • Mix this with 1/2 to one cup of water. The dough should be moist but not wet.
  • Knead dough and roll out.
  • Use a cookie cutter to create cookies.
  • Cook on a cookie sheet for 20 to 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

This aren't a substitute for a healthy meal but will serve as a healthy and delicious treat for your dog.

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